Lock Picking 101 Forum
A community dedicated to the fun and ethical hobby of lock picking.
       

Lock Picking 101 Home
Login
Profile
Members
Forum Rules
Frequent Forum Questions
SEARCH
View New Posts
View Active Topics


Live Chat on Discord
LP101 Forum Chat
Keypicking Forum Chat
Reddit r/lockpicking Chat



Learn How to Pick Locks
FAQs & General Questions
Got Beginner Questions?
Pick-Fu [Intermediate Level]


Ask a Locksmith
This Old Lock
This Old Safe
What Lock Should I Buy?



Hardware
Locks
Lock Patents
Lock Picks
Lock Bumping
Lock Impressioning
Lock Pick Guns, Snappers
European Locks & Picks
The Machine Shop
The Open Source Lock
Handcuffs


Member Spotlight
Member Introductions
Member Lock Collections
Member Social Media


Off Topic
General Chatter
Other Puzzles


Locksmith Business Info
Training & Licensing
Running a Business
Keyways & Key Blanks
Key Machines
Master Keyed Systems
Closers and Crash Bars
Life Safety Compliance
Electronic Locks & Access
Locksmith Supplies
Locksmith Lounge


Buy Sell Trade
Buy - Sell - Trade
It came from Ebay!


Advanced Topics
Membership Information
Special Access Required:
High Security Locks
Vending Locks
Advanced Lock Pick Tools
Bypass Techniques
Safes & Safe Locks
Automotive Entry & Tools
Advanced Buy/Sell/Trade


Locksport Groups
Locksport Local
Chapter President's Office
Locksport Board Room
 

Peterson Tension Tools. Which ones to start with?

Having read the FAQ's you are still unfulfilled and seek more enlightenment, so post your general lock picking questions here.
Forum rules
Do not post safe related questions in this sub forum! Post them in This Old Safe

The sub forum you are currently in is for asking Beginner Hobby Lock Picking questions only.

Peterson Tension Tools. Which ones to start with?

Postby Asron87 » 27 Nov 2012 17:54

Hi everyone, first post here. Sorry if its been asked before and/or if this is the wrong place ....
I've tried many different searches and kind of get mixed signals on Peterson Tension Tools. Everyone seems to love their Peterson Pry Bars so I know I'll end up buying the .050 and the .040 but what about their "Flat 5" and their "Three Serrated Tension Tools"?

Link: http://www.peterson-international.com/tensiontools.html

Are these two kits of tension tools mainly for top of key-way tension?

Should I just go with the Pry Bars and not worry about the others?

Are there any other tension kits I should be aware of?


I bought the mpxs-14 and the Bogota Titan toolset... Now I just want a selection of different tensioners before I start making my own tools.
Thanks.
Image
Asron87
 
Posts: 6
Joined: 25 Nov 2012 2:21

Re: Peterson Tension Tools. Which ones to start with?

Postby Jedilocksmith » 28 Nov 2012 0:43

Are these two kits of tension tools mainly for top of key-way tension?

Should I just go with the Pry Bars and not worry about the others?

Are there any other tension kits I should be aware of?[quote][/quote]

They can be used for both upper and lower tension. They put the serrated edge on there because it helps grip the keyway when using upper tension. I remember the first time I notched my tension wrench and was shocked how much it helped.

Nothing against Peterson, but I wouldnt spend that kind of money on tension wrenches. They are way to easy to make yourself. If you havent came across any posts on homemade tension wrenches, most people seem to use the metal inserts from old windshield wiper blades or the little bristles that fall from street sweepers...some spring steel.
Jedilocksmith
 
Posts: 57
Joined: 2 Oct 2012 11:05
Location: Omaha, Ne.

Re: Peterson Tension Tools. Which ones to start with?

Postby Asron87 » 28 Nov 2012 3:22

I have nothing against making my own tools, I'd just like to buy a couple different types first. I'd like to buy them first and then make them. I'll probably never buy a "set" of anything again for lock picking but I'd like to have something to base my homemade tools off of. I'm good with my hands and have access to plenty of tools, unfortunately I have absolutely no one and nowhere to go to for hands on help with lock picking. I'd like to buy it first so I get the right idea and then I'll go from there. That and Christmas is coming up so I usually spend my money on a hobby before I blow it on something stupid.... so it's either this or ice fishing equipment.. and I have too much ice fishing equipment. (midwest cant help it)
Image
Asron87
 
Posts: 6
Joined: 25 Nov 2012 2:21

Re: Peterson Tension Tools. Which ones to start with?

