Crazy tensioning technique

[scriptguru]

Couple days ago I could not fall asleep for a long time and crazy idea came to my mind. Sometimes keyway is very tight and pins configuration is extremely uncomfortable, so tenstion wrench which prevents picking or falls away all the time makes picking not so fun. Is it possible to tension lock without taking place in keyway? Yes! It sounds crazy (or rather stupid) but you can just paste a specially made tension wrench to lock plug.

Today I tried it, and it works! I tried it with improvised tension wrench made of big paperclip, but I would highly recommend specially made tension wrench that doesn't bend (and thus provides good feedback). Don't worry, it takes one second to detach glued tension wrench and few more seconds to remove stains of glue from lock and tension wrench.

In conclusion, it seems to be a good solution with many pros and almost no cons. Especially it makes sense for locks that you want to pick but cannot pick yet.

Will try to attach some photos in my next posts.

[scriptguru]

[FarmerFreak]

Now that's an interesting idea! The only down side that I can think of would be if, and only if, you accidentally used too much glue and it got into the lock far enough to touch the first pin.

While I've never tried the glue method that you are showing. On the keyway that you are working on I've got a tension wrench that is ground down to fit pretty snugly in the top of the keyway. And it will stay in as long as I am it picking clockwise.

[femurat]

I may have seen something like this with a Best IC tension wrench and a drop of epoxy...

Cheers

[scriptguru]

I use instant glue and it works perfectly - you can start working in just a minute, and it is quite easy to remove when it is not needed anymore. Yes, the most dangerous thing about this approach is that you can glue the lock. I suggest to put glue only on tension wrench and only a thin layer of it (not a drop!).

This particular keyway is not so bad, but perhaps it is a pins configuration that makes picking hard. There is a much nastier keyway - it is exactly like this one, but mirrored. I'm going to try my new method on that look in few days.

[scriptguru]

One more good thing - this way you cannot break plug apart even if it is made of silumin or similar crap (it happened few times to me on cheapest locks).

[yono]

scriptguru, its some kind of an idea. however as Farmerfreak said of the downside. i just wanna ask you, have you tried this expirement while the lock cylinder is mounted?

[scriptguru]

For now I've tried it only on padlocks - I am not a locksmith, I just play with my own locks. However, I hardly imagine how it can be different for installed locks.

[scriptguru]

Funny enough, I found one more proof that there is nothing new u serious the moon.

"high security mechanical locks" book briefly describes this tensioning technique

[raimundo]

Take a normal tension wrench and pinch the blade between your thumb and forefinger, then use a feather or other weak material to push on the end of the tension wrench. You will find it very difficult to resist the turning of the tensor blade in your fingers.

the principle is called leverage, and while I almost never use a tensor over three inches long, I see on the videos that most of you are useing tensors that are 6 inches or more long. although you also seem to put the tension on with a finger so it isn't like your using all that length of lever.

My point here is that though I have not glued a bobby pin to a plug, depending on the oils and other finger juices that are on the face of that lock and the heavy leverage that you can put on it the chance of the tensor failing due to too much force is hard to dismiss.

[Josh66]

I wondered about the glue sticking to a dirty/oily lock too - that would be easy enough to get around by cleaning the lock first. Those little packets of pre-soaked lens cleaners would probably work. Just wipe it down before applying the glue. You could also scuff it up a little bit with some sandpaper or something - that would help the glue stick too.

[LocksmithArmy]

I have seen this technique before...
aswell as some speciall ground pliars (vicegrips) that gripped the outside of the plug when it sticks out

nice pictures tho

[MarkMcGrath]

I am highly suprised I haven't heard any of you use my two techniques. I stick handcuff keys on my gear from time to time with the little glue dots you see sold at office supply stores, but one of the best ones you could use is the double face adhesive tape 3M makes for its hangers. You can actually buy just the adhesive strip, cut to the tension tool, and stick it on. After you are done both come off with little to no residue. If you did have a greasey lock a good wipe with a alcohol pad would clear up the issue.

[Capt_Tom]

When you get too much "Super glue" into the lock... or have your fingers glued to your face...(private moment) get out a bottle of finger nail polish remover and dampen the area...... it doesn't take long. KEEP IT AWAY FROM YOUR EYES!!