Spring loaded circular tension tool

[Bas2888]

Does anybody out there have any experience with a spring loaded circular tension tool?


From what I've seen so far, I can't believe this works good.
Can you feel any movement whatsoever with this tool?

Thanks in advance,
Bas

[datagram]

That's pretty much the jist of it; they work well enough to provide tension but you lose alot of the feedback that you get with a manual tension tool. I don't see the point of hands free devices like this, since it isn't like you're going to use the other hand to add a second pick or anything.

dg

[Bas2888]

So what you're saying is when I buy this piece of equipment, I can smoke during picking?

No seriously, thanks for your reply.

[Olson Burry]

My understanding of these is slightly different, in that you still have to hold the tool in the lock, else somehow it would have to be attached to the door or some other unmovable part in order to apply the tension.

The markers are there to give and indication of how far you're stretching the spring inside and therefore the tension being applied.

These would work well when you have a confined space and also because it tensions the top and bottom of the plug at the same time, you get a good, centralised rotation.

I too imagine that the feeling would go to pot so perhaps these would be better suited for when you try to rake a lock open as the tension is even and you can keep it light. Pure conjecture though, I've never used one.

[Engineer]

I've used mine a few times and I don't like it.

It makes the lock feel very different, almost like you are picking down into a well.

I also tend to rest my pick against the bottom of the keyway, or against the pick itself and you can't with this type of tension tool.

However, there are locks where it would be difficult to pick any other way. Where there is restricted access obviously, but also oddly where the cylinder is a bit loose in the main body of the lock - Olson is spot-on with his points. If the cylinder is a bit worn, or badly made, tensioning the cylinder as normal tends to bind the cylinder making it very difficult, if not impossible to pick. A circular tension tool can help with that a lot.

Having said that, I would still not have it high on my list of tools to get, only get it when you've a good selection of other tools and there are just the odd ones where you are having trouble because of it being loose or too close to a doorway or similar.

[lunchb0x]

I have one of these but without the spring tensioner on it, the only thing that I find it easier to use on is automotive locks becasue sometimes a tension wrench wont sit properly in the front cap of an auto lock, really I dont see the point of spending extra money to get one that has the spring because you wont get as much feedbaack through it but if you do pick a few double sided wafer locks and auto lock I do recommend spending the couple of dollars to get the one without the spring in it.

[Bas2888]

Thanks for all the replies
I was just curious if this tool would come in handy, but I see now that's it isn't much of a improvement for my collection.

Bas

[FarmerFreak]

lunchbox. If you are using that spring tension wrench on vehicles....I applaud you for making it work. But you might invest in a better automotive tension wrench.

You should check out Kaotik's post viewtopic.php?f=4&t=17220

The first tool he makes in that post is what I would recommend for automotive picking. Except I would dremel in two notches so it will clip onto the face cap of the door lock. If you don't want to make them, the ones I use are from lockmasters. But I know other companies make them too.