Info on modifying a SouthOrd 8-Pin Tubular Pick to a 7-Pin

by **R0gue** » 2 Apr 2004 0:41

im ready to buy one of the 7 pins as we speek. but i want this at my door asap. which site is the cheepest and the fastest? and which company makes the best 7 pin device?

by **raimundo** » 23 Apr 2004 9:49

I had a machinist friend make this at his job before he retired, the sliders and the grooves they ride in are on a tube of the wall dimension taken from measureing a keyblank ID and OD, (internal diameter and outside D)the notch pickup is a tube that fits inside this and rotates freely as well as slides out. this pick does all the locks in its diameter, including the one that has no notch pickup on the lock stem. This is possible because it can be drawn back and the outer tube manipulated by using the outside of the black O rings used for tension as handle. these no notch pickup locks are seen on some bicycle U locks. I suspect that the removable pickup in the photos will operate these locks also just by taking both pickups out.

by **Newbee** » 29 May 2004 11:03

I'm new and just ordered my first lock picks. I recieved my 8 pin tubular and now trying to convert it to 7 pins too.

Anyway I've managed to drill the hole and snugglely put the new pin in but the problem is how to get the original pin 8 out. I've tried plyers but it just doesn't want to come out.

I thank you unlock for that brilliant guide it saved me from having to buy a 7 pin tubular pick. Anyway the original pin is not coming out so should I keep trying or just drill right through it?

I should also advise other trying this that it's a very straightforward procedure. I was put off because I didn't have a drill press and my handle didn't come off but I still managed to drill straight with the new pin put firmly in (maybe I'm just good at DIY)

by **UnLock** » 29 May 2004 12:40

Newbee,

Glad to hear you had success in modifying your Tubular 8. As for the original pin, grab it very tightly with a pair of needle-nose and it will come out. When you grab it, try to pull it straight out. The needle-nose pliers I have are small so they can grab the entire pin. I tried using a standard set of needle-nose but found them to be too big to get into the shaft of the pick thus making it very difficult to get a good grip on the pin.

Let us know how you make out.

by **Newbee** » 30 May 2004 12:07

I've been trying so hard to get the original pin out but couldn't. I even a really high quality needle nose pliers but still couldn't get that pin to budge. In the end I decided to drill it.

I was really difficult to drill (especially with a hand drill and no vice to hold it) in the end I managed to get it all the way down but if you look inside it's quite a mess. I snapped the drill head so that it could be used as the tension tool (7 pin) and that works brilliantly. The sort of metals ready available in UK stores must be different that over there in the brilliant land of the US because all thin metal are weak and bend. The drill head I used to drill the original hole works the best.I just need to get another one so that I can drill a different hole for the 8 pin (since the original one is messed up)

To everyone else thinking of modifying. If you cannot get the original pin out I would advise you to take particular care because drilling it is so difficult without a drill press or vice. Other than that you have 7 more attempts if you do fail just make sure you stay clear from the edge of the tool and you'll be fine.

Thanks again Unlock.

by **The_Catz** » 6 Mar 2006 21:20

Ok, Without having tried this or having received an 8 pin pick yet, would this be feasible,

Taking the two tension pin holes and drilling them all the way through, then taking the handle and making to hole in it as well.

Putting two RETRACTABLE pins in the holes. Thus, 8 pin, slide that tension pin forward and the 7 pin backed out, and vice versa?

Thus eliminating the need to fiddle with forcefully removing the pins over and over to go back and forth?

Maybe I'm a dreamer, we'll see when I get my 8pin from southord, or maybe someone else will beat me to trying this.

by **Shrub** » 7 Mar 2006 7:56

Its not really feasable to be honest for a number of factors you will realise when you get your pick and start trying to mod it,

I have had to remake my pik due to this mod weakening it but thats a side note the thing is you will rarely use the 8pin version, you dont forceably pull the pins they should be a snug fit but easy to remove and insert with a pair of small side snips, the length of the pick and the accuracy needed to drill the holes to the other end stops any normal diy'er doing that in their home workshop, i would have a go on my machineary but its really not an issue, the size of hole would mean you will have to also drill from both sides.

If modding it stick to the above mod and youll be ok.

by **assweasel** » 17 Jun 2006 15:22

This conversion is excellent.
By geting an 8-pin pick you are really getting a pick that can open
7-pin standard
7-pin offset left
7-pin offset right

and of course 8-pin

So I wouldn't call this a conversion so much as an enhancment to the pick.

I use an HPC C-mod and on single ace gem or fort locks can open them most times just as quick with the pick as can be done with the key. I do have 10 years professional exp picking tubulars however.

by **Shrub** » 17 Jun 2006 19:38

Ive remade my SO pick twice now due to this mod weakening the pick but its good for a lot of use before things start breaking, the last remake should be the last i think as the shaft is now getting short and its now got a bit more meat on it to last a bit longer.

In hind sight i would actuall make them myself from stainless but as of now i cant be bothered while ive got one working lol

The brass shanft of the SO picks is not great.

by **assweasel** » 18 Jun 2006 15:46

If you are breaking the shaft after the Mod your using the tool too hard. Finesse and easy does it is tyhe key to openeing Tubulars. In my early days of picking tubulars I went through several HPC C-Mods they are stainless and i made no mod (a set screw removes the torque pin on the c-mod) but when i got experienced and good with the picking I had and still have the same pick 14 years now.

And my tubuilar pick of choice is the Mighty Mini (greenwald)

by **Shrub** » 18 Jun 2006 17:34

Yes i know your thoughts on the mighty mini all your earlier posts mention it

I know how to use the tool and i use it well, perhaps i need to clarify that each time is has broken has been on threaded locks that are tight (washing machine coin boxes etc) but trust me when i say its not user error except one time when it fell off the table to the floor and mashed the end up.

Its good you seem to like tubular locks so much, i like lever locks the same, but i also like all the other types as well.

by **Nasydave** » 19 Jun 2006 2:23

First thing, thanks unlock for remembering me.....

#2. Shrub, if you think YOUR tool looks bad, at one time I used a power tool to "fix" mine. I ended up calling it the "retard". By the way, the "retard", with a hose clamp, seven bobbie pins, and a tip that looked like a 45 degree angle, opened more ACE IIs than the original ever did.......go figure.

#3. Only do this mod if you really need to. Southords are cheap ($110 the pair from defensedevices.com). If I really waqnted to do the mods, I would pay the 100 for HPCs, which are built a LOT better.

by **The Seeker** » 1 Dec 2009 21:38

What is the best type of drill bit to use for this mod? (ie. bit material) :?:

Info on modifying a SouthOrd 8-Pin Tubular Pick to a 7-Pin

I have a different version

Re: Info on modifying a SouthOrd 8-Pin Tubular Pick to a 7-Pin

Who is online