Tension

[TheSnakey]

I cant seem to get the right amount of force on a lock. I will always have too much tension and the pins will stay up above sight and not come back down or im too soft and it wont pick. i can pick the lock every now and then but its hit and miss. Any tips on getting the right tension. I'm using some zenith padlocks atm

[Afisch]

Padlocks are slightly harder tension wise as the spring tension will counteract the force you can apply. You really need to adjust tension to deal with security pins. To give a little very rough guide the weight of two keys on the end of the tension wrench may be apropriate. Good luck.

[Raymond]

Padlocks are almost always more difficult to pick because of this turning force problem. The spring that pushes the bolt out into the shackle also returns the plug to the normal locked position and continues to apply this turning force on the plug in the locked direction. In picking you must balance your turning force so as to offset the return spring force and just enough more that you can feel and set the pins. More force will simply make the pins harder to move but is acceptable if you can feel them set and you do not overlift.

[Eyes_Only]

I remember someone here once mentioned before that you should apply the same amount of pressure on the tensioner as you would when you press a key on your keyboard when typing.

Dunno if anyone else has seen it but in the video that comes in the Lockout Specialist course sold on locksmith.biz the guy on film glued a half dollar coin to the end of the tension wrench to illustrate how much tension is really neccessary to pick most locks.

[TheSnakey]

i didnt have enough tension and the pin just pushed up above the shear line got it now 5 seconds every time