Picks or Tension Tools, What's More Important?

by **Raccoon** » 24 Jul 2007 3:44

PS. I'm a locksmith and picking locks is my job. On that note, my vote may be bias because I'm usually picking Kwiksets or Schlages in a host of variable conditions that warrant a greater variety of tensioners.

I usually grab for the long twist-flex wrench, but will often have to settle for a short twist-flex. If the plug is recessed in the knob I'll use a tulip, and if the keyway is tight I'll have to use a 6-12 to properly tension the top of the keyway without slipping. Then there's wafer locks that require one of my wishbone tensioners. I also have a twist-flex that I shortened so it doesn't clog up the keyway so deeply. And honestly, the featherlight (red handle) has never opened a lock for me.

I would like to expand my collection of tensioners to include some of Peterson's serrated wrenches with a variety of widths.

by **n00bking** » 24 Jul 2007 12:25

Anyone want to post pics of their tension wrench collections?

For me, I use 2. Standard and Twist handle one. I have a thinline, it bends horrible so I don't use it. I have one from a pick gun that has a very short part where it goes into the lock. It is OK, I mostly put it in the top of the cylinder...but then it blocks my pick from getting at the 1st pin. So I don't use it much. I have one of those tension wrenches from lockpicktools.com that is a standard one but instead of twisting the handle they twist the "head" of the wrench...rarely use it.

by **Raccoon** » 24 Jul 2007 12:29

That one with the twisted head you mentioned is the 6-12, and I find it holds well in the top of the keyway. It doesn't jump out like other tensioners held to the side.

You shouldn't have a problem picking the first pin with a regular hook pick, might just take some practice. I do recommend the 6-12 for this.

by **Cherokee** » 24 Jul 2007 15:47

IMO the two tools (wrench & pick) are as impotant as each other as you need both to pick a lock.

Experaince is shown in the correct selection of both as well as skill & experaince in actully picking the lock.

I have found over the last year it is more productive to make homemade bespoke tension tools than home made picks. :idea:

Kind Regards,
Cherokee

by **Cherokee** » 24 Jul 2007 15:48

IMO the two tools (wrench & pick) are as impotant as each other as you need both to pick a lock.

Experaince is shown in the correct selection of both as well as skill & experaince in actully picking the lock.

I have found over the last year it is more productive to make homemade bespoke tension tools than home made picks. :idea:

Kind Regards,
Cherokee

by **n00bking** » 24 Jul 2007 20:24

the 6-12 wrench's head is too large, maybe I should cut it down...

I don't care what tension wrench you give me I still can't get my 140.

by **freakparade3** » 24 Jul 2007 20:34

n00bking wrote:the 6-12 wrench's head is too large, maybe I should cut it down...

I don't care what tension wrench you give me I still can't get my 140.

There is no such thing as "can't" in lockpicking. There is only "haven't picked it yet." :wink:

by **Wrenchman** » 24 Jul 2007 21:34

Larve Variety of Tension Tools!

*Large

Wrenchman

by **n00bking** » 25 Jul 2007 16:53

freakparade3 wrote:
n00bking wrote:the 6-12 wrench's head is too large, maybe I should cut it down...

I don't care what tension wrench you give me I still can't get my 140.

There is no such thing as "can't" in lockpicking. There is only "haven't picked it yet."

young rooster has picked this lock thrice. young rooster has been cursed with hard pinning. young rooster likes calling himself young rooster and talking in 3rd person

by **blake1803** » 25 Jul 2007 20:36

n00b: are you talking about a Master 140? If so... realize that they use both spool and serrated pins. Use EXTREMELY light tension. You might try raking with a snake to get the false set before SPP, if you're having trouble with SPP. One method you might try when picking those is using more tension from twisting the pick within the lock than from the tension wrench itself... not a good habit, but it can work.

by **n00bking** » 25 Jul 2007 21:22

I do. The deepest pin in the lock I believe is a serrated, the other 3 are spools. But the pinning of this lock is totally ridulous.

it is something like this

3776 handle of key.

So the serrated pin is a 3 cut, and the other ones are really deep. I can get a false set in like .00001 seconds. What I try to do is put tension on the plug, duh, then I use a kinda lot of power while pushing up the first 3 pins. to get them past the spools or w/e. Like the sheer line binds on the 4th pin, but I do the first 3 pins first. the sheer line catches on the bottom of the spool when it turns "fat". I push it past that so I can set the pins.

So 3 out of 4 set right? good right?!?

then idk what the n00b but I can't get the lock to open from that point on. I have tried like basically everything man...

by **n00bking** » 25 Jul 2007 21:22

I do. The deepest pin in the lock I believe is a serrated, the other 3 are spools. But the pinning of this lock is totally ridulous.

it is something like this

3776 handle of key.

So the serrated pin is a 3 cut, and the other ones are really deep. I can get a false set in like .00001 seconds. What I try to do is put tension on the plug, duh, then I use a kinda lot of power while pushing up the first 3 pins. to get them past the spools or w/e. Like the sheer line binds on the 4th pin, but I do the first 3 pins first. the sheer line catches on the bottom of the spool when it turns "fat". I push it past that so I can set the pins.

So 3 out of 4 set right? good right?!?

then idk what the n00b but I can't get the lock to open from that point on. I have tried like basically everything man...

by **n00bking** » 25 Jul 2007 21:23

I do. The deepest pin in the lock I believe is a serrated, the other 3 are spools. But the pinning of this lock is totally ridulous.

it is something like this

3776 handle of key.

So the serrated pin is a 3 cut, and the other ones are really deep. I can get a false set in like .00001 seconds. What I try to do is put tension on the plug, duh, then I use a kinda lot of power while pushing up the first 3 pins. to get them past the spools or w/e. Like the sheer line binds on the 4th pin, but I do the first 3 pins first. the sheer line catches on the bottom of the spool when it turns "fat". I push it past that so I can set the pins.

So 3 out of 4 set right? good right?!?

then idk what the n00b but I can't get the lock to open from that point on. I have tried like basically everything man...

by **freakparade3** » 25 Jul 2007 22:26

If you are correct about the pinning being 3776 the lock should be very east to pick, no matter what type of pins are used.

by **n00bking** » 26 Jul 2007 11:45

actually I looked at the pinning again yesterday night. The deepest pin's cut on the key is like touching the "roof" of the cylinder.

So like 1776

Picks or Tension Tools, What's More Important?

Tension Tools or Picks?

Who is online