comments on locks/plug follower

[maxxed]

I use 1/2" brass tubing and I cut a slot lengthwise in it, this way I can compress the tube down in size to fit the slightly under sized cylinders that show up every now and then

wow, thats probably one of the best ideas I've heard as far as adjustment and practicality .


totally blows AAA batteries out of the water

I also have a 17/32" tube cut the same way it fits the over sized Corbin/Russwin cylinders. It can also stretch over a standard 1/2" plug, this can aid in fitting the proper pins to a key because it prevents the key from dropping out the bottom. I have also used this to hold the sidebar pins on a Primus and high security Yale in place

[whiteknight38]

I keep a Mag mini-mag flash light on my key chain, and the flash light body makes a handy follower in a pinch.
Over 90% of all (North American) locks use the 1/2 inch dia followers, but once in a blue moon you'll need one that's just a smidgen narrower or larger. I remember reading a tip in an old National Locksmith about cutting a golf club up into four-inch pieces to make followers of an assortment of widths.
Cutting a notch in one end of a hollow follower, as pictured in the link to the set of plastic universal-followers from Lockpickshop.com will help on some cylinders, and the hollow aspect will help in others, especially those with wierd tapers, or attached tailpieces. (Sometimes a perfectly flat end on a follower will help loading pins into other cylinders, so a follower made from a cut-off paint brush, wooden spoon, or 1/2 inch dowel is usefull to have in the tool box as well.)
Some plug ends are so strange, that no follower end seems to be ideal, so its not a bad idea to have a piece of shim stock on hand, to make a bridge between the follower and the plug end, while you are removing and replacing the plug.

[m3ph15t0]

you will have to unscrew the silver ring shaped thingbob at the back. When you do the little black stick will come off and you'll be done. Then if you want to get the pins out, you put in the key and pull out the center plug, at which point driver pins and springs will probably fly everywhere. I recommend doing this step in a 1 gallon zip lock so that it catches the stuff.

[docdredd]

my wife is a teacher so i had her double laminate a coupla diffrent size pieces of construction paper. just roll it up slide inside and it expands to what ever diamater you need. works good for me