Newbie Q- What's a torque wrench?

by **csisfun** » 11 Jul 2004 4:04

Hello,

Please forgive me if I'm asking one of the most common questions :oops:

. I've read the MIT guide and other guides, but I'm not really clear on what the torque wrench does and how it works.

AFAIK, it holds the 'clicked' pins in position. One of the guides that I read suggests I use a screwdriver bent to 45 degrees. I put it in the upper "hole" of a tumbler lock. After one of the pins get into postion, I turn the torque wrench. Doesn't seem to work

...

Besides a screwdriver, what else can be made into a torque wrench?

I'm very new to this and have failed many times, but just keep trying eh :wink:

?

Thx

by **archiebald** » 11 Jul 2004 5:07

Try doing a search that will help.

by **plot** » 11 Jul 2004 5:24

well... picking a lock takes 3 things... there's a pick... a torque wrench... and lots of patience.

read the section on theory in the MIT guide again and again until you see how picking the lock works, then you'll see why the torque wrench is needed. without the torque wrench, the pins wouldn't "bind", and you'd never know which pin to set... and therefore, it would be practically impossible to pick the lock. the torque wrench puts pressure on the plug causing one pin at a time to bind... go read in the MIT guide again and look for the terms "pressure" and "bind", thats what a torque wrench does.

by **csisfun** » 11 Jul 2004 7:03

OK, I guess it's all in the friction.

Anyway, I've been using saftey pins as my lockpicks, but I don't really know how to bend them... any ideas?

by **csisfun** » 11 Jul 2004 7:04

At what angle? How far away before I start bending? etc...

by **AlterEgo** » 11 Jul 2004 13:32

I generally use street cleaner bristles to make my torque wrenches. I get a piece of bristle and use pliers to bend it at a 90 degree angle maybe half an inch from one end.

by **csisfun** » 11 Jul 2004 17:42

Mmmmm.... great idea. I see why it is so difficult to bind the lock... just need that bend!!!

Anyway, any ideas on how to make a pick out of a safety pin

by **Guitar_J** » 11 Jul 2004 17:50

you can probably get something to work with a safety pin if you bend about 1/4" of the tip up to about a 45 degree angle. Hair Pins work decently, I used one for my first pick, I cut a long one in half and bent 1/4" up to about a 45 degree angle and then made a small loop on the opposite end to give me something more to hold on to... However you'll probably not get too far with picks such as these, if you have access to a Grinder or a Dremel type tool, I would suggest watching Pyro's video and making some, they're not too difficult and they're fairly effective, after that, if you're not satisfied with your craftsmanship, you can buy a small set for abour 15 bucks... He also covers tension wrenches on the video, so make sure to watch even if you're not going to make your own, it's a very informative video.

by **csisfun** » 12 Jul 2004 5:43

Sounds good. Thanks.

I have this real puny lock, and I'm practising on it. I can't open it...

Should I try a bigger lock? What size do u recommend?

Thx,
UZ :wink:

by **Guitar_J** » 12 Jul 2004 7:59

depends on the lock
Try to get your hands on a Masterlock No. 3 or some Kwikset deadbolt cylinders, I picked up 2 kwiksets at wal-mart for $6. With the kwikset locks, you can remove pins to make it easier, you can start with one pin and set it like 60 times, until you learn what it feels like in your wrench and pick when you set a pin, then add another pin, and continue the process until you're up to all 5 pins, you can add them in different orders to increase the difficulty of picking, ex. you can have a short pin between two long pins, makes for some more difficulty. Also, Varjeal is going to have some Pin packages for sale soon for folks who would like to have some more pins to practice with, and he will be including security pins. (you can use the pins in this package with kwikset cylinders) I'd get my hands on one of those (or his U-Lock package) should be really good to help a newbie learn the skill.

by **csisfun** » 12 Jul 2004 9:56

Wow! Cool! I finally broke a 3 pin lock today!!!

Weird, I can hear all the clicks and all, but it seems all I do is to just keep messing with the pins until it opens. I don't really get into the "precision" lock picking. :cry:

And the paper clips always bend so easily!!! :twisted:

Anyway, great start, thanx man. Will try more next time.

Newbie Q- What's a torque wrench?

Newbie Q- What's a torque wrench?

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