Question about size of proper tension wrench

[epidemiologist]

I got the Sparrow Wizwazzle set (which I like a lot) and it has 18 tension wrenches in it. As a comparative newbie, I am a bit bewildered by the differences. It's clear that the widths are different sizes and the length of the L's vary, but many are close enough that they fit in the bottom of the keyway more or less the same. The "more or less" part seems to be important, though. Are there "rules of thumb" for which one to choose for a given keyway? Why so many that seem pretty much the same except for hairbreadth differences?

[catsoup]

Good rule of thumb is, if it works, use it.

It is nice to have a selection of tension tools because some keyways are very narrow and require very thin or short tension tools. Some require fatty tension tools.

You could probably get away with having one tension tool for 95% of locks, but it is nice to have the 'more right' tool for the job. It really just comes down to preference and what works best with your style of picking. I don't carry 18 of them around with me, that seems a little bit like overkill, but I do carry a few.

I carry in my kit...

Short L (standard wrench with about half of the bend cut off, used at 'top' of keyway, against pins.)
Standard
Standard Narrow
Peterson Pry
Twisted Handle
And one Standard one which I bent out to fit into cramped areas.

And I would consider this a more than necessary, but they dont weigh anything and I have the space, so why not.

[epidemiologist]

catsoup: Many thanks. Very helpful answer.

[Raymond]

That was a very good first answer. I would like to add to it.
As you gain more experience and try to pick a greater variety of locks, you will begin to notice significant facts about each keyway. Many of us pickers carry more turning tools than picks. In my wallet I carry: 2 - basic tools, but twisting the opposite directions with stepped tips, 1 - SFIC for A keyways, 1 - SFIC for E keyways, 1 - wide, and 1 - rigid. I only carry 1 curved pick and 1 - diamond pick.
There are many issues to take into consideration:
1. width of keyway. Will a small tool just spin around? Will a larger tool block access of the pick?
2. height of keyway. Is there adequate space to use top of keyway to turn? Will the tool even enter small keyways?
3. direction to turn to open. Some wards cause the tool to fall in and block the pick when turning one direction. A wall next to the lock may make turning one direction nearly impossible because your hand wont even fit.
4. keyway wards. Very tight keyways, double sided locks, locks with strong, spring-loaded dust covers, Locks with strong counter rotation springs.
5. quality of the lock. Will the turning tool actuall spread open the plug causing it to wedge in the cylinder. (Cheap plastic plugs are actually molded in two parts, fit together and held in place by insertion in the cylinder.) Is the plug so loose and sloppy that it will actually bind?
6. picking locks with spool pins. You often must be able to control both turning directions at the same time to slip a spool past the shear line.

Dont get caught up with having to have EVERY different tool someone can sell you. Work with what you have until you need a modification. Or plan for that modification and custom make exactly what you need. I would guess that less than 5% of all the pickers have never made a tool of their own. "Necessity is the mother of invention."
Bye

[sandplum]

There's some great information here in this thread! Thanks, guys!

[Squelchtone]

I spent the first few years of picking very focused on the best pick shapes to pick a lock, but I always used the same old tension wrench. I have finally learned that a good selection of wrenches is just as important as a good variety of picks for different situations, and different lock models.

Some of the standard store bought pick set tension tools are too small for some of the padlocks out there, and what happens when picking is that the wrench does not seat squarely in the keyway, and has a tendency to cam out and flop. A slightly taller or thicker wrench solves that problem by sitting in the keyway snugly.

There will be an Intro to Lockpicking talk with a hands on component in Somerville MA (Davis Square) on December 16th 1pm-5pm if you can make it. I will be there and will have with me many different locks and picks to talk about and try out for yourself.

Squelchtone

[epidemiologist]

First, thanks to all for the great info. Squelchtone: Artisan's Asylum? Will try to be there.

[Squelchtone]

First, thanks to all for the great info. Squelchtone: Artisan's Asylum? Will try to be there.

Not for this class but I am working on something with them down the road. This will be at Sprouts maker space at 339 Summer Street in the garage behind the house. Parking limited, permit only on the street.

Sprouts space:
http://thesprouts.org/

TOOOL (The Open Organization of Lockpickers) will also have a table or two at the Security B-Sides event at the Microsoft NERD center near the MIT campus on February 23rd 2013. I will be manning the table and teaching lock picking as well as showcasing some high security locks.

more info:
http://www.securitybsides.com/w/page/12 ... idesBoston

Squelchtone