tension wrench in top or bottom of keyway?

[bigred18165]

i know it is all about preference, but i am just being curious

[toomush2drink]

it depends on the lock warding or technique used. for example if you place the tension wrench at the top and rake you will most likely pull the wrench out after a few rakes. Also where the lock is in relation to the door frame can influence the choice too.

PS good to see your spelling has improved your other posts where doing my head in

[reg]

as european locks have the pins standing on the springs (i.e. are upside down) top is bottom and vice versa to me.
But I agree with toomush, it depends ...
- on the size of the keyway
- on the size and positions of the wards
- on the picking technique I'm using
- on the shape of the tension tools at your disposal

[Romstar]

Obviously, the most common place to put the wrench is in the bottom of the keyway. As a matter of fact, the longer you pick the more wrenches you will accumulate. This allows you to select the wrench that fits the keyway in the best manner.

On the other hand, sometimes you will have a need to place the wrench in the top near the pins. Placing the wrench at the top isn't the greatest thing for raking as it will often be knocked out of the way by the raking action. For pin by pin picking however, it can be an excellent place to put the wrench.

Romstar

[WhiteHat]

I'm a wrench at the "top" man myself unless raking of course.

if you have a tr4 style wrench, it usually allows you to have it vertical or horizontal depending on any obstructions. i.e. if the door frame is on the left and you have to turn clockwise, put the wrench in vertically, if you have to turn anti-clockwise, put the other end in horizontaly....

I do prefer picking locks with the pins on the side closest to the ground though... somehow easier to hold the wrench (for me anyway)