Unique dimple lock tensioning technique

[priest144]

I recently decided to branch out into dimple locks. After a bit of research I bought a set of Sparrows Black Flag dimple picks and an Abus 751B/50 Marine padlock from Amazon and got to work.

Me: "I'm so excited; lets do this!"
Also me: "Um, how do I tension this thing?"

None of the Z-bars that came with the Sparrows set seemed to offer enough core control to keep the pins set during the counter-rotation phase of setting the spool pins. I fooled around with the included tensioners for a few minutes and here's what I came up with. It worked really well:



By having two opposing Z-bars, it allowed me to finitely control core movement in both directions, thereby keeping those pins set. Maybe someone has figured out this technique already, but I thought I would share what worked for me.

[jwrm22]

Thank you for sharing!
A German fellow taught me the trick on locks without springs (slider locks like Evva XPS).
I did not expect it to work for dimple padlocks.

[huxleypig]

I call this "float picking" and have been doing it for years. I call it that because you can very accurately 'float' between different states (false set or not). I started doing it originally to help with picking the Assa Twin gin bottles. Being able to perfectly control the rotation (without applying a continuous tension) can be invaluable.

[MBI]

I call this "float picking" ... Being able to perfectly control the rotation (without applying a continuous tension)...

Holy cow, I believe we now have a new lock picking term: "Float Picking."

I learned a new technique today, AND a new name for it.

Thanks guys.