Peterson SFIC tensors

[theTastyCat]

Hey all - this is an update to this thread (viewtopic.php?f=9&t=49972&start=0). I ordered the three Peterson SFIC tensors and the two specialty slim picks. I've knocked out stacks to where I've got BEST SFIC cores with one, two, three, four, five, six, and seven stacks, and am working my way up. However, I must be using the Peterson SFIC tensors wrong.

When I pick the one-stack core, I can only pick it to the operating line, unless I apply no tension and shove the stack really high, then turn, in which case it will open at the control line. The 2-stack I can only pick to the control line. I can only pick the 3-stack to the operating line. I haven't opened the 4-stack yet.

So methinks I'm not using these Peterson tensors right. I should be always picking to the control line, right? That's the whole point of these tensors - any tension tool should be able to get you to the operating line except that it's a pain in the butt because these are great locks, and the Peterson tools should give you a substantial advantage over a regular wrench. Please help! The instructions for these tools said something like I should shim the tensor with flat toothpicks or something, which might help the wrench from sort of snapping up and out of the holes after about 10 seconds of picking. Anyway, I know these locks are no biggie at all for a lot of you guys, so I would really appreciate any input.

Many thanks. Pics and such in the other thread reference at the top.

[Evan]

@theTastyCat:

You have to practice how to engage the Peterson SFIC control sleeve tension tool in the ejector pin holes at the bottom of the keyway... It takes a lot of practice to learn how to tension the control sleeve without having the tool jump out of the ejector pin holes and basically become a normal tension tool on the plug only...

It sounds like you are using too much tension and jarring the grooves of the tool out of the ejector pin holes if you are picking to operating with the special tension wrench...

As far as having trouble with the cores with very few pin stacks it sounds like you might be using too much tension, SFIC's like very light tension and there are other members here who have more experience picking them who can chime in with more specific advice...

As to picking SFIC's to the operating shear line, you would use a normal tension tool and apply tension to the plug only...

~~ Evan

[chriswingate]

The SFIC tension wrenches don't mean a definite control line pick. Even though the tension wrenches are applying tension to the control sleeve, it is still tensioning the whole plug. Honestly it's all about where you are picking the stacks to, if it is picking to operating, then some of the pins are being under or over lifted. Practice is basically all you can do. Try varying the amount of tension you are using as well, you may be popping the wrench teeth out. When I pick SFIC, like BEST, Falcon, Arrow, I rarely use the special tension wrenches, they do help, I will tell you that.

What you can do if you are getting stuck on a certain number of pin stacks, say three. Try adding one more to make it four, the binding order of the pins can change and the pins you are having trouble with may pick differently. I know it may seem odd to add another stack of pins if you are stuck on three, but it can help you to get a feel of how the pins respond with more pins binding, you may end up picking it to control.

Anyway, this is my take on it, there are many good members here that will give you more advice. Practice and practice.

[LocksmithArmy]

You only need to shim the wrenches if the don't fit the keyway properly, ifyour using the "A" wrench in an "A" keyway you should be good...

In my expieriences using these wrenchies does meen you wont pick it to the user sheer line if you are using them correctly. The wrenh grabs the controll lug aswell as the plug so you simply can't bind anything at the plugs sheerline because the controll lug moves with it. Granted the tool can slip out, you just need practace to know the minute movement that the wrench will do tellingyou its only on the plug now. Be carefull not to over tension as its much easier to slip out whenyou use too much force.

On another note... stare with an easier lock. Like falcon
Best has really tight toleraces, when learning sfic id not start with best if you have access to somthing else.

[theTastyCat]

WHAT? ME use TOO MUCH TENSION?

Um, yeah - I've enjoyed some of my greatest moments of picking triumph when I just ease up on the tension. I'm certain that I'm overtensioning. I will say that the BEST cores that I have were heavily used, so they're dirty and take a little effort to turn the key in, but still, that's no excuse. And I'm cool with them being that way - we all need to learn to adapt and overcome!

Yeah, I know that these cores are really well-made, difficult locks, and I shouldn't have any reasonable expectation of conquering even the four-stack one anytime soon. LocksmithArmy's YouTube video, the entire clip of which isn't even three minutes, really got my attention. Something to strive for, clearly.

Thanks for the help, fellas - just easing up on tension will likely change pretty much everything.

[Moses057]

Are these things some kind of voodoo magic or what? I saw a couple of YouTube videos with sfic's being picked these tension tools and they opened to control in seconds.
Do they really make a difference?
If I'm getting ready to move on to sfic's should I get some of these wrenches?

