My crudely made cutaway...(pic)

[SnowyBoy]

I butchered that double cylinder union lock i had last night because my new picks should be arriving this week, and i want to get the hang of lifting the pins.

Least it gives me a nice visual guide showing me what movement i make with the pick translates into the pin.

http://img250.imageshack.us/img250/563/cimg4497qu4.jpg

Took the best part of 3 hours with only a hacksaw + file lol

You might notice the screws in the top, I thought i would do this instead of replacing the plugs i punched out, so if i decide to dismantle it, i can, without problems.

There's also a half cut circlip on the back of the plug with a grub screw holding it, so just unscrew the grub and the plug can come out too

[tmaxx258]

looks nice.

[SnowyBoy]

looks nice.

Personally i think it looks sh*t, but it behaves just as it did before i done the work, so that's the main thing

Thanks for your comment

[illusion]

You've done it the 'bad' way tbh.

You can't see the bottom pins, and hence you lose a big part of the cut-away.

What are all the bolts at the top for? OK, I know what they're for, but I'm wondering why you didn't repin the lock normally, thus removing the need to even use them.

Get some fine grade wet-or-dry sandpaper and get the lock smooth - it will look a lot nicer.

Other than that it's not a bad first attempt - I'll see if I can dig a photo up of one of the cylinder cut-aways I've made.

[illusion]

I just found a few pics of my older cut-aways on ym Photobucket account.

Evva DP5 - Cool lock with a sidebar.



My first cut-away - an Iseao 5 pin Euro-cylinder.



You can see how the working of the lock are better exposed and the better finish that comes as a result IMHO.

[SnowyBoy]

Nice cutaways

I'm not fussed about seeing the sheer line....I want to better myself at lifting pins individually, and higher than i am now.

I tend to over reach for the back pin all the time, and when i do get it, i never lift it high enough because i don't know the right movement to do so.

This helps me to see how high i am lifting the pin, thus allowing me to concentrate on manipulating the pick in the right way.

[SnowyBoy]

P.s I'm gonna have a go ad doing the same style you have

[Kaotik]

Here is one of my first cut-away's, it's an ABUS. I just havent got around to finishing the plug though.

Locked:


Unlocked:


I used a DIY milling machine to do the job.

[SnowyBoy]

Nice, I'm going to have a go with that other half!

Watch me make a right mess xD

[illusion]

Watch me make a right mess xD

I've ruined loads of locks - The good part is that you generally don't make the same mistake twice and improve greatly from making said errors.

Go for it - at the worst you'll mess up your lock, but you'll gain great experience.

Post photos when you're done - I'm enjoying this thread.

[SnowyBoy]

Go for it - at the worst you'll mess up your lock

Check!

It was bound to happen. Ah well, lucky i got about 5 locks comming tomorrow in the post

[Kaotik]

I'm enjoying this thread.

So am I, it has good potential.

It was bound to happen.

It's all a part of the learning curve. Just learn from it and most importantly, have fun.

[SnowyBoy]

I'm glad you like the thread.

Its been a bit crappy in pick fu lately, noobs signing up under the impression they are going to learn how to exploit locks over night. Its not going to happen, but they are convinced it will.

Anyway, I was going to ask you about this DIY milling machine, got any pics of it at all?

I was thinking of getting some sort of circular saw that is the perfect width for the grooves, as a hack saw is too thin, and the dremel attachment i have is too wide. Need a perfect balance in size between the two.

[Eyes_Only]

I've never built my own cut-away before but I know some of us who has made one have used a dremel tool if I remember correctly. There should be some cutting wheel that should work. I think LockNewbie used a dremel and finished his cut-aways with a diamond file or something like that.

[Peaky]

You can use two hacksaw blades on your saw to make wider cuts, dont use more than two or else the first becomes slack when the last is tightened,
Always finish off with needle files and emry paper,