Bosnian bill, thanks for sharing this. I took this and ran with it. Went out and bought some rod, the bits and tap and socket screws, and presto, I have a handle, more to coming. Man alive, that is helpful!

My sweat darkens brass quickly, remove corrosion with "Ammonia" it also takes the gloss off so buff with fine steel wool. and use a coat of clear plastic spray and the color stays bright much longer. I use "Mink Oil" neutral boot polish on all my tools applying it with a soft cotton cloth and after 5 minutes buffing with dry cotton cloth. It prevents rust on tools and firearms for many months even in our damp climate. Clean and rub on more after each use.

Those look great. It is amazing the amount of "machining" you can do without machines if you put your mind to it. I have made a lot of cool (and pretty accurate) things over the years. My oldest son has taken over my shop and made a fitting shop out of it so we now have all of the cool stuff. One thing that you might want to try when drilling a hole in the center of small round material, is to clamp the drill bit in a vise and chuck the material. It tends to help keep the hole centered (like on a lathe).

Thanks DrB! Yes, I made the aluminum handles as well but they required quite a bit more machining than the brass ones. The knurling required a special knurling tool and a lathe... For this video I wanted to show how to make some really nice handles with hand tools that everyone has available.

I really like the calm, rational tone of your videos. The main idea comes through crystal clear with no distractions. To drill straight into the end of a long piece, I often put another similar piece just below it and protruding an inch or so. I can get it straighter with a visual guide close to my drill bit. You have the best lead-ins on KZread. They are often different, but always interesting. Thanks.

Thank you Bill! I Pray that you and all of yours are doing well! You are an amazing man Bill! You have my complete respect, love, & admiration!

Wow I’m impressed.. that came out amazing! Really wishing we didnt sell our house with my drill press right about now lol now im in an apartment with nothing but a small workbench and everything you showed in this video cant wait to make some

Update for European readers? 8mm brass rod. 4mm hole in end 3mm second tap and grubscrews are m3x5mm For the Goso Lock Picking Set, the picks need a nats whisker filing off the broad end to fit a 4mm hold. Thanks Bill. V.useful.

@snowylabrador4823

4 жыл бұрын

Is that 8mm diameter?

Ones imagination is the only limit. They look really good. Nice tutorial. "Looking good while not picking anything" -- LOL, love that sense of humour, and probly truer than I'd like to admit :-)

Dennis, Yeah, I replaced that bench a while back. In some of my newer videos you'll probably notice a larger, heavier bench with a brown corian top. Sturdy AND good looking. Thanks! If you see anything else that needs replacing just let me know. I've gotten used to some of the lab's shortcomings and sometimes a fresh set of eyes improves things greatly.

Drill the hole strait through then tap straight through, use 2 short set screws one on each side, this will enable you to center your pick. Just a machine tool electricians opinion.

Thanks for being so down to earth and NOT arrogant , as some are on KZread! I am new to the hobby but not life !! Thanks again for sharing a wealth of knowledge with us all!

wow, this along with your 5 part videos on how to make picks with feeler gauges, really made my day, now i got a project to do, thanks bill, keep up the gr8 work love your videos

Thank you for using inches. I can visualize this so much easier.

Just made my first set of picks and now I'm getting ready to make these handles. You're the best Bill!

I was going to start making these then realized I don't have any lock picks.. Or even know how to pick locks

@bosnianbill

6 жыл бұрын

Why let THAT stop you? 😋 The world NEEDS new lock pickers - why not get started?

These vids inspire me to get back in my shop and start making stuff. I made my first home-made pick the other day and was able to pick my defiant door lock with it :) it bent so I am going to go look for some wiper blades like your making picks videos suggested and I am excited to get back to working in the shop. TY Bill for the awesome vids.

Hi there The better way to drill a straight hole in a piece of bar is to put the bar in the drill and the drill bit in the vice, similar to what you do in a lathe. Try it I'm sure you will agree.

@jayt2257

3 жыл бұрын

Why does that work better?

@UnlikelyZebra

3 жыл бұрын

@@jayt2257 Spinning the work and keeping the drill bit secured means it'll produce a more concentric hole. I use a pin vise or a larger general brand hand vise that's basically a handheld drill chuck and hold both, holding a drill bit in a vise with this method is a good way to break drill bits if you're not careful.

Man ! you made it so beautiful videos about this quick picks.. and very nice explained. Thank you !

