Which tools for Australia?

by **zehcrec** » 11 Nov 2006 2:35

Hey,
Sorry if I've managed to miss this info somewhere else, but what kind of picks should I get for use on Australian locks, the normal (American I presume) ones or slim line European/Japanese?

by **stilte** » 11 Nov 2006 10:29

The normal ones work fine for me, but i do have a slimline hook and triangle just as a back up.

by **Raccoon** » 11 Nov 2006 17:55

You should get a set of australian lockpicks.

(ok, you're probably not familiar with the joke. australian lockpicks are bolt cutters. :lol:

)

It all depends on the keyway. What profiles do you usually encounter? Are they narrow or paracentric? In any event, you'll want a cheap standard set to play with no matter what locks you have installed.

Start with some inexpensive picks from Southern Specialties (www.lockpicktools.com) and work your way up to a nice collection of Peterson picks (www.peterson-international.com).

by **Mutzy** » 12 Nov 2006 0:07

Ouch.

As a member of a respected locksmith company, I take offence to that... (I hope it's an in joke...)

Bolt cutters are used by the dodge one-man-bands out there. :roll:

The three most common ones I have come against are the lockwood C4 (Almost dentical to the kwickset profile) the gainsborough profile and the lanes '66X' profile.

I'd rather have to open & rekey lockwood profile locks - lots of freedom in the keyway, and are easily rekeyed.

by **Romstar** » 12 Nov 2006 0:12

The last time I was in Australia I had to go through customs of course, and they had the standard questions about why I was there, and how long I would be and so forth.

However, when they asked me if I had a criminal record I just stopped for a moment.

The nice gentleman looked at me while I blinked, and then asked again "Do you have a criminal record sir?"

I gave me head a shake, looked right at him and replied, "I wasn't aware you still needed one".

All he did was sigh, and said, "Welcome to Australia".

Romstar

by **Raccoon** » 12 Nov 2006 7:23

by **Fah_Cue** » 12 Nov 2006 7:30

Hey!@! you do know there are still some aussies on!

oo and i use slimlines, they do wonders

by **stilte** » 12 Nov 2006 15:24

LOL!

I found this a few days ago. Australian locksmith:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNqHCsUO3tc

by **Romstar** » 12 Nov 2006 15:26

Fah_Cue wrote:Hey!@! you do know there are still some aussies on!

oo and i use slimlines, they do wonders

Yep, I know you guys are out there. :wink:

As for the picks, I always carry both.

If the lock will allow it, I always use standard size picks. The slimlines, while they are very good are more prone to bending, or breaking. While I have yet to break a pick, my HPC DeForest picks like to bend.

I think that is why I make so many of my own picks. I can find a good solution to the size problem, and not worry so much about damage.

Although, if you have to choose one or the other, go with the slimlines and learn to be gentle with them. Your picking will improve as a result.

Romstar

by **starfishblue** » 13 Nov 2006 10:21

Re Zehcrec:
I'm from Melbourne too! :lol:

um.. i'm a n00b at lockpickin' but i bought myself the slimline southord set a few weeks ago.. i've got exams now so no time to buy a lock and practice. but i do believe it fits well.. but if u've got the dosh, might as well get both :p

by **lockjaw** » 14 Nov 2006 19:45

zehcrec wrote:what kind of picks should I get for use on Australian locks, the normal (American I presume) ones or slim line European/Japanese?

Get the slim line/euro variety if you have to make a choice. The regular (North American) variety are ok for most Australian door cylinders (eg. Lockwood 201 and its many copies) but they are too thick for some of the Lockwood padlocks.

The Peterson picks are very good for Australia/NZ cylinders also but they are much more expensive (and durable) than the South Ord picks.

For starters though the South Ord Slimline/Euro set will serve you well. If you can afford one of the larger sets (with duplicates) then get that. As a beginner you are likely to bend your picks (until you learn to develop a light touch), if you are particularly heavy handed you may even break the slender stemmed picks. For this reason it is good to have duplicates of your most used picks. Having duplicates also permits some customisation. I haven't had to modify any picks for Australian key ways but I have modified tension wrenches: I've filed down one side of a tension wrench so it doesn't needlessly obstruct the keyway.

I hasten to add that I'm yet to break or even bend a pick

by **Sl0th** » 15 Nov 2006 5:09

While you guys are on the topic of all things Aussie

... what are people's opinions on the skill level required to pick/shim Lockwood padlocks? Is it possible for a beginner? Are they considered high security and/or do they have pins such as mushrooms etc.

Cheers

by **Fah_Cue** » 15 Nov 2006 5:16

depends what lockwood you are talking about

by **stilte** » 15 Nov 2006 11:43

Doesn't take much skill to shim a padlock. Most of them have tight tolerances though.

by **JackNco** » 15 Nov 2006 19:56

Buy some individual picks get a diamond, half diamond, a snake a w rake and a hook of each.

Personally i use southord but i haven't used any others so i don't know if they are good or bad, ive had great success with them.

John

Which tools for Australia?

Which tools for Australia?

Re: Which tools for Australia?

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