Curtain wheel pick

[gnu]

Hi
Can anyone tell me which is a good but reasonably priced curtain wheel pick suitable for BS mortice locks. Oh and where to get one.

gnu

[UWSDWF]

Chris Belcher... i think maybe a uk lockie could help better but most of the tools for that business you have to be a licenced lockie to buy if i'm correct

[RangerF150]

Well I can tell you what not to get !
Do not get the curtain wheel pick from Safe Ventures, I did, looks nice, well made, but not up to the job.
I had to modify mine, still not perfect but a lot better. You should not really have to modify a new tool to do the job for which it was intended.

Like buying a hammer and having to cut and chop and hack it before you could use it as a hammer , nuts

I do intend to post some picks, but my digital camera is on the blink, I will be getting a loan of one, as soon as I do I will post some picks.

In short, it's nearly impossible to get it into the lock when assembled, it has to be taken apart and assembled in the lock. That was after I had to mod it to fit into the lock in the first place ( a Chubb 5 lever )
Then you find that it will not go under the low levers, there is no way around this except another mod.
And without modding it, there is no way to remove the tool if you manage to open the lock, except to dis-assemble the tool and push the main part through the lock.
A total disaster of a tool!! Pretty expensive disaster at that

[lockey1963]

for the best value curtain pick the mark francis triple pick offers 3 gauges in 1 tool, it picks all low levers as well as the cb pick at a third of the price when you consider the 3 sizes of tool.

the cb pick too is good but more expensive to do same job

[Shrub]

I would go for the Chris Belcher picks evertime, ive tried just about all of them and still prefer the CB picks,

The MF one is ok but the shape is either to your taste or not,

The SV one wont do low levers which is its majour flaw,

The CB picks can be bought from M.E.Duffels but you do need to be a trading lockie to buy them,

If your a hobby picker have a look for my guide on the BS locks on how to make one,

[SteveW]

I'm with Shrub on this one Cb's all the way. The MF pick can give you all sorts of problems when your tight up against a door frame, though i do think you can remove the other stems on the current version of the pick. (please tell me if I'm wrong).

The ICL pick is probably best of the rest especially now that the wire is free to dig under the low levers, but i think the wires it comes with are going to struggle on many of the 'E' series locks. CB has this covered with wires available for all the new BS locks.

But you are gonna need trading proofs to get your hands on one

[UWSDWF]

hah i totally guessed right... sweet

[paul1982]

I tried the MF pick like shrub said awkward to hold, safe ventures was great on locks with no low lifts but i use the CB and cant fault it defo worth the extra

[gnu]

Hi Guys

Thanks for your replies, where is the best place to buy from at the best prices. I was looking at the ICL one I can get hold of one for £140 + vat which isn't too bad, no proof of lockieship required. I will probably have a go at Shrubs home brew one from his article.

What is the difference between 5 and 7 gauge I see that both the 2 in 1 and curtain wheel picks are both quoted in both of these sizes.

I havent seen the MF one for sale anywhere yet. If anyone can recomend good UK tool suppliers I would be grateful.

What about 2 in 1 picks has anyone got comments about these as to LH and RH or universal? Which makes do the job and which makes don't.

Thank again for a great site.

gnu

[79commando]

You will not get any ICL tools unless you can prove to be a trading lockie.

[Keyring]

Sorry - not correct.

[NIC]

Just Curious.How much is a 2 in 1 curtain pick worth ?

[Shrub]

ICL tools can be bought without any proof of trading at all, they have chosen to sell to wholesalers that do not ask for any details other than the delivery address, its not right but what can you do when money is the only thing they are interested in,
I would also prefer to buy the originals that they are coipied off but thats a differant story,

The CB picks can only be bought from M.E.Duffels and they need trading proof to buy them,

The MF pick can be bought from Aldridges and again you need proof of trading,

The SV pick is sold by SV themselves again proof of trading required unless your out ogf the uk and then they will sell you anything regardless of status (many hobby pickers buy tools from them),

The gauges are the lock gauge, the smaller the number the bigger the keyhole, the 5 and 7g locks are the most common with the 5g being the most common of the two in most cases, if your making one go for the 5g first,

A 2in1 is worth what you will pay,
A 2in1 costs differantly depending on what you buy from where,

The Rimmer Brothers (RB Medical) 2in1 picks are the best in my opinion, and they are around the £60 mark,

The univesal picks will fit locks mounted on either side of the door where as a sided one will only do locks on a certain side of the door,
I dont know anyone who uses sided 2in1's anymore and most including me only use universal ones and thats what i suggest you buy/make,

Just to be clear here, a 2in1 pick is a totally differant tool to a curtain pick and they are lock type sepcific as in a curtain pick is for curtain locks and a 2in1 is for non curtained locks,

These are however only my opinions and may not be the same for all lockies by a long shot, you find what you like, who you like to deal with, what works, what lasts without breaking etc etc by yourself and make your own minds up i can only say what i know and have tried or use myself,

[Knows-Picker]

Shrub, maybe a dumb question but what is the full name of "SV" and do you have a link? and what is M.E. Duffels? I usually use either home made pics or peterson/southord so I have never even heard of those two suppliers. (also in the US so that may play a factor too.)

[Knows-Picker]

Shrub, maybe a dumb question but what is the full name of "SV" and do you have a link? and what is M.E. Duffels? I usually use either home made pics or peterson/southord so I have never even heard of those two suppliers. (also in the US so that may play a factor too.)