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Modified wrench

When it comes down to it there is nothing better than manual tools for your Lock pick Set, whether they be retail, homebrew, macgyver style. DIY'ers look here.

Modified wrench

Postby vector40 » 5 Jul 2005 1:43

Hey, thought this might be of interest. I had a few minutes, so I took one of my ordinary SouthOrd tension wrenches -- straight L, no twist, thick -- and modified it a little. The idea came from fiddling with raimundo's finger-loop picks, which are really awfully easy to control, so I heated the shaft and bent it with two pliers (didn't quite make a full loop, but oh well), and also trimmed down the working end with wire cutters and a file.

Looks like:

Image

I've been quite impressed by how this works. Getting in so close to the plug makes manipulation really easy, and the loop makes it extra simple to control the wrench, which is one main problem with this sort of wrench -- it's hard to keep them in place. The short tip also lets you stick it in any old where (make sure it's smooth -- I didn't polish it seriously, but at least that there's no burr or sharp edges). I can put it in the bottom, twist either way, even just push or pull linearly... or put it at the top of the keyway in front of the pins, and it's the first wrench I've been able to keep in the lock that way, given its small size and the helpful loop.

Works awfully well, honest; I've been using it with the Bogota picks and it shines. Caveat that I'm almost exclusively a raker, so I'm not sure how it'd work for single-pin picking, but it's at least worth a shot. You really get very direct control, as opposed to the ordinary SO wrenches, where you're often basically just sticking it in there and sitting on it, like a crowbar. I might even prefer it to the standard bogota wrenches, since it makes it a little easier to keep yourself out of the way of the pick (it can get crowded in there). Still playing around.

Give it a try.
vector40
 
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Postby Shrub » 5 Jul 2005 5:22

I did a simular thing for a differant out come,

If you continue the bent part back on its self so its back to the plane it was then you now have a very good feather wrench,

Like your idea though and am doing some bogottas this afternoon so while im at it i will make some wrenches like yours for a try.
Shrub
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Postby steel blade » 5 Jul 2005 17:30

Nice to see some new ideas on tension wrenches. everyone seems to do the same boreing ones. I know, I know, about Falle and the other specialist ones, but lets face it, most of the time its just a L shaped piece of metal with perhaps a twist in it.

Ergonomic handles, adjustable angle handles, as long as its responsive and gives good feed-back why not?

I think you are onto something there. Let us know how you get on.
steel blade
 
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Postby Mad Mick » 5 Jul 2005 17:46

vector40 wrote:make sure it's smooth -- I didn't polish it seriously, but at least that there's no burr or sharp edges

To get around the wrench slipping in the keyway, I usually rough up the edges of the tang which grips the keyway, with some 120 grit paper.
Image If it ain't broke.....pull it down and see how it works anyway!
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Postby vector40 » 5 Jul 2005 18:12

On the other hand, Mick, then you've gotta make sure it's not hitting the edge of the shell, or you'll never turn the thing at all. Always a tradeoff.

I've played with this a little more, and at its best it's opened some locks I've never cracked before. Very swank.
vector40
 
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Postby Mad Mick » 5 Jul 2005 18:28

True vec. Perhaps I should elaborate a little further though...

I should have mentioned the roughing of the tang when placing the wrench in the top of the keyway...my bad.

I agree with your smoothing when placing the wrench in the bottom of the keyway, some keyways are hard to stop the wrench from touching the shell. Others are so darned tricky to stop the wrench from turning and restricting pick access. Always a compromise I guess...

Glad your wrench design is working for you....I may have to make one or two. :D

Did you try making any of the Falle-type two-prongers yet?
Image If it ain't broke.....pull it down and see how it works anyway!
Mad Mick
 
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Postby kspec » 14 Jul 2005 13:11

actually i just made a prototype adjustable 2 prong wrench...its not done yet. i dont actually have any locks to make all the smal adjustments...as soon as i can i will post a pic
when is a door not a door??? when its ajar
kspec
 
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Postby vector40 » 19 Jul 2005 1:16

I'm nowhere near enough of a bad#ss to make something that complex. I'm just plotting to stab some innocent locksmith in his sleep and make off with his Falles.
vector40
 
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