I can't wait to build my own customized set - really, thank you for this video! Wonderful content!

thank you Bill for making these great videos. Im sure I speak for everyone else when I say I have learned alot from you sir

Wow, those look (and probably work) great for being made with hand tools! I may try to make a knurling jig, then run the handle through before flat grinding the index line. Thanks a lot for this! I've been binging your videos since I subbed!

I have never picked a lock , I Stumbled onto your Vid by accident . I hope to learn more about it from YOU. It looks very interesting to learn ! Thanks for making this.

ur a genius love the make shift lathe im in construction and every now and then ill put a pencil in the chuck and use a hand held sharpener ..but my tiny brain never thought to use it for a lathe brilliant ty

Beautiful. i cant wait to give this a shot

Great video Bill ,much obliged

I am definitely making some dimple picks thanks for the video bill.

Nice video Bill !thanks for sharing.

fantastic tutorial...loved every minute

This I got to try. Cool picks. Keep up the good work :)

Nice tutorial. Is the first time I'm watching your vid but I will suscribe for sure. Thank you!

Brilliant video bill, thanks for pointing me to it. I want to make some but i need a few things, i'll make a list

Damn wobbly workbench!! ;)

Very cool! Nice work!

They look fantastic Bill, great tutorial Sir :o))))

Yeah, i want to look awesome while not being able to pick anything, lol. Luckily I'm off to the big smoke tonight and will be getting some supplies while I'm there. Looks like I'll be spending some more time in the dog house, oh, i mean shed....

great going to try thanks bos

nice demo of using basic hand tools.

Fantastic video Bill. Thank you for taking us through each step. I am curious about two handle options to see if you had tried/considered them as opposed to making your handles entirely from scratch. Have you ever tried using X-Acto or craft knife handles since they have a chuck in the end that is designed to accept a flat insert? The other option would be to use automotive fuel line since it is a tubing with a hole already in the middle of it and it can be purchased at hardware or automotive stores quite cheaply. One would only need to drill the hole for the allen set screw. The wall thickness may be too thin however. Anyway, thank you again for an excellent instructional video.

You've given me some inspiration​. I might make some handles out of wood.

I saw the rawhide wrap on some throwing knives my son bought and it looks good just use super-glue to hold it in place and it gives a great feel too and 1/8 by 1/8 inch lacing material of rawhide looks sharp if you die it first and wrap it with a small uniform gap between the turns (I wrap twine between the turns of rawhide as a spacer then remove the twine for a very uniform wrapping job.) {Thanks for replying.}

Awesome job

I am going to make these for a friend! now only to find the right drill bits and allen screws in metric sizes. thanks for this really informative and interresting tutorial!

@chemech

9 жыл бұрын

I3RI3 The nominal diameter on a 6-32 UNC threaded fastener is 0.138" = 3.5 mm... that's a bit of an odd size, but available with a 0.6 mm thread pitch. I'd substitute a 4 mm by 0.7 mm thread set screw (Allen or hexagonal socket, but sunk into the setscrew) 3/16" = 4.76 mm, so you'll probably be using a 5 mm long setscrew. 5/16" = 7.93 mm (there's a reason why 8 mm rifle bullets are 7.92 or 7.93 inch OD!!!) - you should be able to find 8 mm diameter rod, and 30 mm lengths are pretty common. I'd suggest that you start with aluminum - it's the easiest metal to work, and is usually cheaper than brass... It's also fairly easy to checker for additional traction for your fingers. FYI - in the US, and many other places, it is common to indicate a left-handed threaded nut by cutting a groove around the circumference, much as Bill has done to indicate his left-handed picks. If you have access to a lathe, you can turn these things out fairly easily - holding such small stock presents some challenges in itself, and drilling the center holes is also a bit tricky, as the drill bits are a bit on the fine side for most tool-room or shop lathes... On the other hand, if you are a bit of a machinist - even a hobbyist - you probably don't need me to tell you about how to do this in a shop... ;^)

outstanding videos!

chulada de trabajo maestro

well done sir - thanks

I'm pretty good at picking, but the picks I purchased although fairly strong, they didn't have any handle's on them which felt really bad, now I've seen how you made your handle's, I'm going to make some to, also thanks for the ideas on making picks from wiper blades, as luckily I've kept my old blades, not quite knowing why, well now I know, so should be able to fashion my own style of picks.... Thanks again, keep up the videos...

