Mutterings from a mouse

[mouse]

Today I spent an hour picking a lock.
When i eventually picked it I suddenly realised why it took me so long.



I had pushed my tension bar too far in, it was jammed against the bottom of the lock.
It was just pure luck i managed to open it.

A major re design was needed.
Tensioner v2



My new dual prong adjustable tensioner will not jam and might also be used on wafer & tubular locks.

[illusion]

wooaahh!!

is the tension wrench designed to bend like that in the first pick??
cos that looks under a lot of strain

although the second one looks good...

[Pickermeapie]

wooaahh!!

is the tension wrench designed to bend like that in the first pick??

I agree

[mouse]

wooaahh!!

is the tension wrench designed to bend like that in the first pick??
cos that looks under a lot of strain

although the second one looks good...

Nope the the tensioner should be straight (lock picked but tensioner jammed)

All my locks have slightly different keyways. My old tensioner would work with some but not all. Now the problem is sorted out with v2

[illusion]

Now the problem is sorted out with v2

ohhh... upgrades

the second prong appears to to be secured because you've twisted it around the tang of the tension wrench - I though about trying something similar, is it fairly strong?

correct me if i'm wrong

[WhiteHat]

That looks like quite a nice attempt at copying a falle tensioner. .did you think up that concept yourself or did you take inspiration from falle?

[mouse]

Yes the second prong is just twisted around the tang. (my hands are still numb from twisting it with pliers. I'm going to need to buy a vice.)

Everything seems strong enough, nothing has broken or bent even with my heavy handed use. If the hooks do break off it will be due to me filing them too thin.

All the wiper blades I have found, use two 3mm strips. This is the only useful thing I have made from them.

I have seen several fixed 2 prong tensioners but I doubt I have invented anything new.

Already thinking of modifications for v3.

[mouse]

(I wish there was an EDIT button )



At the moment the tensioner is straight and leans over to the right. (I can hold a lock in my left hand and put tension on using my index finger)

Might try having it leaning left and with a horizontal dandle. (To avoid door handles/frames)

[NKT]

I was having that trouble to begin with. I spent ages trying to pop one lock, got a few pins set, then it jammed, and I played for ages before I twigged.

[mouse]

I don't have access to any large grinders so this is my way of making picks with a dremel.

1. Junior hacksaw blade


2. I mark out my design with a permanent marker and trim to size.


3. I use the cutting wheel to lightly outline the shape with dots.


4. I cut out the rough shape with the cutting wheel, cooling the blade with water.


5. I use the grinding wheel to smooth out the shape & remove the teeth (keeping it cool).


6. Time for some filing with needle files to get the final shape.


7. I use 2 grades of wet&dry to clean the surface.


8. I add some heat shrink to create a hand grip to finish off the pick.


I have never been any good at metalwork but I can make a pick in an hour.

I have noticed some rust appearing on some picks. Might try spraying the picks with clear lacquer.

[Auto45]

@mouse
That is the best looking home made pick I have seen so far. I make them but yours look better then the store but ones.
auto

[Chrispy]

Very nice. Seriously, well done.

[Wade]

That pick looks great!! congrats

[Heliox]

I don't know why I never thought about heat shrink for handles. That's cool.

I wonder though... How do you keep the area under the heat shrink from rusting?

[digital_blue]

I sometimes wrap some teflon tape around the handle first, then use the heat shrink tubing. I didn't come up with that idea. It was a member here who posted this a long time ago. Darned if I can remember who, but it may have actually been PYRO1234321.

Great work tho mouse!

db