Debate between top and bottom tensioning

[Baloopaloop]

Hey peoples, I've heard alot about top tensioning with medecos and things like that, but what exactly is the difference in? Different feedback? If you feel either of the two is better, please post and explain why. I'm making some wrenches and I'm trying to decide if I want to make one

[lock2006]

Tensioning comes down to just a few factors, personal preference Personally sometimes i use top tension on some locks, when you have to target a specific security pin, i used it on some american locks like 5200 or the 748 series,also i used it on Schlage everst lock and it's work perfectly
i can open the american 5200 with bottom tension,i am trying to post some videos picking this american 5200 series
but like i said it come down to personal preference
hope this helps.

[quickpicks]

I usually bottom tension medecos, but it depends on your wrench as well. Try making a wrench that best suits your keyway profile so it does not give you poor feedback in the pins.

[FarmerFreak]

Top tension is typically the way to go.

Having a tension wrench in the bottom can drag on the cylinder housing. Which can diminish feel, and make it slightly harder to turn the lock.
Also, and this is going to sound weird, when you are screwing in a flat head screw. Do you use the screwdriver on the side, or in the center,...and why? Probably the center and because it is easier to turn the screw from the center. Well the top of a typical keyway would be like the center of the screw.

Now you have me curious. I can't wait to see other peoples opinions on top or bottom tension.

[Baloopaloop]

yeah that does make some sense. Also everyone, if you have a special wrench that you use for either type of tensioning put a picture up please so I can decide how to shape mine

[Solomon]

Personally, I prefer to keep it as close to the center of the keyway as possible. To me, the plug is to the tensioner as a wheel to an axle. Granted, this isn't always appropriate because it limits the amount of movement you have with the pick, but for most locks I've encountered it works like a charm. I find that applying minimal tension when the wrench is right at the bottom/top makes it awkward to set pins efficiently. For example:



(N.B. all images are for clockwise rotation.)

1. I find awkward to set pins with, and it's hard to maintain uniform tension.
2. is better, but can restrict the keyway a bit too much for some locks. Most keyways are forgiving of this kind of placement.
3 & 4. are basically the same, it just depends on the side of the door the lock is mounted on. These offer nice, uniform tension, and give you plenty of room to work with.

That's my experience, anyway.

[FarmerFreak]

I forgot for a moment when I posted earlier that not all cylinders have the pins at the top. In Solomon's pictures, 1 and 2 are not good as he said. 3 and 4 are ok. But if it were me I would be putting the tension wrench in front of the first pin. He doesn't have a picture of that though. And for that keyway it would have to be a smaller wrench.

I would only use 3 or 4 if I couldn't put it in front of the first pin. Usually due to lack of pick mobility. Which is rarely a problem, but does happen from time to time.

[Solomon]

I forgot for a moment when I posted earlier that not all cylinders have the pins at the top. In Solomon's pictures, 1 and 2 are not good as he said. 3 and 4 are ok. But if it were me I would be putting the tension wrench in front of the first pin. He doesn't have a picture of that though.

There ya go.

And for that keyway it would have to be a smaller wrench.

Really? I guess this is all a matter of personal taste, but I can pick most locks with the tension in 3 & 4 using an even wider tensioner than the one picured, with no problems. As a matter of fact, I sometimes find it easier that way because thinner heads have a tendency to slip when the plug clicks as it rotates. For some locks, anyway. All depends on the keyway, really. The only widths of head I've ever had to use are the 2 which come with a southord set (left and right) and a wiper blade insert (middle):



The insert is only a tiny bit bigger than the thin southord one, but that little bit can make a big difference and it's nice to have something in between those sizes.

[cryptocat]

Hey peoples, I've heard alot about top tensioning with medecos and things like that, but what exactly is the difference in? Different feedback?

Sometimes top tension feels different, but I could be deluding myself. Usually I apply tension wherever the wrench fits in such a manner as to not interfere with my tool. Maybe I go high, maybe I go low, maybe I use the tweezer-like wrench...

Go ahead and make a few different sizes of wrench to cope with various keyways.

[Baloopaloop]

Well I do have something in mind right now, awol's wierd flex top tension wrench. I'll have to make a couple like it and figure out a good way to make them cause they look like they'd be comfortable to use and give you a fair bit of control of false sets.

[apb]

Top tension no doubt. Here are my reasons:

1) More room to work with the pick in the key way to avoid setting or unsetting pins. Also more room to focus on individual security pins that have been falsely set.

2) The plug gains more of an equal centrifigal force which equallly distributes rotation around the edges of the plug. It acts more like the axel for a wheel than tugging on a specific side. This seems to be effective in setting pins at the shear line with less tension.

3)it can eliminate a tension wrench that puts a brake on the plug.

My personal experience has been that if I can pick a lock using top tension, I MIGHT be able to pick the same lock using bottom tension. However, If I can pick it using bottom tension, I have always been able to pick the same lock with top tension. Hope that make some sort of sense.

Locks such those mentioned such as the American 5200 are perfect for top tension, as well as some other locks that contain security pins such as Brinks and Schlage. If using top tension seems strange , I would encourage you to give it some considerable practice before giving up on it.

[Baloopaloop]

Got some sweet new metal today It's the bands that go around 2 by 4's at the lumber yard. It's very strong but bendable. I made some really awesome flex wrenches and I'm going to shorten the tip so I can use them easier in the top of the keyway. Very nice stuff, I like it alot, I also tried to make a pick or two with this stuff but it's too solid and broad. I can't fit it in the keyway of my padlocks But it really makes nice wrenches

[greyman]

This is a good question/topic. I think there's always pros and cons. In some cylinder locks the plug tends to bind if you tension the base of the keyway (ie furthest from the pins). In these cases I'd try tensioning from the top, but of course, the tensioner can get in the way of the pick. Tensioning from the centre would be nice, but it can also get in the way of picking. Sometimes, a 2-sided tensioning tool is better.

[raimundo]

top tension is close to the center of the plug, the axis on which the plug turns, it cannot become grounded between two parts like the cylinder and the plug. However, a tensor for top tensioning can easily be knocked out while picking especially when doing light and variable tension.
I use bottom tension with tensor blades that do not have a sharp edge to dig into the cylinder wall, and if that proves difficult, top tension and a hook are the next step.