Buy or manufacture shims?

[CCGearworks]

I am running a counter custody/kidnapping blog and I am considering selling things like handcuff shims through the blog. My problem is that there seem to be no viable suppliers of handcuff shims, keys, etc. So unless someone knows of a cheap supplier who would sell the things in bulk my only option would be to make them myself.

Is this a good or bad idea?

Thanks everyone!

[Squelchtone]

where have you looked?

Sparrows http://www.sparrowslockpicks.com/category_s/69.htm and Serepick http://www.serepick.com/products/ both sell the things you need.

Squelchtone

[CCGearworks]

Yeah, I know about those ones. I also looked at the following:

http://store.lawindustries.co.uk/products
http://www.oscardelta.co.uk/
https://store.itstactical.com/
http://www.vigilantgear.com/
http://blackscoutsurvival.bigcartel.com/
http://shop.riftrecon.com/

The problem is that once I get them shipped to Australia, add the cost of postage on top of what I paid for them, and then add a small profit on top of that so that I can get more, I end up with something that is a lot more expensive than anyone else. Which is not desirable when you want to compete with other businesses.

[Squelchtone]

ahh, didn't realize you are based in Australia. The only way to get around it is to buy in massive bulk from one of these companies, like 500 shims at a time, the shipping will still be $20-$40 dollars but at least you have enough product in stock that you can resell it at a mark up and still make some money.

otherwise you have to look into making your own at a local machine shop or some other place that will stamp them out of metal for you.

Please fill in your profile, so folks know your location

Squelchtone

[CCGearworks]

Profile updated.

[Sinifar]

The basic problem with opening handcuffs is this.... IS the deadlock engaged? That is the little pin that one pushed in after the things are on the perp. It keeps him from trying to shim the things open by blocking the pawl like a deadbolt. Normally with the key, you turn one way and the deadlock opens then the other way and the pawl releases and the cuff opens. Knowing this - you first need a hook pick and just where exactly you need to turn to get that pin "up". You will need a set of regulation cuffs to experiment with to find out. I won't tell you.

The next thing you need is a Weiser shim pick. This is a heavier than usual pick which is used on Weiser Locks when the actual locking part can't be disassembled from the knob and you have to work with the whole knob. There is a previous post on this up in Locks section. Taking the Weiser shim pick you force it into the cuffs at the outside of the grab area for the ratchet, and shim the pawl upwards. the cuff will open. This is the only thing I have found which is "stiff" enough but flexible enough to work the thing open.

You buy a Weiser shim pick thru any lock supplier.

Sinifar

[MBI]

I love those Weiser shims.
SO many things you can use them for.

Someone told me a while back that they've been discontinued.
I can't imagine why they would do that, but I'm going to stock up just in case.