MPXS 11, any one noticed this before?

by **technik** » 15 Feb 2004 3:47

has anyone ever noticed that the MPXS-11 has 2 identically shaped half diamond picks? One has re-enforced handles and the other doesn't, but I have never used the 2nd pick because the heads are identical.

(The 2nd and 4th picks from the left)

This is pretty stupid, because the pick could have been replaced with a full ball pick, or some other piece of equipment. I was wondering if anyone else shared this thought.
Also, the pick shown 8th from the left, the double sided pick, has anyone ever had success with this pick? I dont know why it is so thin, as i cannot use it comfortably, as it bends and turns too easily. They seem to be very popular however, because they are always in picks sets.

by **Grudge** » 15 Feb 2004 5:58

The practice is (of including multiple identical or nearly identical picks) is very common. The MPXS-32 is heavily redundant with nearly everything being duplicated in handled and non-handled picks. Yet another reason folks should stay away from large pick sets. Most of the picks just gather dust.

The little double sided guy is kinda of an emergency all-in-one tool. It combines both a rake and diamond so just with a tension wrench (which can often be improvised) you are ready to go picking. It is kinda flimsy (I have the hook and snake version, but pretty much the same) however with care it works just fine. But again its not an 'everyday' pick but more of an super portable pickset.

by **Chucklz** » 15 Feb 2004 10:35

The diamond is generally considered to be many times more useful than a ball pick, so doubling up isnt as terrible as you make it seem

by **Saint** » 15 Feb 2004 11:10

Regarding the 2 half diamond picks, I think, from lookin at the picture and from one the lockpicking guides I downloaded, that they're of different steepness, ie. that one is something like 45 degrees and the other one is 30 degrees, as some locks might pick better with a pick that's shallow.

Or are they exactly the same.

by **CitySpider** » 15 Feb 2004 22:41

They're the same.

by **technik** » 16 Feb 2004 7:10

yep. identical

by **plot** » 1 Mar 2004 17:55

i don't really know of anyone that uses a ball pick. last time i ordered a set though, i ordered an extra diamond pick, and an extra hook pick, cause that's what i use 95% of the time or more, and... probably the majority of the people here would agree.

of course, ball picks are for wafers whereas diamonds are more for pin tumblers... still, don't know of anyone haveing much success with ball. exspecially verse diamond picks.

by **Chucklz** » 1 Mar 2004 18:17

I would have to disagree with you again. I've been quite successful with ball and double ball picks for wafer locks, but as above, I've never had a situation in which the ball pick would be my first choice. I have not found a non-sidebar/split wafer wafer lock that I couldn't open with a ball pick. But, as you point out, a good half diamond beats the ball hands down.

by **Luke** » 2 Mar 2004 1:16

One of the diamonds is a half-diamond the other is a full diamond.

by **CitySpider** » 2 Mar 2004 1:31

Luke wrote:One of the diamonds is a half-diamond the other is a full diamond.

No, that's wrong. SouthOrd doesn't make a full diamond standard-width pick.

You have a decent sized Southord set, right? You posted a picture of it in another thread. Maybe you could post a picture of whatever you're calling a "full diamond?"

by **Garbit** » 20 Mar 2004 4:39

Would you say that the eight piece set is any good, im wanting to get it!

Eight Piece Lock Pick Set With Metal Handles
Our MPXS-08 set includes five picks with stainless steel handles, a broken key extractor, and two tension tools in a very compact snapover leather case.

Part Number - MPXS-08

Is this any good?

by **Quin** » 20 Mar 2004 4:45

To be honest it is the amount of tension wrenches you can get that will help you the most.

I tend to use the same 2 or 3 picks but a multitude of tension wrenches.

imo the 11 piece set is the best buy because you also get a double ended slimline in case you come up against a very small keyway plus 3 tension wrenches plus a broken key extractor (not as important but you never know)

by **Garbit** » 20 Mar 2004 4:47

How do you actually use the broken key exstractor??

by **plot** » 20 Mar 2004 6:31

Garbit wrote:How do you actually use the broken key exstractor??

the key has to really be fubar'd... then you just snag it with the pick so to speak, and drag it out.

but like i said, the key has to be really jacked up for it to be really usefull. at least, from what i can tell, i've never come across a broken key that that extractor was the slightest bit usefull for. since they sell a 4 peice broken key extractor though, i'm guessing it's usefull for something... maybe car door keys or something, where there might be enough room to slide a slim pick in beside the key or something...

by **jason** » 20 Mar 2004 7:50

You use the broken key extractor by putting it into the lock with the barb facing the key cuts (if you put it in the other way it'll get stuck as well and you'll look really stupid). Then you pull back gently and the barb "should" hook into the bitting of the key pulling it out just enough to get a grip with a pair of needle nose pliers and pull it the rest of the way.

The 4 piece set (I've got the stainless steel ones from HPC) have slightly different barbs/heads. If anyone want's it, I can scan them and post them up for comparison.

Generally though just one is enough - if the key is too badly jammed it has probably been glued in for good measure (it that case it means they didn't pay their previous locksmith - get the cash off the client first in that case!!!).

MPXS 11, any one noticed this before?

MPXS 11, any one noticed this before?

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