My first 5 lever BS lock picked

[snapcarp]

Hello all

Yesterday I picked an ERA Invincible sash lock, my first BS 5 lever lock !

Not being a locksmith or having access to any commercial curtain picks, it was out with the pen and paper and time to put the brain into overdrive

A basic design in my head and some measurements it was time to make the tool

With brass rod, piano wire, silver solder and a selection of hand tools my pick was born

I opened the lock six times after lunch

To say I am pleased is an understatement

[Shrub]

Well done, youve done well,

Any chance of some pics of your tool?

[bonez]

nice on mate.

[snapcarp]

Thanks guys

If all has gone well here are the links to some photos:

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l178/ ... Pick01.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l178/ ... Pick02.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l178/ ... Pick03.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l178/ ... Pick04.jpg

[unbreakable]

Wow, those are some nice looking tools!!

Excellent job!

[illusion]

Wow!

I love this, if only because you've managed to make a very good curtain pick, without any real idea about how the tool should look beforehand.

How fast did ya do it?

Seriously though, well done on picking, and a nice tool mate!

[snapcarp]

How fast did ya do it?

I've had the lock about two weeks, took it apart on day one and made some measurements and rough sketches.

Bought some materials the following weekend, and got round to making the tool this weekend. It turned out pretty close to what I envisiged.

Picking time varies as you would expect with a new technique to learn, between one and a half minutes to maybe five minutes or more.

I picked it again when taking the photos, I could not resist it !

[parapilot]

Maybe you could do a DIY curtain pick tutorial. Possibly a sticky within 10 posts!!??!!

Nice tool well done.

[jb68]

Can I ask how you shaped the end of the brass bar or did it already have that shape on it? Looks good,
I've got a pick that I made (a few years back) out of a spiral sash spring tensioner, I say made, it's almost exactly the right shape to start with but a bit shorter in length than the one you have there.

[snapcarp]

Can I ask how you shaped the end of the brass bar.....

I silver soldered a collar and a small length of brass to the end of the brass rod and used a hand file and needle files to get the shape.

[greyman]

Well done. A courageous effort against the mighty lever lock.
Thanks for sharing the photos.

[Mark A]

Nice job, on both making the pick and picking the Invincible!

Mark

[snapcarp]

Thanks to all for your comments and kind words

[NickBristol]

Seriously impressive tool you've made there

Couple of simple questions.... Where do you get your piano wire from? What gauge did you get?

Will be making some of these myself soon.

[snapcarp]

NickBristol

The piano wire is 16 swg (approx 1/16th inch or 1.63mm diameter), available in 3 feet lengths, I paid about 50 pence per length.

Bought from a Model Shop in Banbury. They also stock K's Metal, brass and alluminium tube and rod.

Good Model Shops are becoming fewer in number these days so you might have to search for one.

A 40 mile round trip for me so I did some other shopping while I was there.