Fitted Tension Wrenches

[Exodus5000]

I was browsing around www.lockpicks.com when I found they added a new type of tension wrench, the "Schlage SC1 Tension Wrench:" http://www.lockpicks.com/index.asp?Page ... ProdID=546

Basically this looks like a key blank with everything ground away accept the very bottom of the blade, and then a tension wrench handle has been attatched for leverage. I wonder how this type of wrench would differ in feedback from standard "L" wrenches? My suspicion is that a key-blank wrench might produce more defined feedback.

I imagine a few of these wrenches can be made to fit various other keyways, for example a set might consist of SC1, KW1, AR1, and WR3 key blanks. That would take care of probably 90% of the locks in my area.

It might bea nice addition to your L wrenches, I'm going to grind out a few and test them. I'll let you guys know how it works out.

[Shrub]

I think thts what the wrenches that go with the fiber picks are as well, i thought it was a good idea as well, even tension and non slip.

[Omikron]

I was browsing around www.lockpicks.com when I found they added a new type of tension wrench, the "Schlage SC1 Tension Wrench:" http://www.lockpicks.com/index.asp?Page ... ProdID=546

Basically this looks like a key blank with everything ground away accept the very bottom of the blade, and then a tension wrench handle has been attatched for leverage. I wonder how this type of wrench would differ in feedback from standard "L" wrenches? My suspicion is that a key-blank wrench might produce more defined feedback.

I imagine a few of these wrenches can be made to fit various other keyways, for example a set might consist of SC1, KW1, AR1, and WR3 key blanks. That would take care of probably 90% of the locks in my area.

It might bea nice addition to your L wrenches, I'm going to grind out a few and test them. I'll let you guys know how it works out.

While the idea of a fitted tension wrench is certainly nice, if you're going to carry around extra wrenches for each keyway you might as well just carry around some bumpkeys and skip picking alltogether...

It just seems somewhat over-the-top, that's all.

[illusion]

i dunno... a yale type one will do a fair few locks over in england...

so it's kind of like the Schlage Everest tension wrench idea then?

[Omikron]

i dunno... a yale type one will do a fair few locks over in england...

so it's kind of like the Schlage Everest tension wrench idea then?

Yep, exactly the same. While the idea is fantastic for locks that have standard or semi-standard sidebars, it just doesn't seem as useful for normal residential keyways. Maybe I'm wrong on this? Has anyone found these to be worth carrying around?

[Shrub]

I cant say if your wrong or not as i dont have any but i find the idea so interesting and i think useful that as Exodus, im going to make some and try them out.

A yale A1 would be great as it fits in a lot of locks like illusion said.

[Exodus5000]

I think if you're going to do openings for business, I would not use bumping as a first means of entry because of the damage that can occur to the lock, but that's just me. I think the question comes down to if these wrenches are any better than standard wrenches. If they are, it might be nice to have a few around. I'm probably going to make a few anyways just because I enjoy having a variety of tools around .

[Shrub]

Ive tried bumping on a job once and it didnt work and made me look a fool (in my eyes) so i dont do it.

[illusion]

i'm going to give the fitted tension wrench a go as well and see how it works...

seems like a good idea

[Shrub]

Just to throw soe ideas arond.....

I thought about cutting the bow down then cutting a slot on the edge to hold a normal wrench shape wiper insert, i would then silver solder it in.

Any elaborations or better ideas?

[illusion]

okay so I had some similar prepared for something else but I'll use them for this instead. Note it is not finished yet but may give some ideas to others.
The key by itself
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b25/jangofett511/DSCF0148.jpg

the key in lock:
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b25/jangofett511/DSCF0149.jpg

now if you start from an old key there is less to remove so that's what I did lol.

now I was planning on cutting the bow so it left at thee same height as the rest of the key. then I was going to drill a hole into the bow to make a new hole (since I will remove the original hole) then insert a stanard tension wrench or a piece of thin metal - like Matt Blaze does with the Schlage Everest tension wrench.

silver soldering a part onto it would be the best bet, but I don't have the materials to do this.

I'll finish it tomorrow and tell you all how it goes.. oh yeah and I'll get some photos as well..

[Shrub]

You do need to cut the bow at the same height to get the pic in though and i suspect it will have to be a bit lower or use a shorter pick but good start.

I can see what you were doing with that key first

[illusion]

I was going to cut it to the same height so a pick would go in well...

yeah I had started making it as something else well spotted

I reckon it will work

[Exodus5000]

I was just making up one of these too, I've got an SC1 blank all ground down. I was just now faced with the problem of how to attach the tension wrench to the blank and thought i'd check here to see if anyone else had any ideas.

I like the idea of silver soldering it in. I think that may be what I end up trying, however I believe the position of how the wrench is fixed onto the key blank is necessary for proper tension control. If you were to attach the metal stip perpendicular to the blank right in the middle of the bow you would have to apply a lot of pressure to get the proper amount of tension.

Because of this, I think that's why the designers for the tool created an "L" to the wrench (see picture at link above.) I think the best position can be created if you line the short part of the L flush against the key bow so that the longer part of the L extends perpendicular over the top of the keyblank. Then just solder that baby into place, can you guys visualize that? Sorry I dont have a picture to better illustrate what I'm saying. What do you guys think?

[illusion]

I like the idea Exodus...

a standard tension wrench soldered onto the keys you apply tension much the same way as usual - except that you're using a modified key... might use superglue just for the sake of trying - it doesn't have to last long so I may give it a go.

silver solder would be best of course