Favorite tensioner positions?

[Gear Head]

It seems if I don't place the tension bar right in the middle on some locks they will not open or pick over as easy.
Should I keep different sized or shaped tensioners, or for the most part do you guys have one or two you always use?


"Besides application of pressure, the placement seems to play a large part."


Discuss.

[Octillion]

A variety of torque wrenches is just as important as a variety of picks. Where a torque wrench should be placed in the keyway will depend on the keyway and how you are picking the lock. Placing the wrench in a bad spot will make it difficult or impossible to insert a pick and successfully maneuver the pins/wafers. I have some locks that would be easy to pick, were it not for the awkward keyway making it hard to find a good spot to torque the plug.

[Hardliner]

I have locks that I can't pick unless I am using the right torque wrench. In particular I have found that in some cases the I think the wrong choice can cause the plug to bind before it turns enough to allow the pins to set. Last night I sat there for 15 minutes trying to pick this POS Garrison cylinder that I've picked hundreds of times in the past. I couldn't get a single pin to set at all until I switched to a narrower torque tool that sat better in the keyway. Then using the same pick, turning force and direction I was able to pick it over and over again.

PM

[Exodus5000]

There are many problems with standard L tension wrenches. Firstly they do not fit snugly in keyways resulting in reduced feedback. Secondly, due to the position they are inserted (usually the bottom of the keyway) it does not maximize the torque efficiency.

It is for the aforementioned reasons that I want to aquire a 2 prong tension wrench. I've tried my hand at making one recently but it ended not so well. If anyone has the plans for an adjustable or even fixed 2 prong tension wrench, please post them. I know the shape of a fixed 2 prong wrench pretty much speaks for itself, but maybe someone could suggest a material to make it out of.

[Pickermeapie]

I had a schlage SC1 that I couldn't get untill i put a 2 prong on it. The problem is that the 2 prong's arn't long enough to stay in the cylinder and often times slip out. If they are too long, they bind the first pin. I find them to be more cumbersome to use everyday than a L wrench. Just my $0.02

[dwkbb]

I agree with Hardliner. The right tension wrench can make all the difference. I have had the same types of experiences. It seems that using feel for how well the wrench moves the plug and provides feedback helps to determine the best one to use.

[Eyes_Only]

I find that keyways with a paracentric design can make placing the tension wrench at the bottom of the plug difficult. I usually perfer to use a stubby rigid wrench so it wont make contact with the No. 1 pin and place the wrench at the top of the keyway.

[illusion]

I find that keyways with a paracentric design can make placing the tension wrench at the bottom of the plug difficult. I usually perfer to use a stubby rigid wrench so it wont make contact with the No. 1 pin and place the wrench at the top of the keyway.

this is my favourite methord as well

you can place the wrench in between the wards on paracentric keyways sometimes.

[kodierer]

I have to use a variety of tension wrenches. My favourite "position" is the the tension wrench only inserted halfway into the lock at the side opposite the pins. My favourite tension wrench is the twist flex. The short one seems to have better feed back. Although I want to try one of the circular kinds to give my picks more working room in locks with virtually no room for a tension wrench.

[stlbolt]

I have a variety of different shapes and sizes, some fit into some locks while others dont... Some are stronger then others and allow flex... Just depends on the lock im picking and how it feels it works out.