You should drill the hole in the handle the length of the tip so when not in use you can loosen the set screw and slide the pick down inside the handle and tighten set screw to keep it locked inside the handle, would make it easy to carry in your pocket too.

Very nice indeed.

Typically you want to chamfer the drilled hole before you tap the threads. It helps with the thread lead-in when you stsrt the tap.

Look great thanks

Wow, they look brilliant bill! I need to get a few bits and pieces to make some like that threading tool, i really liked this video and thanks for pointing it to me after i asked. Can i visit your locklab?

great video again bill,how about making the dimple picks? thats my project for tomorrow, have you done any videos showing how?

ty bill very pro looking

I'm new to this channel & to the picking world. I picked up my first set of picks about 3 months ago & I'm loving it... I'd like to make my own picks as well to fit into this handle. Are there any suggestions on how to do this? I've actually already picked up a couple old wiper blades to try. Just haven't seen anything on the the best tool's and so forth nor have I seen many instructional videos on the dimensions of different picks. Thank in advance for any feedback.

damn, that's hardcore. thanks, Man.

Whoa. 4:3 aspect ratio. This is an old one!

Bill, I don't feel making such a fancy brass set of handles is needed, I wrapped several of my picks with a layer of "Mason's line" (Used with chalk by carpenters), but, available cheap at the hardware store. I tuck the ends in and paint them with a good saturating enamel paint For thickening the handle I super-glue popsicle sticks on both sides then wrap and paint they look like antiques, I think rawhide makes a good looking wrap too.

I find it's easier to keep the axial hole centered if I mount the bit in the vise and chuck the rod in the drill. FWIW. YMMV.

Not yet, but with enough use they probably will need to be tightened. I suppose you could put a drop of locktite on it - just don't use the permanent one.

great picks and handles. do you think a beginner like myself could start with homemade picks like these?

Nice!

You used that tap all wrong bill :p.. Suppose to reverse turn every so often as you tap the hole :p But, love the vid none the less... Making my own pick set!

Awesome

I'm new to this, but instead of making a handle could you possibly use a small pin vice. You can usually buy them at hardware stores or order them online on e-bay. My only concern is that they might not grip the tip as firmly as one would like.

COOL!

you should make those and SELL THEM MAN THEY LOOK AWSOME

Hi Bill, Would a Dremel tool give you better RPMs, or is that not as much of a concern unlike making security pins?

No i haven't. To be honest, its easier to buy the SouthOrd kit. They have nice tips (with some work & polishing), but crappy handles. That's everything you'll need with the exception of a couple of Mul-T-Lock peculiar picks.

The threading tool is called a "TAP and buy the handle and matching "Twist Drill Bit" at the same time and keep them together as a set... I am a locksmith by hobby but Dad and Brother were Machinists and I always liked working in metal. As a vocational teacher I always insisted on proper vocabulary. As the first "Thing-a-majig" would mark a young professional as "IGNORANT" of his "Trade Skills". Bill, get a stronger bench, that one shakes...

hey bill, do you have a problem with the set screw backing out when your picking?

Excellent Bill - thank you. Only thing you need is a stable workbench :-)

Nice project ! I think i'll try to make the hole before rounding the shaft

@brabhamfreaman166

7 жыл бұрын

Idd. I wouldn't put all that work into rounding and smoothing, only to drill right through it.

@danielr82

7 жыл бұрын

leave the handle in the drill and put the drill bit in the vice.- that will make the drill bit self center on the handle.

nice vid

You need a more rigid work bench.

Whats the drill dimensions in metric? I really want to build these. Seems alot more fun than buying premade picks.

MantukaSNK, Sorry, but I have no experience with lever locks (yet). Perhaps if you contacted "Kokomolock" or "DrBint", they are more able to help you with skeleton keys. Thanks!

The top two remind me of xacto knife handles but shorten.

just a tip, you can use some tape on your drill bit then when the tape touches you know you went far enough.

where did you get the brass rod

nice

Hey Bill... wondering on your thoughts about this handle I found. So I was going through Menards looking for locks to practice with. I came across a Exacto Hobby knife and wondered.... how would this make for a pick handle. I bought the bigger exacto to see what I can do. it seems to work okay

@chemech

9 жыл бұрын

Cody T The number 2 handle is pretty fat... the number 1 size (these are based upon standard surgical scalpel sizes BTW) is a bit on the skinny side for folks with larger hands, but still bigger than what some of the commercially available lockpicks come with... If you look around, you can find Excel and/or Grifhold knives, and their handles come pre-knurled for better grip... they also tend to be less expensive than X-Acto brand knives... They all are made from aluminum, so they are relatively easy to modify to taste...

