Test Batch Photos
So! I'm pretty stoked about the chemical etching process. As you can see in the first photo, the details are fantastic. It's very precise. I had one miscut toward the bottom right corner of the sheet, but the person helping me out warned me of that possibility, so it only affected the back of a spare handle.
The second photo is just of the handles. Moving forward the handles will all be on their own sheet as they'll be cut from a different type of metal.
The third is what I'm most excited about. The fidelity of the etch is enough that I can cut two pick's border in one cut. This is what I was hoping we'd get back from the test. All it really means is that I can stack a good number of picks on a single sheet of metal, nothing more groundbreaking than that, but still, that's pretty good!
I have played with each pick type and I'm satisfied that they are what I want. This is literally the first time I've seen these picks in any tangle form in almost a year. I'm pretty happy right now. Here's what comes next:
1: Develop a final plate layout. This should be pretty straightforward now that I've seen the test plate, but I'm running it past the cutter before I commit so there may be a little back and forth, but still, it's straightforward so that part should go quick. As I said I'll post an updated plate layout on here as well.
2: Metal choice. I have a metal I like, the 1095 spring steel, but the last time I cut picks from it they turned out to be too brittle. That's an old problem though and one that I believe is solved at this point. The big thing is going to be sourcing small bulk metal stock affordably, (the test plate was just cut on some not-super-cheap steel from McMaster) but I have help in that department so I'm sweating it.
3: Tumbler. The picks come off pretty rough, so I'm going to have to tumble/vibrate-finish them. That's not a big deal, also a solved problem, I just need to pick up a machine and find the right polishing medium. Being that I'll be doing small batches at a time I don't need anything crazy industrial and a friend is interested in splitting the cost as he wants to do some tumbling for his own work, so getting the equipment should be pretty low impact.
Those are the big ones. I have a spot welder already, which I use to assemble the handles of the picks. I think there is some screen printing on the cases that may still need to be done, but I'll have to call my Mother about that. They are all made, but I know she had been a little gun shy about using her screen printing equipment, so I may have to head up to VT to see my parents and bang out the printing, but I'd say it's a 50/50 shot that's already been done and simple as dirt to do if it hasn't.
Anyway, I'll update again when I have the finalized etching plate patterns. Enjoy the photos!
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Jul 15, 2010 -
Sep 24, 2010
- First created · 36 backed
- Schuyler Towne 796 friends
- Website: schuylertowne.com
Pledge $5 or more
33 backers
Anyone who donates will get templates of the tools in EPS, PDF, PNG, SVG, etc. formats (basically every format I can export, which will include CAD files) along with instructions for making these tools yourself. I'll offer material suggestions and finishing ideas too.
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44 backers
Practice Makes Perfect! A practice kit with 3 locks progressively pinned, security pins, tweezers, plug follower and instructions for repinning your own locks. All packaged in a lovely tin. [+ Templates!]
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269 backers
Hors d'Oeuvres! A set of 5 picks! There will be two options available, either 5 advanced picks or 5 starter picks. Your choice! This selection will come with a small case as well. [+ Templates + Practice Kit]
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90 backers
First Course! A set of 10 picks! There will be two options available, either the 10 starter picks or the 10 advanced picks. This selection will come with a large case as well. [+ Templates + Practice Kit]
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587 backers
Main Course! The full set of 20 picks! You will get every pick I have designed from the starters right through to the advanced designs. This selection will come with a large case as well. [+ Templates + Practice Kit]
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103 backers
Save room for Dessert! A hand screened, 2 color "Open Locksport" t-shirt and a bunch of other Open Locksport shwag. Temporary Tattoos? Absolutely! Stickers? Heck yes! And more! [+ Templates + Practice Kit + 20 Picks]
Pledge $250 or more
10 backers All gone!
Custom Kit & Full access to me! My Mother, who did all of the prototyping for the pick cases, will make you a custom, hand made pick case to your specifications, including any illustration or dedication you may want. Additionally, you'll be given everything I've ever written or recorded on the subject of Locks & get 3 hours of Skype time with me to ask questions, discuss locks, run demos, whatever you want. [+ Templates + Practice Kit + 20 Picks + Shwag]
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15 backers
Lock Library! 50 Locks of various types, including pin tumblers, wafers, levers, and dial & sesame combo locks. 30 individual picks and the full set of 20 in a case. You'll also get handcuffs and a cutaway pin tumbler to help explain how they work. You'll also get all of the shwag of the $100 level! Great for new clubs and hackerspaces.
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2 backers
Uber Lock Library! Everything in the Lock Library times 2! 100 locks! 60 individual picks! 2 full sets of 20 in cases! 2 different sets of handcuffs and a 2 cutaways! One of a pin-tumbler lock, one of the locking mechanism in handcuffs! In addition to all of this I'll send you training materials. Nicely illustrated guides to lockpicking, impressioning, bumping, overlifting, etc. etc! I can guarantee 10 different reproducible worksheets and I'm hoping to do 20+!
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2 backers All gone!
Physical classroom! I fly to you! I'll bring the picks, locks, handcuffs, combo locks, cutaways, high security locks, and, most importantly, the knowledge, to run 2 days of classes for as many people you like. You let me know how many people I can expect and your nearest airport and I'll do the rest. Great for Colleges & Universities, Hackerspaces w/large membership, offices or law enforcement! (This offer open to continental US only. If you are outside of the US & want to subsidize the airfare, we can talk!)
Comments
Creator Bruce Barnett on February 25, 2012
Looks great. If the picks are brittle, you may need to heat treat the metal to re-establish the temper. I'm excited that you are going to tumble them. That says us the time in polishing the picks.
Peterson picks are tumbled and heat treated, and this extra effort is appreciated.
Creator Glug on February 23, 2012
Looking good! Any updates on the lock libraries?
Creator Aaron F Stanton on February 23, 2012
Very good to see such progress. Keep it up!
Creator Tim Spencer on February 23, 2012
Keep it up! I love seeing these picks come together!
Creator Tyler Hibbard on February 23, 2012
Awesome to see this progress!
Creator Dave Adams on February 23, 2012
Yes, I've moved since originally confirming my address. Is there a simple way to just resend out that request so I could update my info?
Stuff's looking good man! First photo is a truly great picture too!
Creator Devin on February 23, 2012
The picks look gorgeous. Let's keep the updates and the good news rolling, it'll do wonders to improve the morale of the backers.
Also, could you address how you're going to handle getting people's new information?
Creator Casey Borders on February 23, 2012
Very exciting!
Creator sfi72 on February 23, 2012
Tangible <3
Creator Thomas Didrel on February 23, 2012
This is fabulous, the picks look gorgeous. Great work Schuyler.
Creator MacGyver101 on February 23, 2012
That's really great to see... congratulations, and thanks for sharing the photos!
Creator Jeremiah Daniels on February 23, 2012
Rock on! Thanks for the update!