Vise Alternative?

[nwkegan]

Hello.

I'm looking for an alternative to a vise to keep my cylinder in place while practicing picking. I'd imagine that holding it with your hand is not particularly conducive to learning.

Thanks!

[Raymond]

You could take a board of whatever size suits you. 3/4 inch thick should be adequate. Drill a hole through which the cylinder just fits. From the hole cut a slot to the edge. The slot should go with the grain. Insert a long screw perpendicular to the slot that crosses the slot. Tightening the screw will squeeze the wood together binding the cylinder in place.

[nwkegan]

It seems like the materials required to manufacture a frame like that would cost just as much as the vise. Would a cheap vise grip taped securely to a table with duct tape function alright? I'm just trying to avoid dropping yet another load of cash on this JUST to get started. However, I would also like to learn RIGHT, so if it's necessary I suppose I might as well. Thanks for the suggestion, though. : )

[LocksmithArmy]

If you are just getting started what is wrong with using your hands...
I pick in my hand still... mostly because I dont wanna tote a vice around everywhere... I carry most of my tools on me just incase I wanna make a pick at work... but you dont need a vice to practice picking when you are beginning... you need a vice or some other stand when you are wanting to learn to pick locks in doors and whatnot...

There are 3 doors at work that that never close so I test new picks with them... I got permission yes...

but that lets me know the picks work in confined areas... then I pick all the locks I have in my hand and that tells me the capabilities of the lock...

dispite all the rambeling, im just saying when learning there is no need for vise... so you can save for one later..

[nwkegan]

I was just under the impression that it would be difficult to apply the concepts learned while holding the lock to those locks held in place, such as on a door. Is this not the case?

[FarmerFreak]

It depends on the lock. A padlock for example is just fine in your hands, and technically that would be the "right" way. The problem with some lock cylinders (primarily key in knob cylinders) is that they are a little trickier to hold in your hands while picking them.

If I have the option to put a lock in a vice I prefer to do so. But that has more to do with the fact that it makes picking easier. Yet picking locks on doors can be harder than in a vice. This is because of the angle and height of the lock. Yes you can try to set it up in a vice this way, but then you may also need to set up a vice next to a wall to mimic the door jam/frame. For learning how to pick you really don't need, or want the problems associated with trying to pick a lock as if it were mounted on a door.

[NanoDuke]

I just picked up a hobby bench vice from the local hardware store for AU$30. It clamps onto the bench with a small G-clamp, and it has a rotating table for the actual vice.

[Rickthepick]

holding the lock whilst picking is bad practice if your going to apply your skills on the job. Picking a lock in a door is completely different feel. especially when your picking your euros downwards rather than upwards as you can in your hands.

i use a black and decker workmate, it also doubles up as a nice table and all folds away neatly into the cupboard

[Solomon]

holding the lock whilst picking is bad practice if your going to apply your skills on the job. Picking a lock in a door is completely different feel. especially when your picking your euros downwards rather than upwards as you can in your hands.

i use a black and decker workmate, it also doubles up as a nice table and all folds away neatly into the cupboard

I agree with this... I find that when picking in my hand it moves around a lot when putting pressure on the pins so it's not really the best way. That being said, whether I'm picking in a vise or in my hand, I always have them the way they're designed to be mounted. As for static picking, I use a swivel vise with a G-clamp, which I keep at the edge of my desk. It's handy since it can be angled whatever way I want... so I can pick from the comfort of my big old chair.

[Eyes_Only]

DX has a couple of low priced vises if you change your mind. I use a panavise at home but might buy another from DX that I can take with me where ever I go and not have to worry about losing a cheap vise from china.

[magician59]

Some time ago I bought a nifty vise alternative at a regional locksmith get-together. It's called a "Meyer Plier". Basically, it's an 8"Vise-Grip pliers with a C clamp welded to the main body. With it, you can clamp it to almost any table top and the plier serves to hold small things, as large as a mortise cylinder. It's no longer made, but there are similar products available from quite a few suppliers.

[nwkegan]

Alright, thanks for all the replies! Here are my options, it seems:

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=p ... lpage=none

This is local, so I could go pick it up tomorrow myself with no wait period. If you guys think it would work alright, I'll probably go with that (for now, obviously.)

OR...

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.23769

Also cheapo, but would get the job done if the other one couldn't. Free shipping, too, and it probably wouldn't take too long to arrive.

Anyway, what do you guys think?

[NanoDuke]

This is a better option
http://www.dse.com.au/cgi-bin/dse.store ... View/T4742

Something like that. The first thing you linked to is just a G-clamp, it won't hold it properly for you to work with.
And the second option will clamp the lock in the wrong direction. You need something that can rotate.

Another option:
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Mini-Clamp-On-Be ... 3ca63e4946


Just search on eBay for hobby vice, jeweller's vice, multi angle vice, or something along those lines.

[nwkegan]

This is a better option
http://www.dse.com.au/cgi-bin/dse.store ... View/T4742

Something like that. The first thing you linked to is just a G-clamp, it won't hold it properly for you to work with.
And the second option will clamp the lock in the wrong direction. You need something that can rotate.

Another option:
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Mini-Clamp-On-Be ... 3ca63e4946


Just search on eBay for hobby vice, jeweller's vice, multi angle vice, or something along those lines.

It LOOKED, to me, as though the first clamp had two independent devices. I can see what you mean, though.

The second I was positive I could jimmy against something vertical instead of horizontal so as to work with the lock at the proper angle.

I'll check eBay and such, though. Thanks!

[NanoDuke]

Oh I just realised that Vise is the american spelling, and here we spell it Vice.

Use both names when searching.


I just searched Lowes for you again, and found this
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=p ... lpage=none

$22. It'll probably be cheaper than buying off eBay, and having to pay for heavy shipping.