One pick to rule them all…

[Neilau]

And at the shear line bind them.

Sorry guys. This will be the last pick post … for a while.

I’m posting this one as there is a story to it.

Having just made all these picks I thought “if I could only carry one pick, what would it be”?

The two picks that I use about 90% of the time (on pin tumblers) are the Bogota style and a short/medium hook.

As I wanted to make a double ender I needed a longer blank than the engineers shims that I use. I read Esher7's post on bi metal hack saw blades and Escher7 being a knife maker I respect his knowledge of metals. I could not find any of the brands that he mentioned in his post so purchased the most expensive bi metal blade (HSS flexible) that the local hardware store stocked.

I have made picks from hack saw blades before but they all bent and were pretty useless so I had high hopes for this blade. Unfortunately, after I made it and tried it out on a couple of locks it also bent. Also unfortunate because it was one of the best Bogota tips I’ve yet made . The blade was probably made in China as there is no country of origin marked on it and the local store usually sells cheap ass junk.

I’m not doubting what Escher7 said about the bi metal blades just that I could not get any of the brands that he mentioned. SO, the message is… not all HSS bi metal blades are of the necessary quality for pick making.

The rest of the story is about a happy discovery from a balls up that I made. To make the shape a little different I ground out a large curve on the bottom of the pick. When I put the scales on and went to grind them to the shape of the curve (using the front wheel of a belt sander) I ground the wrong side – the top. After a few curses I found that this shape is the MOST comfortable that I have ever held.

Future picks I make will have a flat bottom - the curve on the one in the picture is unnecessary - and a deep curve on the top.

Anyone making picks should give this shape a try and see what you think.

So, the whole process was not a waste – it never is, as even when things go wrong, you learn something.

So that’s the story and here’s the pick before I bent it.

Note, I did not finish it to the degree that I normally would.

new pick.jpg

[magician59]

Well done!

[Oldfast]

Ha! That's great!

Funny when you think about it - some of the greatest discoveries and inventions
throughout history were a direct result of a blunder. You my friend have put in a
LOT of time and made a lot of pics. It was only a matter of time that one of your
blunders happened to be in your favor! A WELL DESERVED discovery I'd say!


p.s.

.....Sorry guys. This will be the last pick post … for a while.

What?!

[Doogs]

Thanks Neilau:
I see we are facing a common dilemma!

I was debating whether to use sawzall blades ( I use the term sawzall to represent Milwaukee blades specifically as they are in my opinion superior as opposed to generic reciprocating saw blades).
They are too thick however for picks and realised I would lose the temper with grinding. So I tried common butter knives after reading, I believe oldfasts, comments, som eluck but less than ideal. anyway still hunting for the botch-up material for picks

Looking f orward to comments from others.

Sorry for the typos using an android tablet and it's overpriced crap.

[Neilau]

Thanks Oldfast.

The reason for the "last pick post … for a while" is that people are probably getting a bit tired of them

But mainly, it now being summer here and we have had some really good rain -- there is a shit load of mowing, spraying, repairs and general maintenance etc. to take up a lot of my time -- or so the better half keeps telling me.

"If you were to spend half as much time on - you name it - as you do on your locks and picks ......."

You get the picture.

Actually she is right...........but I CAN'T help it...... it's an obsession....

It won't be the last post though. I'll sneak in more picks and pics and maybe a post on what I've learnt regarding pick making, metals etc.. Though most of it has been covered by others, more qualified than me, I have made a few discoveries that might be of assistance to people who are just starting to make picks./.

Thanks again for all the encouragement.

[Doogs]

Neilau don't disappear on us. hide in the shed and sneak posts out or something. Sorry being selfish go have some fun snuggle with the Sheila and enjoy the weather mate. It's all good.

Hope nobody read this before the edit!

[Neilau]

Doogs.

I've been using engineers feeler gauges that I bought on Amazon . They are 5 inches long, 1/2 inch wide and 25 thou. thick. They are called Precision Brand, come in all different thicknesses and are reasonably priced.

http://www.amazon.com/Precision-Brand-PBK-30-Carbon-Feeler/dp/B002SPS8X6/ref=sr_1_21?ie=UTF8&qid=1418616827&sr=8-21&keywords=feeler+gauges+shims

These are for 30 thou which would be OK but they have them in all sizes.

The come in packets of 10 - (for $3.11. You can't beat that) and I haven't bent one yet. They look the same as Nozza uses.

The other option is a GOOD set of SS feeler gauges (not the cheap Chinese ones). Get the longer ones. Use the 20 to 32 thou ones and the thinner ones can be used for special applications.

Hope that helps.

PS. Thanks, I don't intend to disappear just yet.

[Doogs]

Bloody marvelous Neilau:

Now that you mention it I remember reading about feeler gauges! Now if I can just find them locally. I was going to buy some shim stock from Acklands Grainger but the price is excessive.

P.S. Sorry for the typos and the confusing rambling went for dinner and ended up over-socialising.

[g_kinz]

beautiful work man