[greengrowlocks]

Are these things some kind of voodoo magic or what? I saw a couple of YouTube videos with sfic's being picked these tension tools and they opened to control in seconds.
Do they really make a difference?
If I'm getting ready to move on to sfic's should I get some of these wrenches?

You can pick to control or operating using just standard TOK tensioning. In my experience it's quite random or lock dependent on which you get too. Some I can pick to only operating and some only to control. I have the set of three from Peterson and have had mixed success with them even when using flat toothpicks. If your set on getting one there is a thread on here on how to make your own. I think the Peterson tensioners would be better if they had longer teeth.

[gumptrick]

Are these things some kind of voodoo magic or what? I saw a couple of YouTube videos with sfic's being picked these tension tools and they opened to control in seconds.
Do they really make a difference?
If I'm getting ready to move on to sfic's should I get some of these wrenches?

I have never used them personally. But it seems that the tool is designed to grab the part of the core used to lock it in place, therefore it's specifically attempting to tension the control shearline only rather than both shearlines like you would get with a normal tension tool. I can visualize how they work but I've never had a need for them as a hobby picker. I imagine a locksmith who needs to swap cores would find them a lot more useful.

[Squelchtone]

Are these things some kind of voodoo magic or what? I saw a couple of YouTube videos with sfic's being picked these tension tools and they opened to control in seconds.
Do they really make a difference?
If I'm getting ready to move on to sfic's should I get some of these wrenches?

I have never used them personally. But it seems that the tool is designed to grab the part of the core used to lock it in place, therefore it's specifically attempting to tension the control shearline only rather than both shearlines like you would get with a normal tension tool. I can visualize how they work but I've never had a need for them as a hobby picker. I imagine a locksmith who needs to swap cores would find them a lot more useful.

That is correct, here is a write up by Matt Blaze, http://www.crypto.com/photos/misc/sfic/

and this useful graphic viewtopic.php?f=4&t=49785#p376150

Squelchtone

[billdeserthills]

I made my own SFIC tension wrench over 25 years ago just to win a bet with my Dad,
who said it couldn't be done--that was before anyone sold these tension wrenches.
I just took a flat file and removed some material, in order to make some little 'teeth'
that fit into the core, on the bottom which places tension upon the control lug

Although sometimes TOK tension could work the control lug randomly, as a locksmith
I can't be standing there all day, hoping for the best. I have used my 'comb tension' wrench
a few times, it has always worked. Sometimes I hafta slide a shim next to the tension wrench,
to keep it oriented correctly while in some keyways

[Shackle Jackal]

I made my own SFIC tension wrench over 25 years ago just to win a bet with my Dad,
who said it couldn't be done--that was before anyone sold these tension wrenches.
I just took a flat file and removed some material, in order to make some little 'teeth'
that fit into the core, on the bottom which places tension upon the control lug

Although sometimes TOK tension could work the control lug randomly, as a locksmith
I can't be standing there all day, hoping for the best. I have used my 'comb tension' wrench
a few times, it has always worked. Sometimes I hafta slide a shim next to the tension wrench,
to keep it oriented correctly while in some keyways

Ask and you shall receive !!! this morning I was considering making an IC tension wench , I was thinking of taking windshield inserts, marking them with dykem or a sharpie and seeing if i could "impression" the grooves for the control sleeve in the core. Would this work ? if not could you explain your process ? any help would be greatly appreciated.

[gumptrick]

The teeth on the tensioner simply need to match the same spacing as the pins. You could probably get that from impressioning. If you have a key you could simply use that to get the spacing. You want to make your tool so it has a little "tooth" spaced at the center of each pin hole.

[billdeserthills]

I made my own SFIC tension wrench over 25 years ago just to win a bet with my Dad,
who said it couldn't be done--that was before anyone sold these tension wrenches.
I just took a flat file and removed some material, in order to make some little 'teeth'
that fit into the core, on the bottom which places tension upon the control lug

Although sometimes TOK tension could work the control lug randomly, as a locksmith
I can't be standing there all day, hoping for the best. I have used my 'comb tension' wrench
a few times, it has always worked. Sometimes I hafta slide a shim next to the tension wrench,
to keep it oriented correctly while in some keyways

Ask and you shall receive !!! this morning I was considering making an IC tension wench , I was thinking of taking windshield inserts, marking them with dykem or a sharpie and seeing if i could "impression" the grooves for the control sleeve in the core. Would this work ? if not could you explain your process ? any help would be greatly appreciated.

I think all I did was place the tension tool into the keyway while holding an IC core cylinder
in my hand & marked it with my sharpie, or made little scratches with an icepick & filed around
the marks, until you have a 'comb' shape that fits into the holes in the cylinder shell