Improvised tensions wrench

[jamie79512]

I recently saw somebody use the small metal piece on the lid of a pen as a tension wrench. I have taken this piece off many times but never saw the potential. This seems very crude, but could be very effective, especially in desperate times. Would this work as well as commercial or selfmade tension wrenches? and are there any more improv wrench or pick ideas floating around out there?

[ToolyMcgee]

Funny you should ask Jamie as I am twisting up another feather light for myself. You wouldn't happen to be JC2 would you? Anyway, the pen cap clip, bobby pin, double bent safety pin, screwdriver, bent screwdriver, bent picture hook are all ok tensioners. Pen clip and bobby pin being the best. I have heard of people using everything from nail heads to straightened out key rings. If you want something better there are many ways to make them with wiper inserts and street sweeper bristle. Here are a couple of different wrenches...

and from a different angle HERE Sorry for the somewhat questionalbe picture quality.

These are all made from wiper inserts, the ones I happened to have in my pocket when I rolled in here, but they are variations on the rigid, twist, double twist, flat, loop, double loop, and top of the keyway kinds. They are only limited by the shapes you have use for. I carry the small loop on my keychain for basically everything. There are also step and tapered tension wrenches.

As far as original ideas for different kinds of DIY picks and wrenches maybe look around a little and use the search. I'm sure you will find there are many great ideas floating around.

-Tooly

[jamie79512]

Those are excellent wrenches. I would look into street sweeper bristles but I live in a tiny town thus there are no street sweepers. I will try and get ahold of some windshield wiper blades as well. The biggest problem i had the first time i tried picking locks is that the tension tools took too much space in the cylinder. This time around I want to be sure and be prepared for everything.

[jamie79512]

Sorry for the double posts, im used to being able to edit my posts. Idk what JC2 is tooly, a person maybe?

[ToolyMcgee]

Thank you. The stack is all uncut, and the rest are like I said all that I had in my pocket at the moment.

I live in a town with nylon SS brushes and I only found my first steel bristle yesterday.

If you are having trouble with a wrench that won't fit a keyway and you don't want to carry a whole fist full then try a tapered wrench. It is like a wrench when the end look like a right triangle instead of a rectangle. Except not all the way to a point. I'll burn one later when I roll out to the garage to post.

If you can't get materials steve0527 is selling wrenches in bulk and by size here
http://www.lockpicking101.com/viewtopic.php?t=39135
Pretty much dirt cheap and you don't have to bend them yourself.