Tubular Picking

[cuttinedge1]

So I just made a tubular tension wrench out of a trucks windshield wiper and will post pictures if any one is interested. I heard you have to pick the tubular lock 8 times because the pins drop back every time you turn. Could you just pick it once and turn it very slightly then use a lighter to partially malt the end of a pen cap and push that into the lock. Would this make a working key of a screwed up lock? I know I should probably shell out the money for a real tubular pick

[NinjaLlama]

I heard you have to pick the tubular lock 8 times because the pins drop back every time you turn. Could you just pick it once and turn it very slightly then use a lighter to partially malt the end of a pen cap and push that into the lock. Would this make a working key of a screwed up lock?

The tubular locks I have only rotate 90° from the locked to unlocked position. You would still have to pick it multiple times to unlock it, but it would be about 3-4 times instead of 8. Although, I suppose the number of times you have to pick it would be determined from how far you wanted it to rotate.

Some tubular locks can be opened just with the pen body due to self-impressioning. I believe this is possible when the key pins are all the same length and the springs have similar force. I imagine this improvised key would wear out fairly quickly with repeated use though.

[lamdamu]

i'm interested in tubular picking, i feel good with normal picking and i think it's time to start learning tubular picking, your photos can help me to do my own lockpicking for tubular.

[somenewguy]

i'm interested in tubular picking, i feel good with normal picking and i think it's time to start learning tubular picking, your photos can help me to do my own lockpicking for tubular.

In some ways, it's actually easier; you have all the key pins staring you in the face.

[cuttinedge1]

i'm interested in tubular picking, i feel good with normal picking and i think it's time to start learning tubular picking, your photos can help me to do my own lockpicking for tubular.

You don t have to make a new pick just a new tension wrench. A regular hook can be used to press down tubular pins.

This is the picture I used to make my tension wrench. Paste this image into Microsoft Word and resize the picture until the inside spacing of the top (larger) gap in 1/4 inch and print it out. I used a truck windshield wiper insert so I only made the top part and did not make the warded picks. If you use other steel you can make the whole thing which is pretty cool. If you have a pair of calipers they are very helpful. The only tools you need are needle files.

[GWiens2001]

That type of tension wrench is the basis for the tension wrenches I use the most with tubular locks...

These are made with hacksaw blades.



Gordon

[cheerIO]

Can someone post a picture showing how those fit into the locks?

Don't they block access to the pin at 6 o'clock?

[GWiens2001]

Here you go! The first picture shows how to fit the tension wrench into the lock, the second and third pictures show the two different size tension wrenches in the lock, so you can see how to choose which one fits the lock better.







Gordon

[cheerIO]

Oh, I think I get it.

The gap in the tool is slightly smaller than the line along the diameter of the plug from the bottom of the broaching to the other side of the plug. That way the tool puts a rotational force on the inside edge of the broaching when twisted.

That is a pretty cool tool. I'll have to make a couple of those.

Thanks.