Lock Pick Holders

This is not an Instructable about how to make or purchase lock picks. But if you already have them for a costume this will help you print holders for a lock pick holding bracer. Be sure to follow all laws about owning lock picks and don't even think about using them.

Since it is cosplay you want to show off the tools of the trade if you are playing a character who picks locks. Assassin, thief, cat burglar or general Shadowrunner. Any sane person would want to conceal lock picks and I do not have any instructions for that.

To fit my character, a cyberpunk, the picks were meant to look well-used and beloved. For the extra touch they were wrapped with friction tape, weathered, and given names.

This holder is comfortable and can be worn all day over a shirt sleeve. The parts are easy to find or purchase and the printable files I designed are included.

For this project you will need:

• lock picks. Set of 9*
• 9* neodymium magnets. 3.0mm diameter X 1.5mm height
• (optional) 2 neodymium magnets. 5.0mm diameter X 2.0mm height
• friction tape
• elastic bead/jewelry cord. 1mm diameter.
• ferrule for bead/jewelry cord
• 9* prints of the lock pick holder
• Superglue(R) or similar
• Printer media. I used black ABS.

*If you have more or fewer lock picks, print the appropriate number of holders. Also, keep in mind that having more holders will increase the overall size. Smaller arms require fewer holders.

Tools:

• 3D printer
• Permanent marker
• Pliers
• Refrigerator magnets were helpful

Print 9* lock pick holders at 100%

Optionally, print a wrench holder.

If you are not happy with the design download the OpenSCAD file and make changes.

*If you have more or fewer lock picks, print the appropriate number of holders. Also, keep in mind that having more holders will increase the overall size. Smaller arms require fewer holders.

While the holders are printing start adding personality to the lock picks. I used white friction tape on the business end of the handles then gave them women's names. Maybe you would rather draw a symbol on them. Maybe a pattern. Maybe a color image of a cartoon character. Maybe you just want to cover them in Hello Kitty stickers, I'm not being sarcastic that would look cool.

The names I picked were chosen from a book of baby names. They were names which did not belong to any women I know.

Naturally the tape looked brand new, because it was, so I soaked the picks in coffee and rolled them in coffee grounds. This did a good job of getting rid of the pure white. I let the decorated picks dry on my sink since the fabric friction tape absorbed water.

Small magnets were used to hold the metal part of the picks in place. These allow for quick retrieval in case your anti-hero or villain needs to pick a lock in a hurry. The model has a small round slot where a magnet should fit.

Place a drop of superglue where the magnet goes and put the magnet in place. Use one of the larger magnets or, better yet, a refrigerator magnet on the bottom to hold the small magnet in place while the glue works. Let it sit a few hours or overnight.

If you printed the wrench holder glue the larger magnets at both ends. Exact placement isn't necessary but I set them in the curves of the symbols.

This is a tricky step if you are working alone. If you have an extra hand it will be a breeze.

Thread the elastic craft cord through all the holes.

Form the holders into a circle and double back through the first holder's holes. This is a tricky step to describe so please observe the pictures. We're trying to make the whole unit into a bracer or cuff that won't twist.

Once everything is in place pull the cord a little tight to remove any slack.

Put the loose ends of the cord through the ferrule.

If you have helpers have them keep some tension one the cords while you crimp the ferrule.

That is all there is to it.

The picks will slide under the elastic cord in the back and attach to the magnets in front. You should be able to pull a pick out at a moment's notice and replace almost as quickly.

Happy cosplaying.

I blog incessantly at 24hourengineer.com and I do more than cosplay articles. In fact, all the cosplay creations I am making will be functional, not just for aesthetics. If you haven't seen my Always Handy Instructable, it is another 3D printed cosplay article for a cyberpunk. That one took THREE MONTHS to complete. You can read the day-by-day account and find out what worked and what turned out to be a losing time gamble.

Please keep making Instructables a great place to post.