UK tension tools.

[felix88]

Hi ive just started locking picking and do not kno wnaything about it. Ive read the relevant posts and have a good idea of what to buy for the UK locks. Ive narrowed it down to offset diamond, hollow half diamond, straight shank half diamond, short hook, offset half ball and wave jiggler. All these are euro slimline version. I wanted to know if there are specific tension tools for UK locks aswell. Ive seen these on Southern lockpicks and i couldnt find any euro tension tool.

Plus are there any other lockpicks im missing?

thanks for your comments in advance

[tuscarora]

To be honest as far as picks go I'd highly recommend making your own. There's plenty of stuff on this site, but a Dremel with a grinding wheel, cutting disc and sandpaper disc will get you started. Some hacksaw blades for material, a bit of heatshrink for handles. Check out Pyro's video [http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-9094641035220699727&q=lock+picking&hl=en] - the advantage of making yer own is that they're cheaper and are, of course, the exact shape and size you want them! Someone else on here would be able to help you out with what set to buy.

If you're just starting a half diamond, hook and a rake (check out raimundo's Bogotas) should get you going.

If you're not into making stuff yourself I'm afraid my advice for tension wrenches won't be much good. A wiper blade insert, doesn't need to be filed, just heated up and bent round will do the trick for a tension wrench. Junior hacksaw blade is also a good stock, but you'll need to reduce the width for anything but the most coarse of locks. Again, this site has much info on how to work the metal. Your basic tools are a blowtorch (a standard lighter will do in a pinch, a jet lighter is better) and two pairs of pliers.

Don't forget when you're working the metal (especially for picks), when it gets hot quench it in water or oil so that you don't ruin the temper and make it brittle.

[cppdungeon]

Don't forget to sand your tools down to a mirror polish! This filters out unwanted feedback from ridges and bumps on the pick, and makes it easier to move around in the lock. I highly recommend making your own tools. I also recommend that you finish a basic set- a hook, diamond, and a bogota, then think about how you want your next ones to be before you make them. I learned this the hard way when i made a ton of picks, and half were useless because i wasnt thinking hard enough

also, since you have euro locks over in Europe, YOU can specialize your tools for euro locks.

good luck!

--Cpp

[datagram]

There are no specific tension tools for euro locks, just buy standard ones.

dg

[Rami]

Thanks DG for the information. I've been actually looking if the tensioners here are the same or different size than the us.

[Dean W]

as covered. Easy to make if you can be bothered. NELS do a good low priced set