2 Finger v. Traditional Tension Wrenches

[logosys]

Aside from the appearance, what is the difference between 2 finger and traditional 'L' and 'Z' tension wrenches? Does one have advantages over the other? I seem to have better control with the 2 finger, but I don't get as much feedback from the lock as when I use a traditional.

Further more, shouldn't it be 'torque' wrench? Nothing is being put into tension! (Sorry, I'm an engineer, and it just bugs me!)

[Houdini Locksmiths]

Its all to do with the amount of pressure you want to apply to the lock. Different wrenches have different weights, some lighter than others. I think its up to the individual on which he/ she chooses. Some of the lighter ones are better for opening locks with Spools/ Mushrooms.

Harry

[mupet]

you will find that most locksmiths use the z shaped tension wrench for general picking as to enable them to keep there hand out of the way of the bisness end of the cylinder.

The double bent or 2 finger as you called it is mainly used for picking double sided wafer locks to enable you to work in the middle of the keyway

[Houdini Locksmiths]

[technik]

howz te spring wrench, waste of time or good? any particular locks it worx on?

[Chucklz]

I've not found any of the springy/feathertouch wrenches to be all that useful, but thats just me


logosys- the rest of us will call them turning tools (torque wrench conjures up images of something entirely different) when you engineers start using metric

[plot]

you put tension on the pins and bind them up...

i'm an engineering student, and Torque seems farther off since a lock you can turn at the center with a little tension, but according to t=rF, it's impossible to turn at the center... or there would be 0 torque and 0 force needed to do so. so when you turn a key, or a plug, no torque is really needed, but a little bit of force still is... hrm

blah, i like tension better then torque and 'turning tool'

[logosys]

logosys- the rest of us will call them turning tools (torque wrench conjures up images of something entirely different) when you engineers start using metric

Metric units are bad for a lot of engineering calculations because the units get such horrid exponents. However, I use metric calculations in a good bit of the work that I do, because I deal with a lot of overseas companies that use metric calculations and its just easier.

you put tension on the pins and bind them up...

i'm an engineering student, and Torque seems farther off since a lock you can turn at the center with a little tension, but according to t=rF, it's impossible to turn at the center... or there would be 0 torque and 0 force needed to do so. so when you turn a key, or a plug, no torque is really needed, but a little bit of force still is... hrm

blah, i like tension better then torque and 'turning tool'

Tension wrench definately sounds better, but technically it's incorrect. A rotational force is applied to the wrench (and thus the plug) putting the pins into shear at the top of the lock. There are no axial forces applied by the wrench, so it should be 'torque wrench' 'torsion wrench' 'shear wrench' or 'turning tool'

See, I'm here for 2 days, already stirring up trouble!

[Chucklz]

Plot if you consider that by rotating a plug you are applying a force to do this some radius away we get Tau= r x F . I dont turn my cylinders at the center, I turn them about the center....

[funboy79015]

you put tension on the pins and bind them up...

i'm an engineering student, and Torque seems farther off since a lock you can turn at the center with a little tension, but according to t=rF, it's impossible to turn at the center... or there would be 0 torque and 0 force needed to do so. so when you turn a key, or a plug, no torque is really needed, but a little bit of force still is... hrm

blah, i like tension better then torque and 'turning tool'

I am a physics grad student. Plot for your equation t=rF, you aren't applying a force at the center of the cylinder. R is the distance from the center of the cylinder to the point on the tension wrench you are applying the force. You apply a force in order to turn the cylinder. That IS a torque.

While torque wrench is a more proper name for the tool, it is convention to call it a tension wrench.

[benzy2]

Every time i hear torque wrench i think of this big bar that we use on cars to torque down nuts. To me it keeps the two spereated when called a tension wrench instead of a torque wrench. Really though we could call it a bunny rabbit as long as we all know what we are talking about.

[plot]

you put tension on the pins and bind them up...

i'm an engineering student, and Torque seems farther off since a lock you can turn at the center with a little tension, but according to t=rF, it's impossible to turn at the center... or there would be 0 torque and 0 force needed to do so. so when you turn a key, or a plug, no torque is really needed, but a little bit of force still is... hrm

blah, i like tension better then torque and 'turning tool'

I am a physics grad student. Plot for your equation t=rF, you aren't applying a force at the center of the cylinder. R is the distance from the center of the cylinder to the point on the tension wrench you are applying the force. You apply a force in order to turn the cylinder. That IS a torque.

While torque wrench is a more proper name for the tool, it is convention to call it a tension wrench.

yea, but when you put a key into the cylinder, you turn it with no radious...

[funboy79015]

yea, but when you put a key into the cylinder, you turn it with no radious...

Actually the lever arm with a key is not zero. The key has a width. Part of the key is off center thus when you turn the key you apply a torque to the cylinder.

The cylinder WILL NOT turn unless a torque is applied.

[logosys]

yea, but when you put a key into the cylinder, you turn it with no radious...

Actually the lever arm with a key is not zero. The key has a width. Part of the key is off center thus when you turn the key you apply a torque to the cylinder.

The cylinder WILL NOT turn unless a torque is applied.

This is true, however, I think I've sidetracked the original point of the thread. How many of you have used a 2 finger tension wrench?

[Chucklz]

Its okay, we all get sidetracked here, I do not enjoy my pronged wrench from SouthOrd, because It has an annoying flaw, at least imho. The prongs are flat and there is a tendency for the tension tool to fly out of the lock just as you set that last wafer or pin.