Tension Wrench Question

[LearningTheArt]

Hi, I am very knew to this site, but have made lock picks, snap picks and a medley of other tools, but my only problem that I have is with the many tension wrenches I have made. I have acquired many street cleaner bristles and have shaped them into the proper tension wrench shape, but the tips of them keep twisting. So what I am asking is, is there any way to stop this either by altering the shape of the metal or strengthening it some how.
Thanks in advance.

[Olson Burry]

You could try tempering them. It will take a bit of trial and error because tempering can also make the metal brittle.

If you've access to a blow torch, heat up the bend till it glows red, remove the heat and wait a few seconds before dunking it in cold water.

You could also use a gas stove, or put it in the oven at around 250C for 20mins or so then take it out and dunk it quickly. (i think)

You may be able to find better advice with a search of the site but it's a start.

[LearningTheArt]

Yeah I tried that they just kept breaking, which we all know is not good.
I guess I'll just keep trying the temper until I get it right. Thanks for the help.

[Olson Burry]

It may be that its just the wrong kind of material to temper properly.

Experience tells me the further you let it cool before dunking, the less brittle so you could try that.

Experimentation

[ToolyMcgee]

Unless your material is a good deal thinner than normal, or the bristles are really worn down to the nub then I think maybe you just have a lead hand. Try not white knuckling the wrench maybe.

It could be your problem is heating the bristles up in the first place. Just slow bend with no heat rather than trying to return the temper to the steel, just never remove it in the first place.

-Tooly

[Trip Doctor]

Exactly how much and how often are they twisting? If this happens often to a large degree, perhaps you are applying too much tension to the lock.

[LearningTheArt]

I don't believe I'm heavy handed, but then again I might be. I am going to go with the cool down then temper technique I'll update you guys when I'm done.

[LearningTheArt]

Success, let it glow red hot, waited till the glow was gone, then quenched it. Thanks for the advice everyone.

[Raymond]

I bend all of my street sweeper and windshield wiper bristles cold and without heat. This way they maintain all of their original temper. And I still bend them often while picking and just have to straighten them out. Too often I pick a knob open and have to hold it turned with the turning tool to push in the retainer to remove the knob. I don't have time, or extra hands, to move anything else to the keyway to turn the plug.

If you are bending them while picking, then back off on the pressure just to the point that you don't bend them. Only you can judge this. The technique can only be perfected by practice and trial and error.

Happy picking.

[Afisch]

Can't help but think your overtensioning if your bending your wrenches, it will make picking alot harder.

[savs2k]

I would think lighter tension as well.

[TheSnakey]

hmmm i'd try not putting too much tension on it like a few people have said im using untempered wiper blade back as a tension wrench and it hasn't bent