Can you refer me to a website to get the solid rod for the handles.

Idea: I can get a 24 pack of Exacto knife handles for $15USD. I'm thinking they would make great pick handles.

Tap oil?

Excellent video (as always) Bill. though personally i recon brass has a horrible smell when handling it for prolonged periods, also it is prone to oxidisation (which would be accelerated due to contact with sweaty hands)

@HorizonsleatherBlogspot2012

9 жыл бұрын

Just apply acrylic sealer (spray) to the brass and allow to dry. I suppose you could also use clear nail polish but I've never tried it. ;)

@chemech

9 жыл бұрын

Oink Doink It sounds like you have particularly acidic sweat - as do I... Urethane varnish - Varathane brand or similar - seals the surface, preventing tarnish... In the bad old days, we used to use lacquer to seal brass - it's not as durable as the urethane...

Its all about style !

Would using an exacto knife work for a shaft? Haven't seen one for years, can't remember how deep the blades sit in there.

@redflthcui

7 жыл бұрын

absolutely will. the blades sit in the middle of a grove in the handle and a threaded part holds them in place.

@johnbeauvais3159

7 жыл бұрын

darthpaul123 You could also use a pin vise handle. You can find these at hobby stores and the one I have is hollow with a cap on the back where you could store picks.

in the uk we call the allen screw a grub screw the tool is an allen key,it looks like a maggot.some useless info for the pedantic,,sorrry!!

@mattthomas4026

6 жыл бұрын

Grub screw huh never heard that before. Alan key I've heard that before

Bill, why were you so specific about the set screw size? You said any bigger or smaller won't work. I planned to do this project but I'm not sure if I have that exact size of set screw

@bosnianbill

3 жыл бұрын

If it fits, use it. I mentioned the size because I’ve learned that if I don’t, a million people ask. Better to be premptive, right?

@brandonwhitton9049

3 жыл бұрын

@@bosnianbill i got so excited to get to picking i couldn't wait for tools to come in the mail and made some very crude ones of my own to get started 😁

Any video easy to find on bills do it yourself make picks...

6 years late.. have you thought of making one with epoxy or some kind of resin?

@bosnianbill

6 жыл бұрын

Yeah, sorry about that. YT doesn't notify me of ALL messages and occasionally I'll stumble across one while reading other messages... Yes, I tried epoxy putty but it didn't work out too well. I later got a 3D printer and that worked out perfectly. Check out the free templates for download that I put on the website at lock-lab.com, check out the resources page, then downloads.

Hi , where can we found your "quickpicks" on the internet pls ?

@sevendj02chantilly

10 жыл бұрын

bosnianbill ok thanks , i've already try to make that with hacksaw blades but it break easily . thank you and sorry for my aproximately english , i'm french

@KowboyUSA

9 жыл бұрын

bosnianbill I knew I should have hoarded all those old wiper inserts I've tossed into the trash over the years.

Hi

Hey Bill, do you think an exacto blade handle would work?

@CPLBSS88

8 жыл бұрын

+tendercrispbacon Thats actually an awesome Idea!

@Pdro-gw7lu

8 жыл бұрын

+bosnianbill damn Bill, answering questions on a nearly 4 year old video? Youre a stand up dude

@CPLBSS88

8 жыл бұрын

deleted because im an idiot

@tendercrispbacon

8 жыл бұрын

+GraymanTactics I'm pretty sure you read his comment wrong

@Pdro-gw7lu

8 жыл бұрын

+tendercrispbacon yeah just a bit lol. Maybe he's having a bad day

We might not be able to pick a lock, but we're going to look good not doing it!

i wish that i can make one :(

i made my own version of this design (with no substantive changes - all design credit to bosniabill) out of aluminum hex stock. works great! feels wonderful to hold (much better, imo, than even plastic-wrapped metal strip picks). not as nice looking as this however :p (check the video out on my channel if interested; title is "interchangeable-head lock pick"; make sure to turn on subs!)

You sound like ron Swanson

I live in an apt....no way to do this