Peterson SFIC IC-Core Tension Tool?

by **nooj** » 12 May 2007 12:59

I received this in the mail two days ago, but I can't seem to get it to work. Does anybody have any tips on how to use these tools on an SFIC lock? I read somewhere that using a toothpick will help, but I can't seem to find the thread any more. Any advice would be great. Thanks.

by **JackNco** » 12 May 2007 14:46

there should have been been a bit of paper with it saying you can wedge a flat toothpick in there to hold it in place.

by **nooj** » 12 May 2007 16:41

Thanks for the reply.
So once I fit the "fingers" of the tension tool into the holes at the bottom of the cylinder, I should wedge the flat toothpick on the side, turn it 15 degrees clockwise, then pick it. Correct?
Sorry if i'm being redundant, the whole two shearline thing is throwing me off.

by **JackNco** » 12 May 2007 17:15

not quite sure where the 15Â° thing is coming in. have you read up on the SFIC and the tool. the tool picks to the control shear line.

http://www.crypto.com/photos/misc/sfic/

read through that. also get your hands on a Falcon SFIC, you can strip these down and reassemble them unlike the "best" SFICs.

by **Eyes_Only** » 12 May 2007 17:57

They can be pretty tricky to use. I managed to open my A2 BEST lock I combinated based on a example in a manual by The National Locksmith but I've only managed to open it only 3 times and now I'm having a hard time with it again.

Also if you are placing the lock in a vise, either vertically or horizontally, don't clamp it down too much because the walls of the cores are so thin you can warp it out of shape which could cause even more problems. I put mines in a mortise shell thats designed to accept an IC lock so that takes away the possibility of warping the core.

by **JackNco** » 12 May 2007 18:06

I think i may have just done that with my vice....

using the Peterson tool i just unlocked it not opened it to the shear line...

by **JackNco** » 12 May 2007 18:06

not opened it to the control shear line i mean

by **nooj** » 12 May 2007 20:19

what do you mean by the vise? The toothpick that you wedge on the side?

by **JackNco** » 12 May 2007 20:26

no he mind a vice to hold it in place while you pick it.

by **nooj** » 12 May 2007 20:33

how would you use a vice to hold the tension tool in place? Can you just use your hand?

by **UWSDWF** » 12 May 2007 20:37

no to hold the lock silly

by **Eyes_Only** » 12 May 2007 23:54

I would recommend holding the lock in a plastic vise or at least one that has plastic jaws. My experience with regular bench vise is that it is very easy to get carried away with tightening down the lock with it. I messed up one of my mortise locks in the past that way and had I been using a regular metal vise on my IC lock I know I would have damaged it . After that experience I bought myself a PanaVise. Best vise I ever owned.

by **nooj** » 13 May 2007 0:58

AGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I can't take this any more! I can't open these locks!
Can anybody consistently open these locks? These locks are from the devil...

by **zeke79** » 13 May 2007 1:26

Yes I can open mine consistently. I just picked up one of my best padlocks and picked it to control and operating without any special tool.

Keep in mind that some of the new best locks are made to defeat these tension tools (if I recall correctly) as they do not have holes for the teeth to engadge. They now have slots which allow nothing for the sfic tool to grab on to.

by **Eyes_Only** » 13 May 2007 1:44

Strangely enough I can now open my lock at the control shearline with a my Peterson Pry Bar tensioner but not anymore with my IC tensioner, and only at the control line. I'm gonna put a little lube and see what happens.

Peterson SFIC IC-Core Tension Tool?

Peterson SFIC IC-Core Tension Tool?

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