Peterson Flat 5 Template

[devildog]

Which do you like better? I've always liked spring/tool steel better as opposed to stainless myself.

[zeke79]

Honestly, I love the feel of the gov steel. It really does have a great feel to it and does feel very rigid and strong. More so than their spring steel picks. My only complaint is that they do not offer them in plastic handles which I prefer over the rubber. I have voiced my opinion to Ken on this matter but who knows how far that will fly.

For what it is worth, last year (2005) at the ALOA show I do believe Ken was selling government steel picks individually. This is from memory so I could be wrong as it has been a year since then. I didnt make it to the ALOA show this year (wish I had now) so I have no idea if any were sold individually this year. All you can do is call and ask.

[Spossum]

Hi, I am a newbie. Never even picked my first lock yet. I have made 3 picks
that I am proud of, but haven't made a tension bar yet that I like. I like the way these look. Could I make one of these from a hacksaw blade? I am going to try tomorrow, I will let you know.

[Gordon Airporte]

Hi, I am a newbie. Never even picked my first lock yet. I have made 3 picks
that I am proud of, but haven't made a tension bar yet that I like. I like the way these look. Could I make one of these from a hacksaw blade?

If you can find one that's ~3/4" wide. The most common ones seem to be 1/2". I think a putty knife would be good material to make these from.

[zeke79]

I agree that a putty knife would work just about right to make one. Nice suggestion Gordon.

[Spossum]

Thanks for the putty knife idea. I did make one yesterday like the one's Pyro makes in his video from a fine toothed hacksaw blade, but I left the teeth on the end similar to these. I like it alot, it doesn't slip out. I played with it at work today trying to pick a simple master padlock without success, but I felt I got close a few times. I like the putty knife idea alot, and will try to make one. Unfortunately, I have begun a project in the yard, it may be a few days. Thanks for the advice, I am trying not to ask too many stupid questions.

[Spossum]

I looked back thru this thread and the one I made looks just like the bottom one in the picture ScampDog posted. That's probably where I got the idea and I love it, thanks Scamp.

[Spossum]

I sat down at the kitchen table while my wife was fixing dinner and was talking to her and trying to pick a Defiant deadbolt. I know it is a cheap lock but I could not believe after about 15 minutes it started turning. It was the last pin furthest in that I was failing to reach. I guess I picked them in the wrong order but when I found that last pin it turned. My wife could not believe it. But, once it broke free in order to turn it far enough to completely unlock it I bent my new tension bar. I straightened it back out with a pair of pliers and tried again. This time it was less than 5 minutes, but while I was turning it my tension bar broke off. Should I use another tool once I pick the lock to crank it open, like a screwdriver or something.

[Spossum]

I finally got a little free time a couple days ago and made an imitation Peterson style tension bar. I used a Red Devil brand putty knife like Gordon suggested. I cut it out using a Dremel. I still need to polish it up, and I may grind down the main shaft part a little more to make it thinner. I also might notch out the ends or serate them a little bit, I haven't decided yet. Anyway, the metal is a good material for tension bars, I think. It held up well to the cutting and grinding. It also feels good, flexible but strong. I like it alot, especially the size is nice for padlocks. Thanks Gordon.

[Kaotik]

Your tensoin wrench looks pretty good. I can aslo see that the two ends are different sizes, good, that comes in handy for different size keways.

Some scrapers and putty knives are stainless and some are not, you will have t keep a lookout for these. I prefer stainless and other semi-non corrosive metals for my projects.

Good job, a little sanding in progressive grits of black automotive sandpaper will do it justice and make it look very nice.

[Bud Wiser]

I've got all the Peterson tensions. The flat five are good, but also very good is the Three Serrated Tension Tools! Hope you don't mind I post about them in your flat five thread.

These are highest quality steel, are not flat but still very useful.





These are indeed pricey, $24, but worth it! As you can see 2 wrenches are serrated on both sides, and on the double end wrench serrated only on one side. These tensions have come in handy for me working with smaller or tighter key ways. They are all medium rigid and small.

There is no doubt a lot of though has gone in to every tension wrench Peterson makes.

[Spossum]

Thanks for your comments. I chose the best putty knife I owned hoping to get the best steel. I decided to test it out for a couple days before I polished it up but I like it so I will complete the job now. Now I want some like Bud Wiser's too, they are very pretty. I have looked at the Peterson web sight and it looks like they make very good stuff. They say they only sell to locksmiths and security type people though, so I am trying to make my own. Thanks again, I am very new to all of this so I appreciate how helpful everyone has been so far.

[Bud Wiser]

Thanks for your comments. I chose the best putty knife I owned hoping to get the best steel. I decided to test it out for a couple days before I polished it up but I like it so I will complete the job now. Now I want some like Bud Wiser's too, they are very pretty. I have looked at the Peterson web sight and it looks like they make very good stuff. They say they only sell to locksmiths and security type people though, so I am trying to make my own. Thanks again, I am very new to all of this so I appreciate how helpful everyone has been so far.

Peterson does make quality stuff, but don't think you absolutely need it. Despite having all the Peterson tension wrenches, the ones I most use are my own home made, and my HPC and SO wrenches.

There is no reason for a noob to spend $50 for 7 tension wrenches.

At least wait a month

[Spossum]

I have ground down and sanded my tension bar. It looks alot better. I would do one thing differently next time. I used an old putty knife from my garage that is covered with dried up plaster, paint, JB weld, and who knows what else. By the time I ground all that crap off it there were a few pretty deep gouges. I still don't have them all sanded out. Next time I will just go buy a new putty knife and use it, because I am going to have to replace this one anyway. Should save a lot of work.

[iNtago]

ok here i made 2 today that work great the top is wiper inserts bottom is a nail i found on the grond that i bent and filed flat