DX tension wrench too big?

[baneat]

I'm new to all this lock picking, but my SAFE 40mm padlock I'm trying to open with the 9-piece set of picks from dealextreme.com doesn't have enough room to freely move the pick (rake or hooks) when the tension wrench is in. I heard you can make a slimmer one out of a bobby pin. Can you? If so, how? Also, it comes with a "C" rake with a single bend in it. Does the outside of the bend face the pins, or the other way around?

[Baloopaloop]

In a lock like this I would suggest top tensioning the lock, it's basically a tension wrench that fits just infront of the first pin. Don't waste time with a bobby pin, I find they just make you more discouraged when you descover they don't work and on the rake you have, the tall bump on it goes up (facing the pins) but you can use it the other way, depending on the lock really


Hope this helps you man

[[CAVE]Lawrence]

Not to toot my own horn, because it's small, and makes a whiny little sound, but..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2JcwFXJ6KQ

Here's what I did for a really small lock. There are other ways as well, but I didn't have any strong paper clips, and I like to figure things out for myself rather than "cheat". Not sure if you can cheat in life hacks, but.

My wrench wouldn't fit to the top of the keyhole, my thin wrench kept slipping off the hole, and my thick one hit the front pin, and blocked the keyhole. and both were way too big to insert into the bottom.

You can pretty much see the shape of the hairpin in the video, but basically
You take the hairpin, and open it and make it straight.
Then bend a handle on it on the other end.
Then take pliers and bend the end of the hairpin sideways (hard to explain, so check the vid out).

That gives it enough width to attach to the keyhole, and you can just fit the pick inside a really small lock.