Cheapest decoders/shims from pocket tape measure

Tools used

• Some type of pry tool(Anything to get it open)
  • Small flat blade screwdriver (1/4" or less)
  • Handle of a slim lockpick
    
  • Careful use of a hammer might work too :)
• Some type of cutter for the steel(Much easier than filing everything!)
  • Kitchen Shears
  • Side Cutters
  • Dremel
• Some type of holder for the flexible steel(Prevent cuts while shaping)
  • Bench Vise
  • Vise Grips
    
  • Pair of Pliers
• Some type of smoother for the steel
  • Diamond Files
  • Sandpaper
  • Sharpening Stone
    

The work begins

This is the cheapest pocket tape measure I could find on amazon, at $2.32 including tax and shipping (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09MY6V4X9)

It took a month to arrive, but only 2 seconds to pop it open! (This plastic is very soft)

Stuck a flat blade screwdriver into the slot the tape comes out of and the keyring opening, just a little wiggle got it apart

I used a cheap pair of flush cutters to chop off the tightest curled part (at less than $3 for the whole tape, its not worth the extra effort to straighten)

Butchering the tip to make a slimmer end was a ton more trouble than expected... Since the metal tape is hardened, it tends to break rather than cut with these cutters (Lesson - kitchen shears or tin snips work way better!)

In the end I used the kitchen shears to cut an angle on the other end, and a cheap diamond file to smooth out the edges and burrs (sandpaper is great too!)

Leaving the paint (or powder coat) on the tape it measures 0.0035" (or 35 ten-thousandths of an inch, or 0.089mm, or 89 microns thick), and when I scrapped the coating off it measured an even 0.003" (or 3 thousandths of an inch, or 0.076mm, or 76 microns).  This size is very thin and great for the more delicate tasks (decoding mostly), but less good for the harsher tasks. (bypassing master 175s)

I will see about picking up one of the more expensive (~$10) pocket tape measures, since they usually have a slightly thicker spring attached to the thinner tape measure (to make the tape replaceable).  Others I have cannibalized in the past, had the spring and tape both, which provides us with two different thickness (or at least stiffness).

All that being said, even after trashing the coil in the center(maybe 2-3 more), we ended up with 8 full pick length decoders(4.75" long & 0.0035" thick) for $2.32!