did i buy the wrong stuff for making picks?

by **nextlevel** » 29 Jul 2005 18:33

I just picked up a classic 1/3 hp craftsman dual bench grinder that looks older then me (25). and I got some high speed steel hacksaw blades. they seem to be very bendable and not stiff like the video by pyro. any suggestions as sence i picked up this grinder so cheap I would like to get started tonight even though my 32 pcs. pick set is on it's way from lockpickshop.com

i also bought some "buck Bros." alloy tool steel jr. hacksaw blades. I am located in Grand Rapids MI in the USA and have lowes/home depot/and menards all close by.

thanks for any help.

by **Chrispy** » 29 Jul 2005 18:53

What you have sounds fine. Just make a couple of picks and wrenches from what you have and if they work well (ie. don't bend out of shape, break, polish up well, etc.) then make more.

by **nextlevel** » 29 Jul 2005 18:57

well I just made a dummy (it's for file cabinets and such) and it is bending all out of place......i am lost and wanna hit one of the stores soon to get the right stuff.......... :cry:

by **Santos718** » 29 Jul 2005 19:53

I find a dremel easier to use. But if you do buy one, make sure you have adjustable speed(rpm). They also don't take up as much space as a bench grinder(which was a bad choice).

by **Chrispy** » 29 Jul 2005 20:01

Santos718 wrote:I find a dremel easier to use. But if you do buy one, make sure you have adjustable speed(rpm). They also don't take up as much space as a bench grinder(which was a bad choice).

You need both, a bench grinder and a dremel. It may cost you more, but in the long run your tools will last longer and your picks will be easier to make. A bench grinder is never a bad choice. :wink:

by **Shrub** » 29 Jul 2005 20:23

nextlevel wrote:well I just made a dummy (it's for file cabinets and such) and it is bending all out of place......i am lost and wanna hit one of the stores soon to get the right stuff..........

Are you meaning it is bending when you are grinding it? if so what you are doing is dangourus, stop it and read you grinder instructions, if you still cant work it out come back and ask me, im not telling you straight away or else you will not learn.

If it is bending after you have ground it then you have got it too hot, keep dunking the blade in cold clean water every few secs to keep it cool, if it puts a lot steam off youve got it too hot,

Bendy hacksaw blades tend to be better than the stiff ones and they will last longer, the hard ones should realy be tempered a little as they are too brittle from stock.

by **nextlevel** » 29 Jul 2005 22:03

no i think now i got the right stuff. I had sum super duper bendable stuff and it would not even break for me to make it half the blade length

by **nextlevel** » 29 Jul 2005 22:25

maybe i take that back as the stuff noew is 8% cobalt and will not break....ior i am that weak............any ideas of what to buy???

by **Mad Mick** » 29 Jul 2005 22:31

You got the right blades...the ones which snap when bent in the same manner are the ones to stay away from.

When grinding, if you forget the 1, 2, 3, quench method, your bare fingers should remind you when to quench before the temper is ruined. :wink:

Make sure the tool-rest is adjusted as close to the grinding wheel as possible. Also, make sure to protect your eyes...you only get one pair.

Once the rough shape is ground out, switch to a rotary tool for finish work. (if you don't have a rotary tool, use a very light touch on the grinding wheel - since the grinder is pretty old, you may need to get a dressing tool and 'true' the wheels)

Next, use progressively finer wet 'n dry sandpaper, to remove all the rough edges from the picks and smooth to a nice finish.

by **Santos718** » 29 Jul 2005 22:36

Santos718 wrote:I find a dremel easier to use. But if you do buy one, make sure you have adjustable speed(rpm). They also don't take up as much space as a bench grinder(which was a bad choice).

dang it I meant to say..which wasn't a bad choice...I'm having trouble with this keyboard. its being gay.

by **nextlevel** » 29 Jul 2005 22:43

so then maybe i am more far lost then i thought. I got a really crappy first pick. i think i am going home now to sulk in my horrible pain of not being able to make a pick and drown myself in sum icecream or sumthing...if any body has any ideas u can IM me

AIM: grandrapidsbest

by **Chrispy** » 29 Jul 2005 22:59

Practice makes perfect

by **nextlevel** » 29 Jul 2005 23:04

by **Shrub** » 30 Jul 2005 5:57

My best advice is for you to actually read the threads on making picks from hacksaw blades,

Get your bendy pick and heat it up to the brightest red you can and then dunk it into a bucket of water and stir it around for a few seconds,

Then polish your pick so that it is shiney all over,

Then re heat your pick until it is a staw colour and then dunk it in the water again,

This should sort it out, if not throw it away and just use NORMAL run of the mill hacksaw blades, dont get the rubbish with bits of differant metal in just get the bog standard blades, bi metal blades are slightly better but dont go out your way,

by **helix** » 30 Jul 2005 6:07

Chrispy wrote:Practice makes perfect

err, I beg to differ

did i buy the wrong stuff for making picks?

did i buy the wrong stuff for making picks?

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