Homemade I-Core tension wrench, link to image included.

[Oatmealer]

http://i.imgur.com/ysezcZq.jpg


The image is of the tension wrench I attempted and my previously mentioned BEST padlock (it was originally opened with bolt cutters 30+ years ago) and a BEST key-in-knob.

I followed instructions on making an I-Core tension wrench from an image that @squelchtone had posted.

I've been able to SPP both of these (with some degree of difficulty) to the operate shear line several times. Even with the newly made wrench, I still only get operate. Haven't gotten control yet. I have a spare I-Core cylinder (not a BEST) that I was able match up the completed wrench with and the raised areas of the wrench sink into the where the pins would be.

Any constructive criticism on the finished wrench? I'm assuming I just need to keep trying?

I can provide more images if needed.

Edit: image of wrench.

http://i.imgur.com/bJFMdK1.jpg

[teamstarlet]

I'll post an image of he one I made once I get back to a laptop, but take a look at the ones that Peterson's have and that should get you a good idea of what you want it to look like.

It's also really helpful if you have a spare SFIC core around that you can use to measure the distances/dimensions, as well as test for grip etc.

[billdeserthills]

I made a tension wrench that is much the same as yours over 25 years ago, to win a bet with my Dad & it did
I think your wrench tips are still a bit too large, I know mine really had to fit into the small holes that need to
be turned in the control chamber. I had an old ic core cylinder in my hand, so making the tabs really fit well was
easy for me.

Also the wrench may need a bit of a shim made, depending upon the keyway of the ic core cylinder, so that the
nibs will be standing up straight, while they are fitting in & turning the interior of the core. I just clipped off a small
piece of the bottom of a thin tension wrench to make my shim from & placed it next to whichever side of the tw needed
a bit more of a straightening

[WestCoastPicks]

Nice! Keep at it. The Teeth do look a bit too big, also a square file might work out better than a round. The tapered slopes might be bad for a nice positive lock in the holes.

[l0ckcr4ck3r]

Heres a couple of diagrams for reference and dimensions... I add a radius as well to help prevent the wrench cammimg out of the sleeve, but its probably not something you could do by hand. These are the diems ions that have worked best for me.

[Oatmealer]

I made a tension wrench that is much the same as yours over 25 years ago, to win a bet with my Dad & it did
I think your wrench tips are still a bit too large, I know mine really had to fit into the small holes that need to
be turned in the control chamber. I had an old ic core cylinder in my hand, so making the tabs really fit well was
easy for me.

Also the wrench may need a bit of a shim made, depending upon the keyway of the ic core cylinder, so that the
nibs will be standing up straight, while they are fitting in & turning the interior of the core. I just clipped off a small
piece of the bottom of a thin tension wrench to make my shim from & placed it next to whichever side of the tw needed
a bit more of a straightening

Great idea about the shim! I'll have to give it a try.

[Oatmealer]

Nice! Keep at it. The Teeth do look a bit too big, also a square file might work out better than a round. The tapered slopes might be bad for a nice positive lock in the holes.

Are the teeth too big meaning wide and deep? I think you may be right about the taper. I started with a square file and went with a round one to clean them up. I'll have to make another. Thanks!

[Oatmealer]

Heres a couple of diagrams for reference and dimensions... I add a radius as well to help prevent the wrench cammimg out of the sleeve, but its probably not something you could do by hand. These are the diems ions that have worked best for me.

That top image was the one that I saw that inspired it. I'll have to get the micrometer out give it a tweak! Thanks for the images!

[Oatmealer]

I made a tension wrench that is much the same as yours over 25 years ago, to win a bet with my Dad & it did
I think your wrench tips are still a bit too large, I know mine really had to fit into the small holes that need to
be turned in the control chamber. I had an old ic core cylinder in my hand, so making the tabs really fit well was
easy for me.

Also the wrench may need a bit of a shim made, depending upon the keyway of the ic core cylinder, so that the
nibs will be standing up straight, while they are fitting in & turning the interior of the core. I just clipped off a small
piece of the bottom of a thin tension wrench to make my shim from & placed it next to whichever side of the tw needed
a bit more of a straightening

I think I will need to make a shim. After some modifications, the teeth fit into the holes. It seems to "grab" them until I put the tension on it. The wrench just seems to wedge itself at almost a 45 degree angle in the bottom of the keyway. I don't think the teeth stay in the holes at that angle.

[dll932]

I made one a while ago, but if it's a Best Coremax core it won't help. There's an element at the rear of the keyway that has to be pushed back. I took a blank and cut it down to make a pusher (which worked) but then you can't use that tension wrench.

[Oatmealer]

I made one a while ago, but if it's a Best Coremax core it won't help. There's an element at the rear of the keyway that has to be pushed back. I took a blank and cut it down to make a pusher (which worked) but then you can't use that tension wrench.

I'm not sure what kind of BEST it is. It's a padlock that was used in the military in the early 80's. It was opened with bolt cutters, but I've been able to SPP it to operate and pop the little stub of a shackle up. The other is a BEST key-in-knob, also from the military. I've been able to SPP that to operate as well.

[dll932]

Here's Coremax:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsSJowv-tKU

I never thought of doing it as a 2 step process.

[Oatmealer]

Here's Coremax:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsSJowv-tKU

I never thought of doing it as a 2 step process.

Awesome! Thanks for the video!