retrievers

[prof]

home made picks & tension wrenches seem to attract a lot of disscussion, so how about key retrievers? I would think that they would be relatively easy to make & could be most useful, or is a certain type of pic suitable?

[illusion]

they are called broken key removers, and can be commercialy purchased, or homemade.

I haven't made one myself yet... no real need

the HPC 2000 series set looks nice

[Shrub]

Where in cheshire are you prof?

[WhiteHat]

The only proffessional ones that I've tried are the Southord ones.... as far as I'm concerned they're next to worthless... I found a thinner safety pin with a hook on the end made with pliars to be far more effective, although you run a greater risk of scratching something inside.

The HPC ones do indeed look more functional.

the idea is to insert the extractor down beside the key and latch onto the biting of the key, then pull out.

What else would you like to know about them?

(ooo - I answered a post for like, the first time in about 4 months....)

[vector40]

The only extractions I've managed to do (using some Peterson pullers) involved grabbing the bit of key that was visible in front of the pins (so not actually going under them, or beside the key, or between anything -- just grabbing the part that's sticking past the actual bitting) and tugging it out. To actually get between the key and the lock you need some better stuff, I think.

[capt.dunc]

i've made one from a straightened fishing hook in the past, it just took a bit of care to get it in, then used the line to pull the bit out.
you should have seen the size of the key that got away, it was massive

[prof]

many thanks for the replies. to answer the questions asked. I am from crewe in cheshire, currently employed by contractors doing maintenance which includes fitting locks & occasionally gaining entry, the current procedure being drilling.
I have always fancied locksmithing and would like to start 'part time' on my own doing lock outs. this would help me in my current employ & be something of a hobby. to that end I would like to build up a kit of tools, & obviously use to learn them, so far I have got into both of my desks & a couple of padlocks & continue to practice.
it apears that many prefer to make their own picks & tension bars, but I think as a newbe I need to purchase a few basics to get an idea, though I am already experimenting with making my own.
any advice appreciated.

[illusion]

if you want to make picks then a good starter is to download, Pyro's guide to making picks, the thread is here: http://www.lockpicking101.com/viewtopic.php?t=6269

A set of SouthOrd will provide you with a basic pickset if you choose to purchase them. http://www.locksmith-tools.co.uk will set you up with a set. another manufacturers is Peterson, they have nice handles in either plastic or rubber - since you're in England you might want to buy the "SouthOrd slimline" picksets which allow you to pick English cylinders with less trouble. Standard picks do in fact work, but there is a knack to placing them in the cylinder so they fit.

hope this was helpfull

[Shrub]

Been a while since i was at Crewe,
I last came as there was a breakers yard that dealt with only machinary as in lathes and millers etc, they got a lot of school and collage stuff that hadnt been used much and would sell it at rock bottom prices if you looked scruffy enough (i got great prices when i went )
Not sure if its still around, ill look out the number for you.

When i came it was only a word of mouth thing as they preferr to smelt the stuff down i think and also they couldnt sell untested gear.

Best bit of advice i can give is to have a good read around site make the search button your friend and stick around, youve made the first best decision and joined.

[prof]

hi shrub,

thanks, would appreciate that number, are you still (relatively) in the area?

[Shrub]

Im not realy near you as such but am still the same place, i did travel a fair bit

Im loking for the number as someone else wants it as well, all i can remember if i remember rightly is that it was near the train station i think, ive asked a mate who also went with me but has delt with them since to find me the number out, ill get back to you when i know,

I know someone who went and asked for a price for somthing, he is a rep and was in his suit, he came back with a massive price, we went with a landrover and trailer dressed in t shirst and boiler suits and came away with a Myford super 7 with all attachments hardley used for somthing like £200, that was for a mate of my dads and i always said i would go back for stuff but have a habbit of coming across things locally.

Ill let you know