REVIEW: Rytan RY-57 Plug Spinner

[logosys]

Well, I've had this spinner for about 2 weeks now, and I can honestly say that it was a wise investment. The functionality of the tool, combined with the ease of use makes it well worth the $25 price tag.

Let me give a bit of background first. I bought myself a Brockhage Plug Spinner (http://www.lockpicks.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=115) and was less than satisfied. It was a simplistic design, but it would sometimes reset the lock, forcing me to have to pick it again, then try again to spin it. This became so frustrating that I hurled to tool across the room...

I ordered the Rytan plug spinner(http://www.rytan.com/cgi-bin/detail.php?pn=RY57%20PLUG%20SPINNER), hearing that it was a good buy. When I first handled the tool, I could immediately tell that the construction was superior. The blade, which also functions as the spring, is made of durable spring steel and is internal, leading to a much more durable design, while the "knobs" are painted with chip-resistant coating. Furthermore, they have a good grip on them, making them easy to turn. I immediately began trying the tool out on a few locks I had lying around, and found that the operation is better than I originally expected. It is different from the Brockhage in that it "locls" and a button in the rear actuates the spin, whereas you wind the Brockhage, insert, then release. I have found the Rytan design to be superior, as it eliminates the chance of not building enough momentum to spin past the shear line. The spin is quick, smooth and reliable, and I have yet to have it "reset" the lock.

The Rytan plug spinner cost me $25.00 (with shipping) ordering directly from Rytan. The Brockhage's base cost (without shipping) is $25.00. I don't know a great deal about the HPC Flip-It tool, but it costs over $50.00 base. Beyond the base price, Rytan has the foresight to offer replaceable parts for their tool. Replacement blades can be purchased in packs of 5 for $8.95, reducing the cost over time (as you don't have to keep replacing an entire tool) but also increasing convenience.

The people at Rytan have outdone themselves with such a great product. I believe that with the smooth, reliable functionality of the Rytan spinner, combined with its great price makes it an excellent choice.

You can order them directly from Rytan by calling them at (800) 447-9826. More information at http://www.rytan.com[/url]

[Romstar]

I can't for the life of me believe that anyone is charging $25.00 US for the A-1 plug spinner. Normally that thing is like $15.00 or comes as a part of a kit.

The Rytan spinner is an excellent product, as is the HPC Flip-It. Both are excellent tools.

The Brockhage (A-1) spinner was designed and sold as a convienience item, and was never meant to cost that much. Hell, I can make the things cheaper than that.

You did an excellent review of teh Rytan spinner, and if I didn't already have a few spinners, I would be buying the Rytan.

Romstar

[Pheniox]

goihng to be getting one in a few days when I get payed.

[Luke]

Yeah i have a spinner similar to the Rytan, the design is great, sometimes a stiff lock will find the spinner not spinning past the shear line, but rarely.

[Eagerpicker]

Would the Rytan spinner also work on double deadbolt door locks? I mean the kind of lock where you can turn the plug once to lock the middle deadbolt, then turn again (sometimes even twice) to lock upper and lower deadbolts into the doorframe. These kind of locks take quite a bit of turning power with a key, so I imagine that the spinner has to be pretty powerful too to turn the plug around and around.

[logosys]

Would the Rytan spinner also work on double deadbolt door locks? I mean the kind of lock where you can turn the plug once to lock the middle deadbolt, then turn again (sometimes even twice) to lock upper and lower deadbolts into the doorframe. These kind of locks take quite a bit of turning power with a key, so I imagine that the spinner has to be pretty powerful too to turn the plug around and around.

I've no idea how those types of cylinders work, so I really couldn't tell you. If it involves throwing a plug past a shear line, I guarantee that the Rytan can do it.

[Eagerpicker]

I am on the verge of buying the RY57, directly from Rytan. But just now I noticed on their website this item: http://www.rytan.com/cgi-bin/detail.php?pn=RY5798. Cheaper, and apparently just as powerful and effective.

I would much appreciate your insights on this choice: the RY57 or the RY5798?

Thanks in advance!

Eagerpicker

[alias]

Hi Eagerpicker,

I've been looking about for a plug-spinner too and whilst I don't own (yet) either the RY57 or the RY5798, the one thing that's driving me towards the RY57 is the cost of replacement blades.

RY57 - 5 pack for $8.95
RY5798 - 1 for $6.25

Plus with the RY57 you seem to get a more solid bit of kit. I don't like that they sell a replacement body for the RY5798, I'd prefer it just didn't break in the first place.

[Eagerpicker]

Alias> Very good points! Shipping/handling costs will probably have greater impact on your choice, as they have on mine, than for citizens of the US; paying USD 6.25 PLUS something loike USD 10 (or even more) for shipping/handling, only to receive one replacement blade... I don't think so.

I also agree with your view on the spinner body: it shouldn't require replacement at all. Perhaps I will buy both, and use the RY57 most of the time, and the cheaper one only to compare. Of course I'd best buy a packet of replacement blades along with the RY57, in view of aforementioned shipping expenses.

Hmmm... choices, choices..

Thanks for your input!

EP

[Eagerpicker]

Well that's what you call frustrating! I was intent on getting the RY57, and possibly the RY5798 plug spinner(s), so I e-mailed Rytan to see if they would ship to the Netherlands. Turns out they don't mind, but they only use UPS and that would cost me just about $50 USD, for a $19.95 product! Other companies I have ordered from simply use USPS, and shippling/handling fees never amount to more than $10 to $14, depending where the co. is located. Sincere there are no dealers in Europe (none that I can find anyway) that supply Rytan equiment, I am at a dead end.

[Buggs41]

I just looked up the RY-57 in my FB catalog. They want $26.95 for the tool, and $13 for the 5 pack of blades.

Before I order directly from Rytan, I am going to see what else I want.

Thanks for that great info!

[Eagerpicker]

Buggs> I'm sure YOU won't have to pay three (3!) times the product price for it to be delivered to your home...

[Buggs41]

Errr. Sorry about that Eagerpicker. I was mostly referring to the original post of this thread.

[Eagerpicker]

Of course, I know. Just had to vent my jealousy and frustration.

[Chucklz]

Eagerpicker, maby you could get some of the TOOL members together and all....ummm..... go Dutch on the shipping.