New shims material

[raimundo]

three tenths of a millimeter? I really love it when someone discovers a mcguyver use for something that otherwise would be high tech trash, there are some wires under the space bar of a computer keyboard that are worth saving for thier hardness and temper, with right angles already in them for lever pick tools, and recently I discovered how flexible yet really hard the center wire on a cell phone pull out antenna is, it will make an excellent mcguyver pick easily, if you can succeed in bending a suitable hook on one end, I used heat to help bend mine. while the shaft will flex, in a keyway, this hook can be rotated anticlockwise under a pin to lift and set it, and it can work in really restricted keyways because the shaft is round. you have to learn to work with the flexy shaft though, don't expect it to compare to other picks because its a different concept from the ground up, a twisting hook on a flexy shaft. try it on keymark cylinders.

[Squelchtone]

Atrix:

BRAVO! =) Excellent idea!

Very good photographs too!


-Squelchtone

[needlockfu]

For a similar material, use the metal gate bit from a floppy disk.

Sorry if this is already common knowledge.

NLF

[jay----]

Good idea!!!
I don't have those ink cartridges but I do have some other ones which I have no use for. Maybe i'll rip them apart before I throw them out!


Those pictures are great!! Some of them could pass for desktops!!

[lockedin]

I give your props. And nice pictures too.

[Mutzy]

Well done, those pictures look good.

Can I make a motion for a sticky?

[NIC]

Would really thin feeler gauges work for shims?

[bulletsnz]

What about the spring inside a tape measure ,its really thin,its spring steel and theres alot of it.

[Krypos]

as a few of you seem a bit new to this, not to judge, but just to point out.

just so everyone is clear, opening a tape measure can be rather dangerous. i almost died once upon a late night when i decided to reveal its treasures.

i made a post about it many months ago if anyone really cares to read it.

basically, there is a very strong, compressed spring steel inside it, and the tape measure says right on it (usually) highly compressed spring steel. or something of the like.

i just want everyone who is thinking of this to take proper precaution. it can put an eye out or worse, should any steel come near the jugular.

ok, responsible action taken. now, tear those things apart!

[Charodei]

If you really want to open up a tape measure, cut the tab off the end of the tape first. This will let the spring unwind and release most, but not all, of its tension safely inside the housing. The tape itself will try to unroll and straighten itself, so you should still use caution when opening the case.

[bulletsnz]

Is it a nice thickness or is it to thick.

[nekret]

Hate to thread hijack but has anyone successfully used the tape from a tape measure? I'm guessing its probably too thick on decent ones but the cheap ones should be thinner, hopefully thin enough. Sadly I only have a miniature one to cut up (ie the ones you see on key chains) so there wouldn't be any viable material.

[nekret]

Gahh I would think by now I would've learned to search first
viewtopic.php?t=16271

[raimundo]

I have seen that spring before, though I havent made any shims out of it, it is thin enough and stiffer than any aluminum or steel can. its spring stainless steel. it will make a very nice shim, of course i don't make the kind of butterfly shim shown, I make the straight down push type. wher you have the shim end and you can bend the handle end 90 degrees to have a place to put your thumb when pushing down. Push down method, sometimes needs to be pushed in as many as three times to get the lock to swollow it, push in shim and shackle, push shim as far as it will go, hold shim in and pull out shackle then push both in again.
Pushing down the shackle helps on some locks, because the top of the notch in the shackle pushs down on the cam angle of the locking dog and starts it moving back, then the shim pushed in prevents it springing forward, and as more shim contacts the locking dog, it is pushed further back every time.

[BobbO45]

I kind of though that opening up the tape measure was fun - *Bang*!!!
The thing kind of exploded and the tape went everywhere. The best way to store the tape is to put it back in the tape measure case, without the spring being wound up. Then you can just pull out the length you need, and go from there.

As for how well the tape measure works, I haven't had a problem with my tape measure shims yet. They are quite strong, and hold up to a lot of use.

I too would suggest the push down method, especially on the combination master locks.

When making the shims I have found that a grinder works best for shaping them once you have the basic outline cut out with tin snips or scissors. I also like to gently grind off the paint from the outer side of the tape, it makes the shim that much skinnier without compromising any of its strength (sandpaper works too, but grinding is quicker).

also, don't forget: COVER THE TOP EDGES WITH TAPE! Or else you will cut up your fingers pretty severely while pushing down (learned this from experience).