Review of Circular tension tool Pt. 1

[Eyes_Only]

I bought the spring loaded circular tension tool with the adjustable pegs for different key way size. It was pretty tricky to use in the beginning but after a few practice runs, it works pretty well. But the pegs on mines was a little too long to allow the tool to stay stable against the lock face so I borrowed a bolt cutter from my brother and snipped off a bit of it. Caused no adverse side effects on the tools performance.

[walkerjr]

I too bought the spring loaded adjustable model, and like you Eyes_Only i also had to trim the wires down as they were too long.

I'm still unsure with using the tool to pick however i do find it excellent whilst raking. I find the ability to keep a fixed torque on the plug a huge benefit. I do however like varjeal end up leaving it in a toolbox somewhere because it just doesn't fit in a pick case

[CapnCurry]

The circular tensioner I picked up from Southern Ordnance is the simple, no-frills design - same as the picture Stick posted earlier. I had to bend the prongs once, because they were spread too far apart, but having made this one adjustment I've never had to bend them again. I don't think durability should be too much of an issue - at least, I've never felt like the tool was anything less than sturdy, or that the act of picking was causing it any stress.

I've found, as a rule, that it does make applying tension to a lock much more controllable. I think it's because using the long-armed lever of a tension wrench magnifies force, whereas the circular tensioner is a little more direct. Plus, as mentioned earlier, it does apply equal pressure to both sides of the lock... it feels a little better. Neat, even.

[raimundo]

take one of those cheap keyrings, and simply bend the ends down to tips, one short for the top of a keyway, and the other a bit longer for the bottom of the keyway, then bend the part of the ends that you need to move these tips toward the center of the circle, close enough to be a tensor, now wind duct tape around the remaining part to simulate that part of the aluminum collet that you need to put fingers on, and do the experiment of comparing this with the store bought variety. Really what does a machined aluminum handle have to offer, I could use the plastic top of a coke bottle with the center cut out.

[maxxed]

This is interesting, any change in technique that can help on a difficult lockout is worth investigating. I have noticed these devices in various catalogs and have often wondered if they helped . I plan on making one from a couple of camera spacer rings and some spring steel, hope it works.