Pick making steel questions

[Bryanxwhite]

I was doing some research to find some really strong steel to make pils out of. I found this website www.onlinemetals.com . It looks like they have a great selection of metal and small sizes for pick making. I went with D-2 tool steel. It has a high hardness rating and resistance to wear and flexing. Here's the steel I was looking to get http://www.onlinemetals.com/merchant.cf ... op_cat=131 . Any comments would be great. Want to know what the veteran pick makers think about this type of steel.

[jruther2]

The stuff you are looking at is 0.0625" thick which is about three times thicker than what you need it to be. You will not be happy trying to thin that stuff down to the 0.020"-0.025" range.

If you want to compare steel properties, there is a pretty good tool here: http://zknives.com/knives/steels/steelchart.php You can select metals from the chart and graph the properties to give you a quick visual comparison.

In my humble opinion, the best cost/benefit ratio is achieved by using feeler gauge stock. Lately I've been using Starrett brand because I came across a couple of good deals on ebay but I have also used Precision brand and I can't notice a difference between the two.

I'm sure there are people here who have had success with other metals as well. I've just mentioned what I like best after having tried many various metals which includes hacksaw blades, reciprocating saw blades, band saw blades, wiper inserts, street sweeper bristles, sink snake, kitchen knives, and probably some other random metals that I am forgetting to mention right now. I will say that sink snake gets an honorable mention but you have to be aware that it is spring steel so it has a bit of a different feel than more rigid metals such as those that are used for feeler gauge. Here is a link that will show you what the package of the sink snake looks like: http://compare.ebay.com/like/250559533337?ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar&rvr_id=217313743740&crlp=1_263602_304662&UA=L*F%3F&GUID=8384f6d612e0a0366160b2f0ffbe7c6e&itemid=250559533337&ff4=263602_304662, but you can get the stuff at Walmart. If you are new to pick making, I would suggest using this stuff first as it is very easy to work with and it makes good quality picks.

[Bryanxwhite]

Thanks so much, I really appreciate the response and info. I will be ordering some feeler gauge stock on monday. Which size will be the best? I read on here some suggest .035. But it doesn't hurt to have multiple sizes. I know the Medeco Biaxial's have a really tight key way. My Southord max 08 is too wide to fit the biaxial.

[jruther2]

Thickness from 0.020" all the way up to 0.025" will will get in most locks and will still be plenty strong enough as long as you don't ruin the temper while you are making the pick.

Here is the page of the first seller I found on ebay by doing a quick search for feeler stock: http://shop.ebay.com/arndtinc/m.html?_trksid=p4340.l2562 He has pretty good prices but you may be able to find better.

[Bryanxwhite]

What material are you using for a handle? The square brass stock that Kokomolock used seems like or would work well.

[jruther2]

What material are you using for a handle? The square brass stock that Kokomolock used seems like or would work well.

G10. Lots of info, especially from Sandman and HC, in this thread: http://keypicking.com/viewtopic.php?f=39&t=4195&hilit=g10

[clodester]

In my humble opinion, the best cost/benefit ratio is achieved by using feeler gauge stock. Lately I've been using Starrett brand because I came across a couple of good deals on ebay but I have also used Precision brand and I can't notice a difference between the two.

Do you mean you buy a set of gauges and dremel/grinder them to your design? Or do you mean steel supplies used for gauges? Because in my mind (though only ever having used either hacksaw blades or scrap SS) the gauges look too short/small.

But great idea for finding decent steel for picks though

[jruther2]

In my humble opinion, the best cost/benefit ratio is achieved by using feeler gauge stock. Lately I've been using Starrett brand because I came across a couple of good deals on ebay but I have also used Precision brand and I can't notice a difference between the two.

Do you mean you buy a set of gauges and dremel/grinder them to your design? Or do you mean steel supplies used for gauges? Because in my mind (though only ever having used either hacksaw blades or scrap SS) the gauges look too short/small.

But great idea for finding decent steel for picks though

I mean that I buy a 20' roll of steel of a specific thickness like the one here: http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-STARRETT-666-25-THICKNESS-GAUGE-FEELER-STOCK-20-/250771863337?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a632af729

[aka.decoy]

I was doing some research to find some really strong steel to make pils out of. I found this website www.onlinemetals.com . It looks like they have a great selection of metal and small sizes for pick making. I went with D-2 tool steel. It has a high hardness rating and resistance to wear and flexing. Here's the steel I was looking to get http://www.onlinemetals.com/merchant.cf ... op_cat=131 . Any comments would be great. Want to know what the veteran pick makers think about this type of steel.

I agree with jruther2, and I know you've pretty much decided on the feeler stock already (I would too, starret is an awesome brand) but I'll give you MHO about the D-2 steel anyway. Since the D-2 stock is too thick and precision ground, you'll be paying extra for something you're just going to have to grind down anyway. Speaking of grinding, if you notice in the description it said D-2 is "non-free machining". That generally means the material is harder to machine, but it's properties/performance are awesome...........but awesome for what? Which properties? It's some pretty hard shit, but If you're heavy handed and have a pick hand ground down to .020" it might look like shit and be too brittle (especially if it's ground unevenly) for you. It's great for holding a knife edge because it's so damn hard, but if you use it as a meat cleaver and chip it, it's a bitch to sharpen because it's hard to grind. Don't get me wrong though, knife steel can be relatively cheap, good quality, and dudes make great picks out of knives all the time...but they know which ones to use =) But that's just my opinion!