Getting my Tubular Lock-Pick to work

[scrappy77t]

Hi everyone. I was wondering if anyone would share tips with me on getting my tubular lock-pick to work. I recently purchased a Southord TPXA-7 pick. I have read most topics in these forums and everyone seems to think that this is a nice pick. I can pick my practice tubular lock about 85% of the time but I can't pick any other ones with this pick. I have tried for literally hours with no success. I am not a thief and I am not trying to pick locks to steal but it is very frustrating because I can pick the practice lock but no others. Thanks for any help anyone can give me.

[Grudge]

Well, assuming your trying 7 pin locks and are using the right technique, it is all about the tension. Adjust the ring and increase (or decrease) the tension from were you have it now.

[raimundo]

these types of picks often need tweaking, pull the sliders back in just a millimeter from the end of the tube, and take a piece of 400 or 6oo grit black sandpaper and wrap it around the last half inch of the tube and the sliders, then turn the pick in this for a minute, this will sand the sharp edges of the sliders where they stick above the tube, and reduce friction a bit, it seems to help. then when you try it again, put some light machine oil in the lock, 3in1 oil if that brand is available seems to do it, this will let a little of the oil get under the sliders, you only need a tiny amount, if you get too much under one slider it will pull back much more quickly than the others, this can be wiped off with a napkin or something, You will get it, and when you do it will work well, Remember, tubular picks need some tweaking, even if you leave the pick and dont use it for a month or two, you should learn to tweak it a bit, this could be just push pull on the sliders to loosen any weak bond that may have formed with the rubber. When you are really good with the pick, all the tuneing up will just be part of the using it.

[scrappy77t]

Thanks guys!! I will try tweaking the pick and see if that helps. Also I have had a hard time understanding the tension subject. Is there any way other than guessing how tight to tighten the tension on the pick? Just wondering.

[Grudge]

Thanks from me too raimundo on how to do a tubular pick 'tune-up'.

[Nasydave]

Thanks guys!! I will try tweaking the pick and see if that helps. Also I have had a hard time understanding the tension subject. Is there any way other than guessing how tight to tighten the tension on the pick? Just wondering.

I use about two basic tensions. Grip the turning tension adjuster with the thumb and forefinger of one hand (circle your fingers around it) while holding the handle in the other hand. Twist your hands until the wheel stops and is tight. That's my basic tension, for cheap locks, including original ace's.

If you run across an ACE II, I twist the wheel really tight, perhaps 1/3 - 1/2 a turn beyond tension 1. For this you actually have to grab onto the wheel tightly.

One easy way to remember is when you do pick a cheap lock, take a black markey and make a line on the tension adjuster that lines up with the screw. Then you know where to start.