WARNING: Making one of these picks should never be attempted by a child. This should only be attempted by an adult. If you are not 100% comfortable working with tools or working near open flames, I highly reccommend that you get the assistance of someone who is comfortable working in these situations. I will not be held liable or in any way responsible for any accidents or injuries that occur as a result of anyone attempting to make one of these picks. If you attempt to make one of these picks, you do so under the full understanding that you accept all responsibility for your own actions. This statement serves as a disclaimer to all who attempt to make this device.

How to make one of my picks

These are standard, stainless-steel rings. they can be found at most hardware stores. Find a ring size that fits your arm comfortably

These are standard, stainless-steel rings. they can be found at most hardware stores. Find a ring size that fits your arm comfortably

These fasteners are available on-line at www.strapworks.com make sure to buy a size that matches the webbing that you purchase. I use 3/4 inch

These fasteners are available on-line at www.strapworks.com make sure to buy a size that matches the webbing that you purchase. I use 3/4 inch

These lineman's pliers are available at most hardware stores. I use them for many things in this process

These lineman's pliers are available at most hardware stores. I use them for many things in this process

These rivet pliers are available at most hardware stores

These rivet pliers are available at most hardware stores

These are the washers.

These are the washers.

These rivets will be found with the rivet-pliers. When you buy these make sure to buy washers that match in diameter.

These rivets will be found with the rivet-pliers. When you buy these make sure to buy washers that match in diameter.

This is what the rivets look like

This is what the rivets look like

Standard thread. Nothing special here.

Standard thread. Nothing special here.

This nylon webbing is available at www.strapworks.com I use the 3/4 inch webbing

This nylon webbing is available at www.strapworks.com I use the 3/4 inch webbing

You'll need a cigarette lighter of some sort.

You'll need a cigarette lighter of some sort.

Use the lighter to singe/seal the ends of the webbing so they won't fray out and unravel.

Use the lighter to singe/seal the ends of the webbing so they won't fray out and unravel.

Singe/ seal all cut ends of the webbing.

Singe/ seal all cut ends of the webbing.

Make a loop around one side of the ring. Fold the webbing back on the inside. The inside it the side that will wing up against your skin.

Make a loop around one side of the ring. Fold the webbing back on the inside. The inside it the side that will wing up against your skin.

Sew the fold together.

Sew the fold together.

Pull the webbing around the backside of your elbow all the way back around to the ring.

Pull the webbing around the backside of your elbow all the way back around to the ring.

Cut the webbing where it meets the ring.

Cut the webbing where it meets the ring.

Use the lighter to seal the webbing where you just cut it.

Use the lighter to seal the webbing where you just cut it.

Cut and seal a second piece of webbing about 2/3rds the length of the first piece.

Cut and seal a second piece of webbing about 2/3rds the length of the first piece.

Fold one end of the webbing around the ring.

Fold one end of the webbing around the ring.

Loop the other end of the webbing through the fastener. Take care to observe the proper direction of the fastener. I would advise looping the back side of the strap through just to make sure you have it together correctly at this point.

Loop the other end of the webbing through the fastener. Take care to observe the proper direction of the fastener. I would advise looping the back side of the strap through just to make sure you have it together correctly at this point.

Lay the fold and loop on top of one another and then sew them together.

Lay the fold and loop on top of one another and then sew them together.

This is what the ring should look like sewn up.

This is what the ring should look like sewn up.

Here's a wider view of the completed harness assembly.

Here's a wider view of the completed harness assembly.

This is what the harness looks like when ready to put on your arm.

This is what the harness looks like when ready to put on your arm.

Cinch the webbing tight through the fastener so that it is VERY tight on your arm. This will be a little uncomfortable at first but, you'll get used to it. This is the inside view.

Cinch the webbing tight through the fastener so that it is VERY tight on your arm. This will be a little uncomfortable at first but, you'll get used to it. This is the inside view.

This is the outer side view of the pick.

This is the outer side view of the pick.

This is where we'll start prepping the pick. The black dots are where we will be burning holes in the pick for the rivets. And the line is where we'll be bending the pick. Use the lineman's pliers to hold the pick over a flame (I use the stove) and heat the pick up to the point that it becomes bendable. Bend the pick to an angle. You may have to bend it a few times.

This is where we'll start prepping the pick. The black dots are where we will be burning holes in the pick for the rivets. And the line is where we'll be bending the pick. Use the lineman's pliers to hold the pick over a flame (I use the stove) and heat the pick up to the point that it becomes bendable. Bend the pick to an angle. You may have to bend it a few times.

The pick should be bent at roughly an 115 Degree angle. not a 90 degree.

The pick should be bent at roughly an 115 Degree angle. not a 90 degree.

Use the lineman's pliers to hold one of the rivets and heat it up. We're going to use this rivet to melt holes in the nylon webbing and the pick.

Use the lineman's pliers to hold one of the rivets and heat it up. We're going to use this rivet to melt holes in the nylon webbing and the pick.

Melt the holes where you drew the dots on the pick first.

Melt the holes where you drew the dots on the pick first.

While using another pair of pliers hold the pick to the webbing, use the lineman's pliers to heat up the rivet again.

While using another pair of pliers hold the pick to the webbing, use the lineman's pliers to heat up the rivet again.

Using the holes in the pick as guides, melt holes in the webbing.

Using the holes in the pick as guides, melt holes in the webbing.

You should now have holes in the pick and in the nylon webbing that match up.

You should now have holes in the pick and in the nylon webbing that match up.

Push new rivets from the inside (the side that will touch your skin) of the harness through the webbing and the pick. Put a washer over the rivet on the outside of the pick.

Push new rivets from the inside (the side that will touch your skin) of the harness through the webbing and the pick. Put a washer over the rivet on the outside of the pick.

Use the rivet pliers to lock the rivets and washers together.

Use the rivet pliers to lock the rivets and washers together.

This is an inside (the part that will touch your skin) view of the completed pick and harness assembly. Sometimes when the rivet poles break off, they leave these burrs. If that happens, just push the burrs back inside the rivet holes.

This is an inside (the part that will touch your skin) view of the completed pick and harness assembly. Sometimes when the rivet poles break off, they leave these burrs. If that happens, just push the burrs back inside the rivet holes.

This is a finished pick assembly. You can now put it on your arm and start playing.

This is a finished pick assembly. You can now put it on your arm and start playing.

Eventually, the pick will wear down and need to be replaced.
To replace the pick, 1st you will need remove the old pick. To remove the old pick, cut off the washers and remove the rivets. Then attach a new pick by following the steps for attaching the pick when you first made the pick/harness.
Tip: You can get much longer life by using brass picks and they come with the holes already in them (you also won't need washers with the brass picks). But, the brass picks will get VERY SHARP when you play a lot with them. They can get as sharp as razors and will need to be filed down from time to time to keep them from becoming dangerous. Also, the brass pick will damage your instrument's finish.
Please keep that in mind when deciding which types of picks you want to use.