Tension Wrenches

[sysreq]

Hi all,

First post so go easy.

So I have some picks and some cheap and nasty euro locks.
I have found Digital Blue's tutorial recommending removing pins from the locks so I have a lock with 1 pin and one with 2 and i'm practising picking and trying to build sensitivity and muscle memory to move onto 3 pins. But i'm not sure about the tension wrench, the lick set I got (Southord 22pc slimline) has a number of different wrenches in it some the same width all the way along and some a couple of mm thinner.

I'm curious how tightly should the wrench be in the keyway? The thicker one is snug but starts to get in the way of the pick but the narrower on seems too sloppy.

Any advice?

[darklighterz7611]

You want want as much room as possible in the key way for the picks to maneuver

Ideally you would also want a snug fit with the tension wrench, but as long as there's enough room so the tension wrench doesn't slip while picking you're good to go.

If you're still worried, stick a tension wrench in the keyway and practice fluctuating tension from mild to strong to mild to strong etc, do it reasonably fast. if the wrench doesn't slip you're good to go.

But the picks are the important part, if you have to sacrifice something it'l always be the fit of the tension wrench than the maneuverability of the picks.

BTW db's guide is a good one stick at it!!

[darklighterz7611]

p.s. also well made Euro key profiles can be a bit of a pain when it comes to tensioning (There designed partly to try and make picking harder) so i though it prudent to mention that once tension is applied a lot of the times that sloppy feeling goes away. just make sure you test it out first else it may slip as you're picking...

Also in your set there is a Z wrench (looks like a Z), one side is 'smaller' than the other if you carefully place and line up this smaller edge and then carefully apply tension you should find its quite stable. Its all about maintaining that friction (tension).

Or you could use the TOK (top of the keyway) method which has its advantages.

[nostromo]

I teach non-destructive entry courses and below is what I recommend for thorough (ie- you have the time) tw work. You may not even need to do all this, just go for inserting the short length of the dogleg into the bottom of the keyway, long length to the right, and go for it.

So- you might want to try all the tw's, but use only one pick while working - either a half diamond or a medium hook. Try the tension wrench both at the bottom and at the top of the keyway, clockwise and counterclockwise.

The idea is to get a feel for how different techniques work for you. Which wrench and position stays in the keyway while working the pins? Which give you the best working room? How little working room can you have and still work the pins all the way in back?

A tighter fit in the top of the keyway gives better control. You might consider doing an 80 degree bend at the longer, 'non-dogleg' part of the wrench to make about a 4-5mm leg for working the top of the keyway. What you want is a leg that grabs the keyway without touching the first pin or wafer.

Now that you've mastered repinning a cylinder, don't be shy about setting one up with more pins (fairly similair in depth if you can, to start) so you can get used to manipulating the pins front and rear.

Getting more locks to work with will widen your skill, too. Such as auto door or trunk locks that need longer tw 'dogleg' length so you can get past the spring loaded shutter and the gap behind it to reach the keyway body.

Hope this helps!

[darklighterz7611]

Now thats an informative answer, wish i had the patience for that much typing!!!

[sysreq]

Thanks all for the advice, I guess it is just a case of playing with it and see what works.

[Unsightly Picks]

This is just an example of the kind of pressure, not a direct analagy. Imagine the key is in the lock and there is a small piece of steel protruding from the key the axact length of your tension wrench. The amount of pressure needed to turn the key with the extension is just slightly less than you would optimally like to put on a tension wrench.