Postby Jedilocksmith » 28 Nov 2012 10:34

Asron87 wrote:unfortunately I have absolutely no one and nowhere to go to for hands on help with lock picking. (midwest cant help it)


I feel the same way. I had one friend that peeked my interest in lock picking and then moved away. This community on here really fills the void though. There are alot of people on here that know their stuff and like to share their experiences. Im stuck here in Nebraska for the next 5yrs...where are you located?

As you get more into lock picking, you will realize that your choice of tension tools are as important as the pick. But another thing about tension wrenches is that, it also has to do with personal preference. Personally I dont like those flat type of wrenches, but they are great for hiding in your wallet though.
Jedilocksmith
 
Posts: 57
Joined: 2 Oct 2012 11:05
Location: Omaha, Ne.

Re: Peterson Tension Tools. Which ones to start with?

Postby Solomon » 28 Nov 2012 15:22

The flat 5 set is pretty good. I can't say anything about the prybars personally but a lot of people swear by them.

Here's a pic of the flat 5's (ignore the URL, I didn't know the difference between these and prybars when I got them lol). From top to bottom, 1 & 2 are identical apart from thickness, likewise for 3 &4. In each pair, one is rigid-ish and the other is pretty flexy. I don't use the flexible ones so for me it's more like the flat 3 lol, but the flexy ones would probably be better for raking if you don't have a good touch for it. They do come in handy for really narrow keyways at times but you lose some feedback because of the flex.

The bottom one is rigid-ish, same as the stiffer 2 of each pair. Small end comes in handy for locks with small keyways ie. certain padlocks, and can also open some warded padlocks. The larger end I mostly use to aid turning stiff plugs once fully picked, so I don't put too much stress on the wrench that's already in there. It's OK for bottom of keyway tension on standard yale profiles but it does have a tendency to slip if the keyway is well worn.

If we're talking schlage, the mid-size one is better for BOK. Limits your space more than the right sized L wrench would, but it's ok. As for kwikset, same deal but it doesn't limit your space just as much... BUT... I just picked a kwikset with that one, and after it was fully picked I had to tension the top and give the bottom wrench a little jiggle cos it was preventing it from turning further... so be wary of that. Again, standard L wrench doesn't cause that problem for some reason. Neither does TOK, obviously.

One thing to note, I pick a variety of locks, both euro profile and rim... whether the pins are at the top or bottom I find it more comfortable to use BOK. So if you wanna go strictly TOK for rim/mortise, then these will be great. But if you're like me, I'd rather use a standard wrench for those. The short ends are perfect for using BOK on euros though, I never pick them any other way.

Apart from the largest one, I don't really bother with the long ends apart from padlocks with non-removeable weather covers... and that's only if I have to use TOK. Again, in those scenarios I'd rather use a standard wrench and BOK if I can get away with it. I'm a strange man. Anyway, hope this helps... I'd say these will probably cover a wider variety of stuff than the prybars would, but I can't say for a fact. Depends on how much variety you run into though I guess. :mrgreen:
Solomon
 
Posts: 1012
Joined: 9 Jan 2009 14:51
Location: Northern Ireland

Re: Peterson Tension Tools. Which ones to start with?

Postby Asron87 » 28 Nov 2012 19:03

...where are you located?


I'm from North Dakota and probably won't be able to leave for a while. I really do hate it here but at least I found a hobby I can do year round.

Solomon your post really helped. I'll probably go with the pry bars and the set of three serrated, then wait for a lil more money to build up and buy the flat 5 if I feel like going all out... that is unless if someone highly recommends them, then I'll order them right away. I don't have a problem spending money on hobbies I care a lot about.
Image
Asron87
 
Posts: 6
Joined: 25 Nov 2012 2:21


Return to Got Questions? - Ask Beginner Hobby Lockpicking Questions Here

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 12 guests

cron