7 pin tubular picks redundant?

[payforaday]

According to this guide, there is no use having a 7 pin tubular pick considering you can just use the 8 pin variation and not use one of the pins. Is this true?

"the 7-pin tubular lock pick is identical to the 8-pin pick minus one metal shim to push the eighth pin, and therefore redundant and useless if you have an 8-pin pick (since you can just not use the eighth pin if you’re picking a 7-pin lock)."

http://www.lockpicking101.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1423

[payforaday]

Sorry, I meant this guide: http://www.lockpickguide.com/vendingmachinelockpick.html

[Brother Paul]

Im so glad you asked this question i was wondering the same after reading the same guide but was kinda afraid of getting flamed/trolled/bashed for asking lol im looking forward to reading the answer

[Rickthepick]

surely the spacing is different?

[Rickthepick]

To be honest its something iv never owned and have never needed as tubular locks now come with all kinds of differing centers and warding and the basic ones are pretty old hat, you may find on the odd bicycle lock or ancient vending machine.

[raimundo]

the seven pin tumbler tubular key lock is a based on a circle divided into eight equal parts,
the stem pickup for the boltworks, is the center of the 8th division,

However, there are two 7 pin variants where this is not true, that is the offset left and offset right versions, special picks are sold for each of these variants, but you would only be wasting your money buying the offset picks if you have an eight pin pick, the stem pickup for the eight pin pick will open the offset varients.

an eight pin tubular pick will open both the offset 7pin right and left versions. you will still need the seven pin tool to open the common seven pin centered version, and you would need the undersize and the oversized versions of these if you really want to cover the whole bunch of them. dont forget that the diameters do change on some of these so don't go forcing a tool onto a stem that is too big for it.

[loki-aka]

One fairly "common" tubular lock variant is small bore 7 pin. It closely resembles the standard 7 pin, except the center post is 7,55mm dia rather than 7,8mm.

Several Asian locksmith tool suppliers offer the Klom branded tool for this configuration for under $50.00 US.

The only question is, can a working lockie do a couple of lockouts to cover the cost in short time ? Maybe in
certain towns. I don't know if I wan't to draw attention to certain locks without mods approval.

The other variants I have seen are the 10 pin and the Octagon center versions. And... the small-bore 6 pin.

[raimundo]

Ive seen those variants too. there does not seem to be a commercially offered tool for them since the lockmasters tool is no longer available. the 1500 dollar variation seemed to have the tubular locks completely covered.

No one has ever done a show and tell on this tool on this site, I would love to see detailed photos of the tool and its various barrels, diameter chokes, and etc. all presented in that wooden box.

[sparkster]

Just to add to this, the southord 8 pin tubular lock will open a standard 7 pin lock, you must first modify the 8 pin pick by removing the roll pin inside the tube, doing so can damage the pick body if your not to careful, so remove the roll pin and if you slide one of the feelers back (leaving 7 in place) you will open the standard 7 pin tubular lock.