Tool review: The Staddon roller pick, for Chubb 114/115

[Safekey]

I would appreciate it, if anyone had any views on the Staddon Roller Pick for the chubb 3G114 / 3G115 / 3K74 / 3K75 locks.
Have you used it, or thinking about it etc. etc.

I bought it about a year ago and have used it many times, but this info is for research purposes only.

Many thanks *

[Dark Angel]

Have you got any pictures of the pick?.

[Safekey]

[Dark Angel]

I tried one of these tools out on my lock opening course,they are a great piece of kit,but from what i can recall they are very expensive to buy?.
I guess it is one of those tools that you would love to have but can never seem to justify spending all that money on.Do you get much use from the kit,and how easy do you find it to use?.

[Safekey]

I think I paid about £300, but don't quote me on that. I use it probably once every two to four weeks, so it has paid for itself.

The designers state that after half an hours practice you should be able to open a lock on the doorstep "in under a few minutes"
The quickest I have accomplished an open on the doorstep with this tool is 25 mins.

in business it certainly looks more proffesional using this tool in front of a client rather than drilling, (which can take just as long.) It also gives a good return on profit if you don't have to replace or repair the lock.

Without doubt, more chance of success opening these locks than any other kind of pick, and only once have I given up with this tool.

[toomush2drink]

I see safeventures do a version for £470 inc vat , would you then cut a key afterwards in the van by machine or hand ? Long term this must get easier to use and like you say it looks a bit more professional than drilling, maybe gaining repeat work by word of mouth ?
May i ask safekey do you use any other specialist picks on a regular basis other than things like the 2in ones, try outs ,jigglers etc ? Just wondering if say a local authority used the same brand locks on all its properties etc that required a certain pick ?

[jason]

Yep local authorities and some housing associations use a preferred brand of lock.

LBH use Union oval cylinders (one on a live bolt, the other one is a deadbolt) - two in total per door.

Where they use mortice lever locks, they seem to favour Chubb 3G114 - drilled when necessary.

For padlocks they use the ERA Big 6 (picks from RB Medical)

Anyone else know/want to post what their local authority uses?

[Safekey]

Toomush - The price sounds about right, I was probably on the generous side to the supplier.
Following any job with this tool, I ask the customer if they have a spare inside or with a friend etc, which will determine whether to change the levers. I keep spare sets with keys in the van to save time.

As you know, chubb are very popular, some clients call any kind of mortice lock a chubb out of ignorance. I purchased the tool when I got called out to a local bar where the cellar had a thick steel door which they did not want drilled in any way.

I don't do a great deal of work for the LA's, but have come across a private landlord (Company) who have every door, on every property they own (700+) an evva master key system. Mostly rim and euro cylinders.

My favourite tool is the cylinder snapper. I bought it about 2 years ago and use it every week. I inform the client, "The cost of replacement cylinders compared to labour time" Although, this also depends on if you can get a good grip on the cylinder in question. Without doubt, the tool has paid for itself many, many times and only cost about £30.00.

[toomush2drink]

Thanks safekey for the advice and yes the snapper, what better way of making someone feel insecure. Its a scarey but very effective tool.

[mbell]

About hat cylinder snapper. I heard it only works if the cylinder sticks out more than about 3mm. So does this rely upon poor diying/locksmithing skills in fitting the lock in the 1st place? I know they don't come in EVERY size but people's euro cylinders I've seen beofre stick out about 10mm either side.

[Safekey]

You do need 3mm or more. I have found that the majority of euro and oval cylinders fitted by non-smithers are either to big or to small.
Ideally, the cylinder should be fitted with a bolt through escutcheon without any overlap.

Without the correct furniture though, the cylinder will snap off within seconds. Then the locksmith can advise the client to have a new lock, cylinder and appropriate furniture.

Without doubt, the best tool investment I have ever made.

[Luke]

Just out of interest. If anyone knows where to get a Euro lock snapper or how to make one - let me know, it'd be a good back up tool

[xlr8ed1]

Does this mortice pick use a series of pins relating to the height of the key depths? I assume so - however how do you test that you have the lever at the correct height? is the pick hollow to allow some sort of feeler down to test the pins height to see whether they are binding or free?

[PickPick]

You do need 3mm or more.

I haven't tried it but in Germany Wendt sells a snapper that's combined with a puller, so you put the screw in to pull and use the snapper at the same time. I've heard it's pretty effective. It's called ZIEH-FIX Premium
and available from www.ziehfix.de or as the Lockforce tool from Multipick.

To xlr8ed1: www.safeventures.com carries a good description of the pick

[jason]

I'm guessing that would be done using plasticine or similar sitting on a thin key blank used to impression the lock and getting the rough idea of the lock's lever/picks pin combination that way - that's briefly how the make up kit works.

Does the roller kit work on other brands/models though?