Pittsburgh Mini Pick Set Review: Small Tools That Punch Above Their Price

Introduction

Miniature picks are the kind of tool you never think about until you need one. O-rings, seals, gaskets, clips, and debris in tight corners all call for something small, stiff, and precise. The Pittsburgh mini pick set from Harbor Freight, item number 63697, enters that space at a price that almost feels like a typo: about $1.99 for the set, or roughly 50 cents per pick, and it has even been given away free during Harbor Freight sales. It also carries a lifetime warranty, which is remarkable at this price point.

First Impressions and Design

The set arrives in a small molded tray, which is a nice touch in theory. In practice, the tray is about as flimsy as packaging gets and barely holds the picks in place, so it is worth keeping expectations low there.

The picks themselves have very small handles and come in a bright orange finish that makes them easy to spot in a cluttered drawer or tool bag. The set includes the classic pick shapes you would expect, including a favorite hook-style tip with a slightly different geometry than some competing sets. One thing to note for right-angle fans: the closest tip in this set is not a true right angle, so check the shapes against your needs before buying.

Build Quality and Durability

For a set at this price, the finish work is basic. There is a visible ridge left from the molding process, and nothing here is polished or refined. That is exactly what you would expect, and it does not get in the way of the tools doing their job.

The more important question is strength, and here the set holds up better than expected. Pull testing and repeated bending showed the shafts are stout and comparable to a well-regarded older mid-priced pick. The shafts are press-fit into the handles and seated quite deep; one took real effort to pull out, suggesting they are fitted tightly rather than loosely glued in. These are the kind of tips you can even regrind and reshape if a specific job calls for it.

How They Compare to Bigger Brands

The size difference next to professional-brand picks is striking. Larger branded picks from premium tool trucks dwarf these little handles, and the shafts on the bigger sets are noticeably thicker as well.

The handle is not the most comfortable grip, especially with larger hands, but it is smaller than some existing small-handle picks, which is precisely the point of a mini set. When you start pricing premium-brand picks, it is fair to wonder where the extra money actually goes.

Who Should Buy This Set

These are made in China, and the giveaway promotion has likely ended, but if your local store carries them they remain a very easy recommendation for anyone who works on engines, seals, or electronics. The bright orange handles make them genuinely useful for hunting down small clips and O-rings in dark engine bays.

Honestly, after using them, this feels like a set worth slightly more than the asking price, though not dramatically more.

Buying Advice

Buy this set if you want cheap, competent picks for occasional seal, O-ring, and gasket work, and you value small handles that reach tight spaces. Skip it if you need true right-angle tips, premium finish, or all-day ergonomic comfort; the larger branded sets cover those needs better, at a much higher price.

Conclusion

The Pittsburgh mini pick set is not refined, and the tray is nearly disposable, but the steel is surprisingly stout, the shafts are well seated, and the lifetime warranty seals the deal. For the price, it is one of the easiest additions to any toolbox.