Analogy for proper tension

[iqjavier]

Greetings!

I was wondering if anyone could come up with an anology that could help explain beginner's, such as myself, about the amount of tension needed when picking a lock. Maybe, instead of an anology, you could think of an exercise that will demonstrate the amount of tension needed. Something I and others could practice in order to master the skill.

I have noticed that some say very little tension is needed. This leads to believe that barely no tension is needed, though they are probably trying to say that less than the force one would think is used is actually needed. Maybe an exercise such as place a toothpick in the keyway and exert force on it, if it breaks too much force, etc... You know what I am getting at.

[Pheniox]

yea, i do, put about the same amount of pressure that it takes to turn a light switch on and off, perhaps just a tad more. Thats about the best way I can think of. Using a toothpick, it would be right at the point where you hear it crack, but it doesn't break.

[P[]LYP]

the way it works for me is 2 just put enough tension on the lcok to make the cyclinder rotate when a pin is picked. Hope this helps

[Varjeal]

I was thinking about this subject today while practicing with my bass guitar...then it hit me (no not the guitar). The tension may be somewhat similiar as the amount you use to press the string(s) to the fretboard if you were playing (or trying to in my case) really fast.

Hope that doesn't make me sound crazy, but it is similar I think.

[puck]

I read an article somewhere about using a rubber band and twisting it so many times and then putting that on the tension wrench... anyone have any idea what i'm talking about? It may have been on the MIT guide or somewhere else...

[Pheniox]

put a thumb tack in the wall, twist the rubber band 20 times or right before it starts to knot. put thumbtack about 3 inches out from plug. i think thats what you mean

[Chubby]

Hi iqjavier,
Ok! Look, I'm assuming that you do have a tension tool, this will realy only work if you have your cylinder in a vice & the key for it etcetra, don't try this on a padlock!
Put the key in the key way and turn it 45º, place the handle of the tension tool into the keys keyring hole, lightly rest your index & middle finger on the tension tool, furthest away from the key. lightly begin to apply tension, keep an eye on the plug, or if you are using a profile cylinder the cam. When you see it turn, that is about as close as you will can get as to how much tension is needed, now if you repeat all of the the above except this time your touch is so light you don't even see the plug or cam move but you can feel the vibration of them moving via your finger tips that is what you need to train your muscles into memorizing. It is the mastering of the tension tool that presents the biggest challange in the whole lockpicking process, used incorrectly the tension tool will actually do more to defeat you than assist you, it is all a matter of delicacy and feel so practicing is paramount....

[puck]

That would be the one pheonix. Good idea? Bad idea?

[sonolocksmith]

I don't think there is any such thing as a standard amount to tension to use on the torque wrench while attemping to pick a lock. Locks vary by brand, amount of wear, fouling etc. One way to start is to put enough tension on the torque wrench to cause all the pins to bind then release the pressure gradually until the pins start to drop back into the core. This is easily heard with the naked ear in a quiet environment. This gives you a vague idea of the amount of tension to use. If all the pins don't drop by the time the tension is released, there may be a stuck pin. Try a small amount of light spray oil lubricant (such as WD40) or even rap the lock face lightly to free the pin. Mostly proper tensioning is learned through hours of practice, not what the novice wants to hear, but it is the truth.

[sonolocksmith]

BreakFree or graphite is fine if you have it handy. Are we talking about trying to pick a lock one time to gain entry or maintain our own locks? Yes any liquid oil will attract dirt and cause a lock to seize in winter weather etc etc so dont use it on you own locks. But trying to get through a one-time access situation, WD-40 or any light spray oil will penetrate better that graphite.

[puck]

Well, check out the other forums. Generally I don't like doing to one-time-entry locks what I wouldn't do to my own, since there's a good chance I'll be back to pick them again.

[Chucklz]

The analogy that has served me best when teaching others is to grab a Master padlock and hold it in your left hand with the keyway facing you and your index finger along the side so that it rests on the top of your tension wrench. Now just rest it there and let it sit with its own weight. Thats about right. A little more may be required say for a wafer lock. A little less if you have long fingers and a long tension wrench (Torque being the cross product of Force and distance-- that is the farther away from the pivot point you push with the same force, the more torque is exerted on the pivot).

[Ragnar]

I understand a delicate touch is required, but I tried using some of the above posted methods and have failed miserably. I don't muscle my way into a lock, but I do put some force on the tension wrench. I find the more advanced locks require a more delicate touch, but for what I play with... I find a little pressure is almost always needed.