Broken Key Extractor.

[Traveller]

Hi All.

I am new to all this and have decided to buy a SouthOrd Slimlime set from Devon Locks, probably the 22 piece one. Is the difference between this and the 15 piece set a few USEFUL extras or are the extras just unnecessary duplicates?

I also wish to get a broken key extractor as I am forever paranoid that my key is going to break in the door one day! £38.95 plus p&p for the 22 piece set is expensive enough as it is for me, without having to pay an extra £19.95 for their Extractor set. Is an everyday tool/item to extract keys just as effective, such as safety pin or paperclip, etc, or is an Extractor recommended?

Also, is the Extractor Set on Devon Lock's Slimline page the same as that on the 'Standard' page or is it really a slimline (european) version. I notice that the Slimline product codes start with a letter C, whereas the Standard ones start with MP. I am not 100% sure but I think the last time I visited the SouthOrd site, the Extractor Set on the Slimline page had the code starting with M! Is this something that I need to be concerned about, as I definitely don't want to purchase a wide extractor when there's a slim one available?

Is there anything else I should consider purchasing now, to save on p&p costs later on?

Finally, do Devon Locks ever send discounts, etc via email? I could sure do with one!

Yes I know I said 'finally' above, but I just remembered another question. Are there any other good manufacturers worth considering apart from SouthOrd?

Thanks.

[vector40]

People have used cut-down hacksaw blades as extractors, I think. It's worth investing in at least one or two good ones, though.

[taylorgdl]

I hear Majestic do some nice picks, depending on the type of handle you want with them, and Safeventures sell the John Falle set, but its expensive and I think they only sell to locksmiths. There was talk a little while ago of getting several people together to buy a few sets from SV and split up the various components.
I think a majority of pickers on this site make their own from hacksaw blades, windscreen wipers, bike spokes etc
I've got the slimline set from southord, a few odds and ends from a Majestic set, some home made, and the Falle set. Of the actual picks (not wrenches) I only use 3 different ones these days !
Hope this helps,

G.

[pizarro]

Of the actual picks (not wrenches) I only use 3 different ones these days !

And your not going to tell us which three?

[Shrub]

I thought all the SO sets came with an extractor, perhaps im wrong, my 62 set did but yes they like to give copies of the picks the more you get in the set, for starting out get the better one you can afford then make your own specific ones.

[vector40]

The SO extractor is a joke. Absolutely worthless.

[Traveller]

Thanks everyone for the replies!

Vector, I am nowhere NEAR making my own at present; I haven't got the tools and even if I did, I think I would wait until I was MUCH more knowledgable of what kind of thing I preferred before trying to make it.

Why do you say that the SO extractor is not good? What is the problem with them?

Taylor, do you think it's worth me buying a 22 piece set? Will I only be needing a few of the picks or will I ever be using the rest of them?

Shrub, I have looked at the close-up photo of the 22 piece set and it doesn't look like it includes an extractor, but then again, I don't really have anything to go on except the picture of what an extractor looks like from the extractor set.

Thanks again.

[vector40]

The SouthOrd broken key extractor is essentially just a half-diamond with a flat angle on the rear and a steep one on the front. It is exactly as large as their picks. I have never seen a key that you would be able to fit this past.

You might be able to use it to remove a broken pick. That's about all.

Real extractors use very sharp barbs, are extremely slender, and are sometimes made to work past the key and get behind it, which obviously requires pretty teensy tolerances.

[jordyh]

I use figure saws for removing broken keys.
Those are barbed enough.
Though i'd advise you to use gloves for protection.

[linty]

in practice i pretty much never use pick-style extractors, i use the other style which goes in beside the key and has a sort of drill bit type way of grabbing the key.

http://clksupplies.com/shop/images/DCP_1173.JPG[/url]

[toomush2drink]

If your that desperate for an extracter get a 1/0 fine wire fishing hook and straighten it out. Most extractors dont work that well though so be warned.

[zeke79]

The peterson saw type extractors are the best I have ever used for pin tumbler locks hands down. They like everything peterson are pricey, but they are well worth it. I am also very fond of the sidewinder extractor when I am not able for some reason to use the saw type. They can both be found here http://www.peterson-international.com/extractors.htm . I do find that the hpc 2000 series extractors work very well also. They just are not quite as easy to use as the peterson saw.

[Traveller]

OK, thanks everyone, but what's a figure saw? Is it a coping saw?

http://www.abc-pinewood-derby.com/images/copingsawt.jpg

Is the blade to be modified in any way?

Thanks.

[Shrub]

Yes its a coping saw, you may want to grind some teeth off for comfort but other wise cut the ends off and your sorted, as toomush says a straightened fish hook also does well.

[jordyh]

yes, that's the one, might want to find the thinnest possible and make a handle, but it's great for getting broken keys out.