I Need Your Input About The IDEAL Torsion (Tension) Tool.

[danreller]

I just recently posed the following to a thread about the importance of "tension", torque, torsion" tools. Although "tension" is the currently favored description, I think it is "Way Off". Check the definitions and your Physics texts. OK, I'm going way back in time. I graduated from college in 1978 and I haven't researched it, but, "tension" I think is a "Pulling" foce. I think "torsion" is a twisting force which would most describe the action to "twist the plug during picking a lock" to compromise a lock. I think "torque" implies the amount of Force applied to a twisting force. If I'm wrong, OK, I want to be updated, but, I don't want to get off track to my question.

Whatever, I just posted the following posit to another thread:

Hi Chucklz,

You're right. The torsion tool is just as important, if not more than the pick. I'm in the process of making my own picks and although haven't completed what I want am eyeing towards the torsion force. I'll keep in touch. South Carolina has an ice storm right now. Haven't had the opportunity to do much lately, but, have completed two picks out of .010 sping steel. One ( maybe two) more picks to go and I will turn my attention to torsion tools which I think will be more challenging. In fact, I think I will start a new topic about torsion tools.

Sincerely,

Dan

'
Alright, to my Real question. If you wanted to make the ideal Torsion, Torque or Tension Tool, what material would you use?

Spring steel snaps when bent 90 degrees.
Stainless will loose a lot of it's strength when bent that much.
Hacksaw blades, sping steel, sreet cleaner tines, bicycle wheel spokes, feeler gauges, rake tines, pen clips... I think I've heard most of the currently suggested. How about the sophisticated means of torsion? The circular dials, the multi-looped spings and the ... I can't remember what the other one was right now ... ? Again, .. the Best Tension, Torque, Torsion Tool ... What is it?

I've learned something in my own field, and that is to listen to new suggeations and especially to the experienced. I have especially learned from the "old folks" and their ways. What do you "seasoned folks" use?

I welcome your input.

[CitySpider]

Hey Dan,

Great thread.

Tension wrench vs torsion wrench vs "turning tool" is apparently a long-running debate. I imagine that turning tool is probably the most correct. Personally I don't care. I just call it a wrench. Laziness, really, I don't feel like typing out "turning tool" every time, and "tool" is far too ambiguous.

The one thing that I don't see on your list is windshield wiper blades. I've found them to be more effective (even bent cold) than anything else I've tried (hacksaw blades, rake tines, bicycle wheel spokes, and pen clips).

The good thing about pen clips is you just bend it while it's on the pen, pop it off, and right there you have a wrench. It's mostly an improvised thing, but they're good enough that I use them on occasion just when practicing.

Spring steel snaps when bent 90 degrees? I imagine it depends on the steel. Stainless will lose a lot of its strength? Not really an issue. Strength isn't what you're looking for.

On the other torsion tools:

I have no use for circular dials. I have even less than no use for the super-light tension multi-looped things. I have no use for wishbone wrenches, no use for two-pronged wrenches. I also have no use for twist-flex wrenches, despite the high esteem in which they're held here. I don't even like long handled wrenches, though I'll use one on occasion.

My favorite commercial wrench is an HPC TR-4. If I had more than one, though, I'd take the non twisted end and shorten it by about half. I think I'd like that more; I just don't want to risk messing up this wrench. Different locks call for different wrenches, but I haven't found one that I could open with another wrench and not with this one (except for a tulip knob).

Rogan comes with an interesting Z wrench. Wish I had a camera. Halfway down the wrench, the wrench slops off, becoming less wide (not thick). It's a good design.

Hope I offered some food for thought. Any more questions, please ask, and be sure to let us all know how your experiments turn out.

[Chucklz]

As you are using the tool to apply a Torque to the lock plug, turning or torque tool probably would be most correct For those physics buffs, Torque is the cross product of Force and radius.

Peterson makes a wonderful spring steel strip that does not snap when bent (and the tool they provide to do the bending is wonderful). The strips come in a wide variety of widths. Some I've found to be too wide for my preference, so a touch on the grinder takes care of that.

[marso]

I was about to come back with some smart ass, because MIT or Crypto or something calls it bleh. But i can't they all call it Torque Tools. I stand corrected and will use this for now on. I think a site where blind is leading the blind these sorts of technicalities get over looked.

On the point about only using the one tool. I hope to get to a stage (in a few months/years) where I can look at a lock and say, I need a pronged or feather wrench. I sadly can only do basic locks atm so this will have to wait. I have once found a lock that requires wishbones. Either way I believe they all have a place in my tool box, and I hope one day I get a chance to use them all. Little being said about the half circle picks JK dont want to start another debate.

[Chucklz]

I have the feather touch, and have never found it especially helpful. It was nice in one or two cases, but probably unnecessary, especially for the amount of money they want for it.

[Varjeal]

I've always called it a a tension wrench because that's how I was taught. I guess in the overall scheme of things it really doesn't matter as long as everyone knows what you're talking about when you say that.

Regarding materials, that I wouldn't have an opinion on, except to say that I prefer my tension wrenches (hehehehe) to be more rigid/firm and not so "springy" So therefore, materials such as stainless, etc. would be acceptable to me as long as they could bend an inch or two without "kinking" or breaking.

I have yet to have had opportunity to use a circular tension tool ( ) but would like to.

If you plan on making your own, and the materials are cheap, I would suggest to make a variety out of several types, then practice with each to see which works best for you. (practice on the same 2 or 3 locks so you can compare).

[Chucklz]

Varjeal, I bet you can make an improv circular tension tool out of some stiff wire, and a film canister. Just cut it about 3/4 of the way down, cut out a but of a circle in the bottom and glue the wires the way you would like.