Pick Makin Newbie... The Saga Begins!

[Lumpy]

I might as well jump in with both feet.

This hobby gives me so many challenges, which includes tinkering time
in the garage.

Got these in today.

It's Starrett 12" .028 SS Feeler Gauge. Wasn't cheap at $2.00/ea. I equate that to
$1/pick which is not bad I guess. Got 30 pieces to start. lol

I know some may say .028 is too thick. It won't take much for me to get the tips
down to .025 on the sander. Easier to remove some than to add some down the
road.

Let my trials begin. Follow me along if your bored and want a good laugh.

Tips and feedback are always welcome.

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[Aedalas]

You're not going to notice 3 thousandths of an inch much at all. Also, sanding will take care of most of that anyways, if not all.

Without knowing what you're doing I can't offer much in the way of tips, but quenching is important.

Also, if you have a spare piece of 2x4 laying around I highly recommend making a bench pin. I wouldn't even attempt to make a pick without one now. With a Rai groove of course. If your bench and chair are the right height you don't even have to attach it, I pin mine between my leg and the underside of my bench and it works out great.

If you use a Dremel or grinder to shape it (quench!) finish using a flat file to make a nice straight edge.

Oh, and round files make a good start for a hook. Just file straight down then file away the shaft side with a flat file, the piece that is left is the inside curve of your hook already shaped for you.

As for sanding, go to at least 1000 grit in my opinion. 400 is "enough" but mirror finishes look better. I go to 2000 with mine.

Also on the subject of sanding, if you have an old sanding drum for a Dremel you can cut strips of 1000 grit sandpaper (or 400 or whatever) and superglue it to an old drum. Just make sure you pay attention to the Dremels rotation when you make your overlap.

[Lumpy]

I have a bench sander w/1" vertical and 4" horizontal, a decent dremel and hand
files. I figured with all that I could do some damage.

I think I follow what you mean with the bench pin. Basically a wood vise? clamp
kinda deal?

Rai groove? ya lost me there.

Quenching makes sense.

I'm going to work on some templates tonight. Hoping to start Sunday and give
this a go.

I'll take pics as I go.

You're not going to notice 3 thousandths of an inch much at all. Also, sanding will take care of most of that anyways, if not all.

Without knowing what you're doing I can't offer much in the way of tips, but quenching is important.

Also, if you have a spare piece of 2x4 laying around I highly recommend making a bench pin. I wouldn't even attempt to make a pick without one now. With a Rai groove of course. If your bench and chair are the right height you don't even have to attach it, I pin mine between my leg and the underside of my bench and it works out great.

If you use a dremel or grinder to shape it (quench!) finish using a flat file to make a nice straight edge.

Oh, and round files make a good start for a hook. Just file straight down then file away the shaft side with a flat file, the piece that is left is the inside curve of your hook already shaped for you.

[Aedalas]

This is a basic bench pin.

The Rai grove is from Raimundo, the guy who invented the Bogata rake. It's basically just a grove you cut in the bench pin that you lay your material in to hold it in place while you file. It beats clamping because it takes a second to put it in and take it out so inspecting your work is much, much faster. Also a vice can easily damage your metal.

Here is a picture of mine. You can also make marks to save measurements. The ones on mine are for the grove placements when making Bogatas. The picture isn't great but you can sort of see how the groove works.

IMG_20120323_195101.jpg

You can't really see it but there is also a groove cut on the corner that I use for shaping the tip of my picks. The great thing about bench pins is that you can customize them any way you want and all it takes is a saw. If you wear one out or screw it up somehow, it's just a piece of 2x4, grab another one and start over.

Also note the small burn mark near the front. If you're grinding on a piece of metal and you don't quench enough the wood will let you know. If you smell smoke dip it fast.

[Lumpy]

10-4 That is awesome!

I'll craft something like that up tonight.

Thanks for all the info!

This is a basic bench pin.

The Rai grove is from Raimundo, the guy who invented the Bogata rake. It's basically just a grove you cut in the bench pin that you lay your material in to hold it in place while you file. It beats clamping because it takes a second to put it in and take it out so inspecting your work is much, much faster. Also a vice can easily damage your metal.

Here is a picture of mine. You can also make marks to save measurements. The ones on mine are for the grove placements when making Bogatas. The picture isn't great but you can sort of see how the groove works.

IMG_20120323_195101.jpg

You can't really see it but there is also a groove cut on the corner that I use for shaping the tip of my picks. The great thing about bench pins is that you can customize them any way you want and all it takes is a saw. If you wear one out or screw it up somehow, it's just a piece of 2x4, grab another one and start over.

Also note the small burn mark near the front. If you're grinding on a piece of metal and you don't quench enough the wood will let you know. If you smell smoke dip it fast.

[Aedalas]

Check out this video to see the bench pin and the groove in action. Also a lot of great advice from a master pick maker.

[Lumpy]

Ok, first off, NO LAUGHING!!!

This is attempt #1.

I learned a few things :

1) Pick making is not as easy as it looks.
2) Quench lots!
3) Go easy on the bench grinder!
4) Drinking while pick making doesn't help with design. (Don't drink your quenching water!)

Doesn't work that great, it did before I went at it with the
dremel for the 18th million time. Does ok but nothing spectacular.

Not sure what design I was aiming for.

I dub thee - Lumpy Bastard #1

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[LocksmithArmy]

other than the fact that it looks like you cut the tip off a bogota... the evenness of your metal looks good, you dont have any super thin points and its rounded nicely... id go with a great effort especially for your first attepmt...

although... id suggest starting your attempts with an easier design... like a hook or half diamond lol... they are harder to mess up... still possible tho

[Aedalas]

although... id suggest starting your attempts with an easier design... like a hook or half diamond lol... they are harder to mess up... still possible tho

I think it was my 6th Bogata that I didn't scrap, and about my 10th that I was actually happy with. Those things have a harsh learning curve. Hooks are fairly easy, half diamonds have been, by far, the easiest.

[Violaetor]

Very decent, like others said start off simple, half-diamond is by far the easiest, just angles - no curves to fool around with.

[pin_pusher]

4) Drinking while pick making doesn't help with design. (Don't drink your quenching water!)

it's given me some pretty interesting designs in the past, but interesting doesn't often mean useful. what you've done looks pretty good so far, however.

[Aedalas]

I was thinking about making Bogatas a bit more, and I have a suggestion for you. Get a piece of windshield wiper insert. They make for great practice, just file your notches and if they don't look right just snip off the end. You should be able to make a dozen attempts (total guess) from just one piece. While your metal will be better for an actual pick, WW inserts are free (depending) and good "scrap" for some trial and error. The trashcans outside the auto parts store has been a great source for mine. Also, if you do make one that you like, they make great padlock Bogatas since they're a bit smaller. Not to mention they're handy to have for tension wrenches.

[piotr]

Okay for a first attempt. Persevere. It is better than some other first attempts that I have seen.