Regarding Simple Lever Locks - A Complete Guide by illusion

by **Shrub** » 14 Dec 2005 20:03

Interior doors only, i only fit them to bathrooms or celler doors etc.

Never on an outside door but they were the standard at one point before the set standards were brought in so you do often come across them on outside doors of old houses and the only thing securing the back door in most cases.

For some reason (i think its the cost, they are at least 1/3 of an average BS lock) the builders and chippies still seem to fit them in which i just cant understand how they get through building regs sometimes as ive seen them on new extensions and such like which are supposed to be checked by a building inspector, they obviously dont go that far into it.

by **devildog** » 26 Jan 2006 21:06

Didn't see this until now. Very nicely done.

Might I inquire as to the possibility of a tutorial on how to make a two-in-one wheel pick for locks with curtains? Is this even feasable without professional metal-working tools, such as a mill, lathe, waterjet etc.?

I don't think there's been anything on how to actually MAKE one of these picks yet, and although they can be bought by lockies (and hobbiests who are really persistent), there's not much fun in that.

by **illusion** » 26 Jan 2006 21:47

Might I inquire as to the possibility of a tutorial on how to make a two-in-one wheel pick for locks with curtains? Is this even feasable without professional metal-working tools, such as a mill, lathe, waterjet etc.?

With the exception of Securefast, the curtain actualy acts as a bolt turner in curtained locks so the 2-in-1 is not necesary.

2-in-1 picks will work well for non-curtained locks, but due to the fact that you must cut the talon which engages the bolt accordingly to different locks it seems better to simply use two pieces of wire if you are a hobbiest - these are both cheap, and work equaly as well with practice. The 10-20 lever safe locks might be an exception, but I don't see many hobbiests going that far due to the price of the locks themselves.

You could make your own 2-in-1 pick with two pieces of hollow tubing... one just small enough to slide into the other.. at the end of each is welded a small rod to engage the bolt and also to lift the levers... you could silver-solder these on. I guess you could silver-solder some handes to turn them.... never tried so this is all theory based.

To be honest anything that willl turn the curtain, and maintain turning force in order to create tension should be fine... two pieces of wire - one to turn the curtain, one to lift the levers would probably work.

by **devildog** » 26 Jan 2006 22:26

you must cut the talon which engages the bolt accordingly to different lock

Huh? What about the CB and Safeventures 2-in-1 picks? The one on Safeventures' site is called the 'Curtain Wheel Pick'. It seems that these are essentially universal lever lock picks. What am I missing here?

by **illusion** » 27 Jan 2006 12:40

okay... curtained locks have different sized curtains.

'5G' is the most common size, but you also find others such as '7G' so you need different size curtain picks for each sized curtain.

For instance, the Era Profit has a '7G' sized curtain, whilst the Era Invincible has a '5G' curtain. Each of these locks will need a different curtain pick to open them.

The 2-in-1 pick aims to catch the notch cut into the bolt and begin to slide it - well the notch is of different heights on different locks, and so the talon may work on one, but not another. You will need a few to cover most locks.

A curtain pick is not a 2-in-1 pick...

A 2-in-1 pick has two rods - one to tension the bolt, and one to lift the levers.

A curtain pick has the same aspect as the key, and where there would normaly be the bitted part of the key there is a raised stump of metal which catches the curtain and begins turning it. A seperate wire runs next to this raised stump of metal and allows you to lift the levers.

by **skedone** » 8 Mar 2006 10:02

very nice guide i like it i love all guide with how to make and use picks as i do this more for a hobie than anything else

by **azure** » 3 Jun 2006 14:34

is the only option to make your own picks if you wish to pick locks like this? apart from the "curtain wheel pick" set which devildog mentioned previosly, which i cannot afford at a price of Â£176.

by **Shrub** » 3 Jun 2006 14:36

Well yes the two options are buy the tools or make them, the curtain pick doesnt work on these locks anyway as its not got a curtain.

You can only buy the required tools for these locks if you are a locksmith anyway so make your own.

by **azure** » 3 Jun 2006 16:41

ok boss

by **Shrub** » 3 Jun 2006 19:14

Why be funny about it? you asked i helped! I was not having a go, i didnt flame, i didnt tell you to push off, i wasnt nasty etc etc whats the problem?

Would you prefer a lie?

Yes sure you can buy the tools from anywhere, they are a few pounds each and anyone can buy them.

Better?

by **azure** » 4 Jun 2006 12:32

Shrub wrote:You can only buy the required tools for these locks if you are a locksmith anyway so make your own.

just sounded like an order, im not being funny about it, calm down.[/b]

by **jordyh** » 4 Jun 2006 12:52

azure wrote:
Shrub wrote:You can only buy the required tools for these locks if you are a locksmith anyway so make your own.

just sounded like an order, im not being funny about it, calm down.[/b]

Dear Azure,

Reading Lockpicking101's threads, you'll find out that most of the members here are pretty straightforward.
There are some exeptions of the rule, but i've found out that it's allmost a common trait we all share.
we speak our mind, have different opinions but still respect each other none the less. Also, we appear to instruct.

Please understand that we don't. (well, we don't intend to anyway, unless specific instruction is asked, I myself hate spoon feeding).
They just say what is possible and what is not.
I hope this clears it up.

Happy picking,

Jordy

by **azure** » 4 Jun 2006 13:12

thanks jordy, ill have a different outlook next time. :wink:

by **omgxraycat** » 23 Jul 2006 5:41

I just wanted to formally thank you illusion for your time to make this guide! I am currently taking the foley-belsaw course. I just came along a lesson that was showing how lever tumbler locks worked and how to pick them. The pictures were black and white and very hard to understand. I read your guide and now I completely understand what I'm doing. I don't think I'll encounter many of these in my lifetime, but I just wanted to let you know that I appreciate the help

by **illusion** » 24 Jul 2006 4:41

It's always cool to hear people say it helped them, so thanks.

Lever locks do make apearances on some old house doors in the USA, and are sometimes used on bathroom doors. :wink:

Regarding Simple Lever Locks - A Complete Guide by illusion

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