homeade tubular pick

[tshock]

Is there such a thing? I am trying to make one but am having trouble finding the right size cylinder to make the tensor out of.

[n2oah]

I had an idea for one once but I never got to it. I would be willing to help you with designing it if you want.

[Chrispy]

Bullet casings maybe? I heard some discussion on them a while back.

[raimundo]

I use a key, I get a locksmith to cut a key to the eighth depth in all the spaces, if your locksmith tells you there is no eighth depth, ask for the seventh depth, difference between fort lock and ace lock terminology.
the pickup for the slot in the center stemof the the lock needs to be hard soldered on, if you know a jeweler, he will understand the process, there may also be other ways of doing it, such as drilling a hole and makeing the stem pickup with a hard wire such as bike spoke. Or you can just forget about the center pickup, its not strictly necessary as the pins will act as pickups to drive the center stem around. But I soldered the pickup on, and ground off all the metal that normally holds it in place. this metal would get in the way of the rubber o rings otherwise. Digital Blue has seen the pick, among others. there is even a photo of it in the locksports@yahoogroups photos page, its in the collage with the cover of "the art of manipulation" book. I cut grooves from the 8 depth cuts centered by the locksmiths cuts, I used a set of four inch needle files, 4 inch needle files are smaller than the needle files you have seen in the hardware store, look at a jewelers supply house, there are some of these that are cataloge stores so if there is none in your area, you could get one from a cataloge store. to cut the grooves, I start with a triangular file to center the line from the cut through the end of the key tube, then I widen the v groove with a round file which leaves it a u groove, then I use a knife file, to under cut the edges. do not start with the file that most represents the groove you want at the finish, as this will tend to drift if you do not prepare the slots with the v and the o files. I have the bit of keyshaft that I leave on the tube soldered on, and i cover this with fimo, the heat setting moldable plastic that can be bought i art supplly stores. I put this on a little thicker than the finished shaft I want and after heat setting it, I file it down to the size I want. the sliders are made from bobby pins, (hair pins) these have to be thinned out for the last quarter inch as this is the part that goes into the keyway. there may be other options for extending the barrel of the key, one would be to drill it and braze on a piece of rod or just use a bolt . I use black rubber o rings for the rubber component, found in the plumbing aisle of the hardware store. this is just a brief discription of the process, it may depend on what craftsmanship you have now or are willing to develope to make one. but the keys are the best foundation for a homemade pick.

[digital_blue]

Yes, I have seen and used Ray's homemade tubular pick and I've gotta say I was pretty freakin' impressed with it. Looked fantastic! Worked better than it looked! I only wish I had half the skillz it would take to muster one up. Ray, if you're ever looking to part with that baby, you know where to find me.

db

[Nasydave]

I'm trying to work on one now. I'm using a 6" piece of 3/8" brass tubing (any hobby store) with a 5 1/2" wood dowel in the center (to hold the tension pin at the end. I then have a 3" piece of the next larger brass tubing around the outside, sliding freely.

I'm taking small music wire and putting about 50 pieces around the tube. These are guided by a small o-ring on the smaller tube, and when they get to the larger sliding piece of tubing, I have two larger o-rings with a hose clamp around them.

In theory, I just have to insert it (the wood dowel keeps it from going very far into the keyhole). When I slide the larger piece in and out, the misic wire should catch on the pins and push backwards despite the pressure of the hose clamp.

I will probably finish it late this week. If it works, I'll post a pic or two. I have the southord picks, but I have an idea for a super pick, so I'm testing a couple different things.

[raimundo]

I wouldnt use that hose clamp, try more orings or smaller ones, the hose clamp cannot create anything like even tension unless its really on too tight, and with all that tube length, there is no reason why you cant add more o rings.