can a tension tool be too long

[2122]

i'm trying to pick a cheap $10 brinks deadbolt, but since my picks haven't arrived yet i'm trying to use safety pins. I can set 4 of the 5 pins, but when i push up on the last one it won't move. The safetypin bends before the pin moves. I tried less tension, but any less tension drops all the other pins. Could this be caused by the tension tool touching the back of the lock?

[JackNco]

as no ones answered yet ill have a crack. my tension tool go about 1/2 an inch in to the locks. i always seem 2 get tension from the bottom of the key way (opposite to the pins) if ur grabbing from the top i think this way 2 long, if ur grabbing from the bottom then that seems about right. im using the southord tools if thats any help

John

[d_goldsmith]

If he was grabbing from the top, the wrench wouldn't be able to go past the pins.

The amount of tension you get has to do with the pressure you exert on the wrench and the leverage. So if the arm that you press on is very long, and you push at the bottom of it, you have more leverage and would be more likely to over tension it, which would explain not being able to move a pin. However, if the piece you press on is long, and you push closer to the plug, you have less leverage, so that part can't really be to long as long as it is functional.

The part that goes in the keyway though, I don't think it has much to do with it unless it is blocking the pick or catching on something inside the plug.

[Romstar]

Yes, a tension wrench can be too long.

We want it to fit snugly into the plug, but not go so far in as to reduce th amount of working space that you have.

When you use any type of pick, you want the maximum amount of clearance in the keyway. You are using what ammounts to a lever after all.

The tension too should not extend all the way to the back of the plug.

Romstar