Do you switch tension tools mid picking?

[machinist]

Does anyone every switch tension wrenchs or just switch to a small screwdriver for more power?

I keep running into this problem: I have a couple very thin tension wrenchs made from a junior hacksaw blades with a 90 twist in them making perfect springy light tension. However, I have a few locks (all padlocks) that have a retrun spring just strong enough to bend my delicate tension wrenches out when turnf all the way to unlock. I usually switch to a a beefier tension wrench or somtimes just use a very small screwdriver after all the pins have set. Does anyone else do this? I have never picked a functionally installed door lock but surely moving a rusty bolt takes some effort a light touch tension wrench might not handle?

[jimb]

I always use a screwdriver to open a deadbolt lock after all the pins are set and I have changed tension wrenches in mid-stream by going from the bottom of the lock to the top.

[!*AMP*!]

I find that switching tension wrenches is sometimes tricky, but is necessary on some locks. I too have bent a tension wrench the same way you have.

[Krypos]

i never switch tension wrenches, but i do somtimes switch to a screw driver, i know that some deadbolts that are a bit older sometimes have to kinda click at the end to finish retracting the bolt, and it would bend even the strongest of tension wrenches to try, so i just whip out a screw driver and use that at the end if necessary.

as for padlocks, well, sometimes it FEELS like you need way more tension, but you dont really. it can be a tricky thing to learn. but there are some padlocks that DO require a screw driver to turn, although, in my experience, those are usually older locks.

[Shrub]

I switch wrenches about as often as i switch picks which can be quite often on an awkward lock,
However i would normally reset the lock each time,

I do however as already said put a differant wrench in the top of the key way mid pick or will put a differant one in to continue the rotation after its picked if the first one is hitting the door pull or frame or somthing,

You will find that if careful you can change wrenches without keep tension on with a lot of locks, set pins stay set,

[Kaotik]

I don't use thin tensors such as some that come in a SouthOrd set. Mine are usually thin enough to enter a majority of keyways, but yet strong enough to open all locks.

As said above, some deadbolts have restrictions (the last click) to finish the bolt retraction, but if you will simply push in on the door, the last bit is easier to retract without dragging against the plate in the door frame.

[!*AMP*!]

I can't stand the thin tension wrenches. Maybe it's because I started with thicker ones, and don't want to get used to thin ones again, who knows. Most of the locks I have are pretty heavy duty as well, too, so that has a bit of a say on it.

[cbuk2k]

I got a snap gun from Southord and it came with a perfect tension tool, it was about 50% thicker than a standard Southord one. I have been meaning to email them and try and buy some more. I like really firm feed beck from a tension tool so often jam a small hook behind a thinner tension tool to stop it slipping.
I often fin that if you need to change or move the tension tool you are using you can do it without unsetting the lock by pushing on the plug so it cant rotate due to friction.

[!*AMP*!]

And then some really rugged locks stay in the 1 or 2 o'clock position by themselves...but then you end up fighting with the freakin' lock later on.

[bpc293]

i switch all the time to but i'll reset the pins. i think there was maybe two locks i didnt reset before switching. because they where such a pain i didnt want to lose the pins i had set already.