Input on electric pick gun

[Capt_Tom]

The problems in my neck are beginning to take its toll on my hands. I was called out the other day to open a building that had brand new locks on it, and the employee took the keys when she left. Given, it was cold, and nearly dark... but the thumb, forefinger, and middle finger of my right hand being numb didn't help. I fumbled around ten minutes to get the deadbolt open... but the knob would not let go. I finally used my release tool and removed the knob.

This condition is not going to get better any time soon.... I am planning to get an electric pick gun. I am a full time safe and lock guy, so I am not looking for a toy or hobby quality tool. I need a professional piece. If anyone uses one, I would appreciate your Pro's, Con's, Tips, and Advice on the one(s) that you are familiar with.

Thanks in advance

Tom

[bbulz]

http://www.nwkeys.co.uk/Portal.aspx?page=43&prod=9025

[Capt_Tom]

I believe that is the one that i ended up buying from Lockmasters... with their brand name on it

[billdeserthills]

Have You tried it out? How well does it work for You?

[Capt_Tom]

Like all picking, it takes some finness. However, when my arthritis is flaring up it is a great tool to have in the bag. There have been some mornings when my hands just hurt so bad that I could barely hold either my hook or tension wrench. I tried to use the gun and tension wrench... with still difficulty. I was getting ready to move to the other door, but tried one more time...I used just the gun (no tension wrench) as I ran the pick, I put slight sideways pressure at the end of one second bursts of the gun and the core turned. I was shocked! I have tried it several times, and could not recreate the action... but I am thankful of the one that did occur.

As I said, having it in the bag is well worth the money. Mine is the Lockmasters branded unit

[YouLuckyFox]

When my hands are really sore for various reasons, it can be very painful to pick a lock. It takes some getting used to, but I have found that holding the pick handle between my index and middle fingers (resting at the point closest to the joint) and resting the pick itself on my thumb has helped me not put too much stress on my hands (I use my thumb to manipulate the pick.) Of course, pain is unique to everyone and everyone has different sized and shaped hands, so this may not help you at all (my grandfather gets his arthritis directly in his thumbs, and thus this may not help him.) Here's a picture, except I rest the handle between a different pair of fingers.

[Capt_Tom]

My arthritis (like your grandfathers) is in the thumbs. Pain and weakness

But thank you for the suggestion.

[thomasusa80]

The problems in my neck are beginning to take its toll on my hands. I was called out the other day to open a building that had brand new locks on it, and the employee took the keys when she left. Given, it was cold, and nearly dark... but the thumb, forefinger, and middle finger of my right hand being numb didn't help. I fumbled around ten minutes to get the deadbolt open... but the knob would not let go. I finally used my release tool and removed the knob.

This condition is not going to get better any time soon.... I am planning to get an electric pick gun. I am a full time safe and lock guy, so I am not looking for a toy or hobby quality tool. I need a professional piece. If anyone uses one, I would appreciate your Pro's, Con's, Tips, and Advice on the one(s) that you are familiar with.

Thanks in advance

Tom

Just like most selecting, it will require a few finness. Nevertheless, whenever our joint disease is flaring in place it is just a fantastic device to obtain in the tote. There have been a few mornings whenever our arms just damage thus negative that we could seldom carry sometimes our land or even strain wrench. We experimented with to utilize the particular firearm as well as strain wrench... with even now difficulty. We was getting ready to move to another home, nevertheless experimented with once more... We employed just the particular firearm (no strain wrench) as i went the particular select, We set moderate sideways pressure at the end of 1 next bursts with the firearm plus the core made. We was astonished! I have experimented with the item more than once, and can definitely not recreate the particular motion... nevertheless We are happy of the one that do arise.

_______Edwordstephen_______

[serrurier]

Is an electric one much better than a good quality manual one? I am just asking since a manual one would not require batteries and will not go dead on you if you leave it too long without charging it.

Or maybe we need both

tks

[mat22420]

i don't care for them my self iv always used 1a pick gun since i started. i tryed electric one few times i think there an waste of money.

[Capt_Tom]

Everyone has their opinions and likes. I pull out my hand picks and see if my wrists and fingers are going to work.... second, the pick gun (manual)... then there is the electric pick gun..... If all of those fail, there is the bump key (I just do not like to use it in front of customers)

BUT... I do whatever i have to do before pulling out a drill. The manual and electric pick guns are just another option in the tool chest.

[Phantom1016]

If you're still looking for input, the Southord E500XT I've found to be not as efficient as I'd like. I bought mine used and I am very sure a lot of it is user error but for being such a blunt, aggressive instrument, I have to spend too long on a lock to get it to work. I feel that I am doing more damage than what is warranted. If you work on locks in front of clients, I don't know that they'd want to hear what sounds like a sawzall spending 30 seconds chewing up their locks.

My cheap, manual gun takes only a little longer in most situations but doesn't tear up the place like the electric. Then again, the pull of the manual might not be good for arthritis either. You do whatever you need to in order to keep you going. The E500EXT will work if you need it to, it just isn't ideal for me.

[Capt_Tom]

I bought the Lockmaster's gun a while back. I use it when the hands don't want to work. I mostly use the manual pick gun, or one of my single picks...But, It is good to have a lot of choices in the arsenal before pulling out a drill. Which wasn't too often, but nearly never now.

[Phantom1016]

What's your thoughts on it's effectiveness vs the manual gun?

[Capt_Tom]

If I sat down with fifty different locks in two different piles.... I would pick those in front of the electric gun in quite less the time of the manual gun... and less pain in my wrists. And, as there are variables to deal with in the field... like that upside down lock, that it can surely help to overcome more quickly than with the manual gun. That said, the manual gun always comes out before the elect. on site....

I have sat at my bench with the electric pick gun, and amazed myself, as I zipped through locks. But, you do have to get the feel of it.