Building a Dimple Rake

[SalaKrestu]

Hello guys, I bought this lock to practice on:
http://img12.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pic1dxz.jpg
it should be an Eurocylinder Dimple Lock if I am not wrong. I looked everywhere but I cannot find a tutorial on how to build a dimple rake, can you help me? Also, for the SPP will a small half-diamond pick do the job?

Perhaps a few of you will remember my first self made "lockpick" (the fork-pick viewtopic.php?f=8&t=44064 ), well I tried to build a better set as you suggested and here is the result:
http://img12.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pic2f.jpg
They still look kinda crappy but they are almost decent this time. I've been able to open quite a few tumbler locks just by raking them. I tried to polish them as much as I could, since I've read that the polishing is one of the most important steps in making a good pick. Anyway I am still open to suggestions on how to improve my picks.

[femurat]

This is what I call a big improvement! This new tools have nothing to do with your older ones. You still need some sandpaper, but you already know...

About this lock you're right, it's a dimple lock, euro profile. I think that raking it isn't the way to go. Try a big diamond or a ball and SPP.


I made this picks as a handle experiment and now the one in the center (now that I've sanded it properly) is my favourite pick for dimple locks. The little valley in the center of the diamond is a very good way to keep it firmly on the pin you're working on.

Good luck

[raimundo]

You can see 'El Gorgon' using his 'ganzua chino' on you tube, this is a type of "matador" pick sold by the oriental companies.
with a piece of brick strap, a tin snips, and a nail you can make something like it.

brickstrap is mild steel, file off the point of the 16penny nail (large nail for 2x4s) and use the blunt tip to put dents in the brick strap, then after putting in the dents, cut it to size, width and lenght of the key, and sand off the burr on the edges, and you have a dimple rake.

[SalaKrestu]

Thanks guys, I appreciate your tips!

[Legion303]

I use a half-diamond to pick my dimple locks. As for a dimple rake, if you can find pictures it should be easy to figure out how to make one.

-steve

[datagram]

Half diamond as legion said, but also half circle/round also work surprisingly well.

dg

[Slick Pick]

Here is a link to a four piece set
http://www.pickntools.com/index.php?act ... ductId=324
Its pretty good close up that may help if you decide to make your own.
I can set almost all the pins on my sergeant kesso with the half diamond but have yet to open it.

[SalaKrestu]

Thanks a bunch, that's useful!

[Riordian]

By the looks of its keys and lock I think that it isn't just a dimple lock, rather a Mul-T dimple lock using pin-in-pin mechanics, i can't be sure because I can't get a clear view of the keys.

[SalaKrestu]

By the looks of its keys and lock I think that it isn't just a dimple lock, rather a Mul-T dimple lock using pin-in-pin mechanics, i can't be sure because I can't get a clear view of the keys.

It is a 6 pins lock, if this can help somehow...

[SalaKrestu]

I just googled it and found out this description of a Mul-T: http://www.crypto.com/photos/misc/mul-t-lock/

I wouldn't say it is a Mul-T dimple lock, since that mechanism sounds rather expensive. Mine was one of the cheapest between the dimple locks (a little bit more than 9 euros)...

Sorry for the double post, I just noticed I am not allowed to edit my previous one.

[Riordian]

Then is just a dimple one. Most europrofile cylinders that i've encountered that are mul-t are expensive (they have the same look as yours). By the way the article you've found, i've used it to, in order to explore the mechanics of Mul-T, and as you've learned pins are only to one side (so does yours as i see in the picture you provided), they made it double in order to make it easier, you know you can insert the key either way.
As for tips on building a dimple rake all the info are given here, but if you are interested in pin by pin then a half-ball/diamond will work as others said.