Input needed...Did I get it too thin?

[jruther2]

I'm trying to make another wallet set of picks and I keep messing up on the rake. Have I gotten the leading edge too thin?
Sorry the pics aren't the best but you get the idea. Should I proceed with finishing this rake or just scrap it and start all over...for the third time!

Rake.jpg

Rake and Peterson.jpg

[ToolyMcgee]

That's all? The leading edge is too long, and it's not perfectly uniform in thickness, but it's in the right direction. I think that's a good thing. Your shaft could be wee bit thinner though. The master Raimundo makes them very thin and flexible. How thick is the material, and what is the steel?

[jruther2]

That's all? The leading edge is too long, and it's not perfectly uniform in thickness, but it's in the right direction. I think that's a good thing. Your shaft could be wee bit thinner though. The master Raimundo makes them very thin and flexible. How thick is the material, and what is the steel?

Ha ha, I should have mentioned that this is in the very intermediate stage. I had planned on shortening the leading edge and getting it more uniform IF I proceed. Same thing with the shaft getting thinned out. I just kinda freaked when I took off more of the leading edge at one time than I meant to.
Material is 0.03" Starrett feeler gauge stock. Usually gets down to around 0.025" to 0.027" by the time all the sanding and polishing is done.

[LocksmithArmy]

ok... i have to sa the leading edge there is too thin... I dont really wanna say it but id hafta scrap it man...

that pickset I made based on your plans... sadly I just broke the bogota

raimundo says the thickness should be uniform all the way down the pick, because if you dont the picks will break, it causes weak spots... that was the problem with the one I made, if you look at the pictures id bet you can see where it broke lol...

I will be remaking it eventualy because I really liked that design... the coolest part is I can still use the tensor end o the bogota and the hook, so Im still carrying the picks..

il stop rambling but id start over on your rake... sorry

[jruther2]

ok... i have to sa the leading edge there is too thin... I dont really wanna say it but id hafta scrap it man...

that pickset I made based on your plans... sadly I just broke the bogota

raimundo says the thickness should be uniform all the way down the pick, because if you dont the picks will break, it causes weak spots... that was the problem with the one I made, if you look at the pictures id bet you can see where it broke lol...

I will be remaking it eventualy because I really liked that design... the coolest part is I can still use the tensor end o the bogota and the hook, so Im still carrying the picks..

il stop rambling but id start over on your rake... sorry

Thanks for the input man.
Out of curiosity, what kind of material are you using for yours and what thickness?

[LocksmithArmy]

Im using .025Inch feeler gauge...
i have no idea what kind of steel it is... but its steel lol

[ChicoSlim803]

this is probably a dumb ? but where do you get feeler gauge stock?

[ratyoke]

I get feeler gauge from McMaster.com. I use the high carbon steel kind, and buy it in 12" pieces.

[jruther2]

Yeah, McMaster is the easiest place to get it but I'm a cheapo so to this point I've waited around until I find good deals on eBay

[ratyoke]

I live not too far from their Chicago warehouse, so I can go pick up my order there and I don't have to pay for shipping.

[jruther2]

I live not too far from their Chicago warehouse, so I can go pick up my order there and I don't have to pay for shipping.

Very cool! Do you buy enough at one time to get a qty. discount?

[ratyoke]

I usually buy packs of 12, so theres a little bit of a discount.

[uklockpicker]

Stainless steel wiper blades inserts are strong and flexable too, just adding to this as i dont wont to repeat what others have said.
Looks like another quility pick set in the making

[jruther2]

Stainless steel wiper blades inserts are strong and flexable too, just adding to this as i dont wont to repeat what others have said.
Looks like another quility pick set in the making

Thanks for the kind words pal! I love wiper inserts for a good strong pick just can't use them for the wallet sets because I need to start out with stock that is at least 1/2 inch wide so the other end can be used as a tensor. I know, technically, it its possible to put a flat bend at the end of an insert but honestly I just don't like doing it and I'm afraid that the heat necessary to make the flat bend might transfer to the business end because the overall length of the tool is quite short.