Update #52: What's in a kit! The Kroekel Boys! Production Update!
The Kroekel Boys
So, since I have free time while the picks are being manufactured, I've been spending more time with my other research. I'm going to share those projects with you. First up, the story of Charles & Oscar Kroekel. I had the honor of attending Foo Camp last month and gave an Ignite talk. Ignite talks are very quick. You get 20 slides which auto-advance every 15 seconds.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsMp3ccwrBg&list=UUO6s8zuwYNRU
If you want to read more about the Kroekel's you can check out my project page.
Production Update
So, the big news on the production front is that we've found a handle metal to go with. Because I'm spot welding the picks together, we can't use something like aluminum, so I'm going with a less expensive steel for the handle pieces and still rocking 1095 Spring Steel for the pick blades. The two of them should weld together without any problems and so long as they are firmly bonded there should be absolutely no loss of feedback when picking.
What's in the kit?
I've had a lot of people asking what exactly the bought, so tonight, I'm going to let you know exactly what each backer level receives.
$5 - Gets you the plans for producing your own picks. (And though these have already been sent out, the higher quality, updated CAD based files will go out once the picks do)
$20 - A practice kit containing 3 progressively pinned locks. Progressive pinning means that one lock will have 2 pins, the next will have 3, then the third lock will have 5 pins. This way you can pick the 2 pin lock just to get the basic idea of how to pick. 3 pins will be a slight challenge after 2, then 5 pins is a fully pinned lock - once you've picked that, the world is your oyster. Also included is a plug follower and extra pins and springs. This is so that you can rekey your locks to give yourself a new challenge. I even tossed some security pins in there so you can really up the ante.
Now! Really important and what most people seem to not realize! Everyone above this level ALSO gets a training kit.
$35 - You get 5 picks of your choice + the training kit. Your picks will be in a canvas roll up case made by my Mother or one of her friends. You also get 2 tension wrenches to go with your picks. One will be a top tension wrench and the other will be a wider bottom of keyway wrench.
$50 - You get 10 picks of your choice + the training kit + the case. You also get 3 tension wrenches. The two mentioned above + a thinner bottom of keyway wrench.
$75 - You get the full collection of 20 picks + the training kit + the case + the 3 tension wrenches.
$100 - You get the full collection of 20 picks + the training kit + the case + 3 tension wrenches. You also get an Open Locksport t-shirt and some extra swag, like temporary tattoos and stickers.
$250 - You get the full collection of 20 picks + the training kit + a custom case, designed to your specifications by my Mother. Also, you'll receive a custom hand-bound book that contains everything I've ever written related to locksport. There will be some digital materials as well.
$500 on up - have been well detailed elsewhere.
Hope that clears some things up!
1,159
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Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on September 24, 2010.
Pledge $5 or more Pledge $5 or more
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.
Pledge $20 or more Pledge $20 or more
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!]
Pledge $35 or more Pledge $35 or more
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]
Pledge $50 or more Pledge $50 or more
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]
Pledge $75 or more Pledge $75 or more
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]
Pledge $100 or more Pledge $100 or more
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 Pledge $250 or more
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]
Pledge $500 or more Pledge $500 or more
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.
Pledge $1,000 or more Pledge $1,000 or more
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+!
Pledge $2,500 or more Pledge $2,500 or more
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!)
Project By
Connected as Schuyler Towne (736 friends)
I'm a competitive lockpicker and graphic designer based out of Boston, MA. I am one of the fastest pickers in the country and compete internationally as well. I have been featured for my lockpicking on All Things Considered, the Boston Globe and even a show on the History Channel.
Sounds great, I mentioned earlier I wanted to upgrade. Is there a way to move from the $50 level to $100?
tired now...
@steven - Drop me a direct message on here and I can send you the details.