CB Multi Guage Curtain Pick

[Malc]

Any one here have the new CB MG curtain pick ? Is it the all singing all dancing pick it is made out to be. Before spending my money can anyone tell me which locks they have picked with it, which locks should it pick and your views on it.

I think at £180 odd is appears to be good value if it picks a wide range of locks !!! ???

Cheers

Malc

[NickBristol]

It certainly is very good. I use it for all my mortice picking and I doubt I'd move back to another pick. In my mind the only tool that comes close to being it's equal is the Mark Francis Triple pick.

What have you used to pick with before?

There is at least one other thread on the CB MG pick, with lists of locks picked. From my point of view I've used it to pick all the common BS mortice locks in use in the UK.

[Malc]

It certainly is very good. I use it for all my mortice picking and I doubt I'd move back to another pick. In my mind the only tool that comes close to being it's equal is the Mark Francis Triple pick.

What have you used to pick with before?

There is at least one other thread on the CB MG pick, with lists of locks picked. From my point of view I've used it to pick all the common BS mortice locks in use in the UK.

Thanks, that is useful info. I've tended to pick and drill which is not the way I wish to open BS locks, hence why I'm looking at the Chris's Multi Gauge.

[Malc]

NickBristol

Cannot seem to find any info whatsoever in the search section:

Can you tell me which 5 lever BS and non BS locks you have picked with the Mutli Gauge.

Cheers

[taylorgdl]

I'm not sure what it picks but . . .

From other discussions it seems to be an excellent buy if you're comfortable with picking BS locks using a flexing wire (compared to a solid pick, like the Safe Ventures one).

The downsides being, if you've already got a 5G and 7G CB pick, and wires to go with them, then there is little value in buying this one, and on some occasions there is no keyhole in the other side of the door to allow the pick to penetrate far enough.

Easy to sort by drilling a new key hole though.

So, as long as you're happy picking with wires, its a bargain.
If you're not happy, get some training (Chris supplies this as required) or the Multi Guage will sit at the bottom of your tool box, un-used.

[lockey1963]

its worth mentioning that if you are at all heavy handed then you will be wasting your cash on this tool, it requires a very very light hand.

chris already makes the best curtain pick on the market with his 5g and 7g pocket picks, more robust and a better feel all round than the MG tool , i dont think it as good as these, but when you peak with the best tool on the market its hard to top it.

if light handed then the MG tool will be great value for you, if slightly heavy handed then the standard 5g and 7g tools are best bet, if heavy handed then better suited to a solid tool.

[Chris B]

I apologize for interrupting this thread, but I have to.

The MG pick is far stronger than the original CB RPCP picks.
If you put too much pressure on it, when picking, you're more likely to break the curtain, than the tool.
It is made from silver steel which is then hardened and tempered to a similar strength and hardness of a good quality allen key.
Even though it's small, it doesn't mean that its delicate.

Re: the 'Flexing wires', your words not mine.
If you are flexing the wires when picking - then you are the heavier handed type of picker, and yes, the RB + SV etc etc is suitable for you. This is not an insult, but a fact.
The majority of people who have the greatest success are very happy with the wires as they are, even though we offer a heavier gauge wire there is only a couple of people who buy them.

Furthermore, the F Wire and the S Wire will still work on the CB MG as they do with the CB RPCP, however the Standard wires will not. They are specific to their own tool. But that is a more complex subject.

regards
Chris B

[lockey1963]

I should have been clearer, i prefer the original tools to the MG tool, having used both on the door and the bench.

the 5g standard tool with the L wire is still best on new legge, the F wire i still prefer with the standard body, but i guess its down mostly to personal preference.

i am glad however that the new tool is doing well , but like most old dogs, i prefer what i cut my teeth on every time.

[Chris B]

Can I ask a question?
I'm interested as to why you thought that it wasn't as robust?
Was it just because of it's size?

I can understand favourite tools, I have them myself, and I do remember you having favourites amongst the wires themselves - each different to you.

However, I have improved the F Wire.
But it doesn't get away from the problems that the gap between the F levers and the curtain varies slightly between locks and also wear.

regards
Chris B

[lockey1963]

1st impressions as with the pocket pick when i 1st used it, and the MG felt on the door, it felt delicate.

maybe just me, but i get far more feel from the original tools and far better feedback too, especially on the new legge and the fortress.

I will still play with the MG and have used it in the field many times, but do still prefer the feedback on the original tools, as you know i come across many legge and fortress locks in my work so may be biased towards these locks.

do me one favour though chris, dont make any new curtain picks as not much more room in my toolbox for these !

i got a couple of new F wires from lee this week and will be putting them through paces this week, as always im expecting good results.

[Chris B]

Thank you for your reply.

The next curtain pick that I make will be fully automatic.
But you will have to carry a battery in a back pack plus a cooling water supply.

regards Chris B

[lockey1963]

lol best start saving then

[taylorgdl]

My "flexing wires" comment was an attempt to describe the pick (although, as Chris B mentioned, too much tension and they will flex).

Just thought I'd also clarify.

[greyman]

Sorry if this is obvious, but does the CB curtain pick work on Chubb 3g114 or for that matter 3g110? I've been hovering around for a while thinking about buying a curtain pick that would work on a number of different curtained locks because I don't want to have to buy multiple picks, given the price. One further thing - where's the best place to buy one (can it be got from Devon tools?).

Thanks for any help in advance

greyman

[lockey1963]

With practice and skill , yes the cb pick opens chubb 3G114 and 110 locks, but really takes some practice for 110.

You can only buy the cb picks from duffells or from chris b website and he will only sell to verified trading locksmiths, which makes him unique in this game these days, so no you wont find it at UKBK or devon locks, just M E Duffells.