Any suggestions on a good car opening kit

[TN Hillbilly]

The 2% would be frameless windows that index (ie; roll up further when then door shuts) high security (deadlocking) vehicles, the newer vehicles using laminated rather than safety glass in the doors, and vehicles with relockers.

[Raelic]

I did some more research and went with the High tect tools pro kit. And your absolutely right about the manual being user friendly. I have had the kit for about 14 hours and all ready have opened all my relatives cars in a 1 hour radius. Great practice the Camarra 4 98 porche took under 4 minutes to open. Was surprised I had a little more problem opening up a 2008 toyota tundra pick up. But managed to in about 20 minutes or so.

In about a year when all my finances will come togther (crosses fingers) I plan to start up a small locksmithing business mostly doing Residential lock repair and auto lockouts.

Thanks again for the Advice I have yet to be lead wrong by the members of lp 101



-Raelic

[Eyes_Only]

Lockpicker69 you are not supposed to use an airbag tool on a car with frameless windows. In the U.S. alot of the little sports type cars don't have a frame that surrounds the window. The airbag can break them easily.

Thats what I hear a lot but I haven't had a frameless window bust on me yet. I think the main problem with the air wedge on these types of glass is the operator just pumps it up way too much. I inflate it enough only to get the long reach tool in and no more than that. But I probably should keep this in mind just in case. I hear Chrysler uses those laminated glass a lot.

This is also where the Jiffy Jack kit really helps out cos their long reach tool is a much thinner tool than most other tool makers. Their two piece jack tool is great too.

That brings up another point. Those one handed pry bar tools, I don't use them anymore. Reason being is that a lot of newer vehicles have their pillars where fulcrum action is placed on is made of much weaker (or cheaper) material and will bend leaving a nice dent mark on the car. Opened a few cars with this kind of damage because a tow truck operator had open the car on a previous lockout call. The Jiffy Jack tool uses a base plate the spread out the force so it wont cause that kind of damage.

High Tech has a similar tool but theirs is made of aluminum and kinda digs into the vehicle paint job.

[prag]

prag wrote:


Can anybody tell my what the gadget is on the left side of the picture is use for. We use the airwedge and what a great tool it is.
But the other gadget is a bit puzzling.

It's called a one hand door jack. It's used for leverage to crete a small space to slide the air wedge in the door. It's easier than trying to slide the wedge in between the door and the frame

Thanx freakparade3 for your speedy answer. We don't get something like this is S Africa. Looks easy to make. Thank you for your input.

[Engineer]

Oh, so that's what it's called!

I made my own from the orange plastic twist-off bit you get on the end of new Canon ink cartridges. I was told it was just to make a little gap to get the air wedge in without damaging any paintwork, trust the expertise on this group to fill me in on the real use of it!

[Aleman]

I also just purchsed the Pro kit from High Tech. Ive had good luck opening the few cars that I tried but a 06 Tundra, had problems, including getting the tool stuck in the door. I had to remove the door panel to get the tool out. My real question is, on most entrys, the kit has many different tools that manuver inside the door. Seems like a air wedge and long reach tool would be much easier on most vehicles with no chance on getting the tool stuck in the door. Is it that easy to break the glass with a air wedge? Is getting the tool stuck in the door like I did common or did I hit it just right?

Thanks

[lockpicker69]

has anybody got a picture of an up and over tool? its in the souber tools catalouge but no pic with it .

[dougfarre]

The best car opening kit is a jiffy jack.
Aka -> a metal pole and an air wedge.

[freakparade3]

Aleman the answer is simply that most locksmiths use an airwedge as a last resort because it does not look as professional.

Airbags are great for tow truck drivers but locksmiths like to use in the door tools, that is what people expect when they call a locksmith. There is also less chance of damage with in the door tools,

[mongo]

Aleman the answer is simply that most locksmiths use an airwedge as a last resort because it does not look as professional.

Airbags are great for tow truck drivers but locksmiths like to use in the door tools, that is what people expect when they call a locksmith. There is also less chance of damage with in the door tools,

I gotta jump in here.

I understand what appearances can mean and that customers might actually want to see a magic wand, but, are you saying that the lockie is going to pick the lock after he checks all the doors. I see where time and experience could make that wedge and reach that more appealing at 0230 hrs. Where does time and a show for the client change the $35 lock-out fee? just asking, I have zero knowledge on client expectations at this point

[freakparade3]

If you find a locksmith to unlock your car for $35 keep that number handy. It's a matter of training and being a professional. Anyone can use an airbag, it takes training to use in the door tools.

[mongo]

you missed my point,

my question is "is it an expectation of the client to see the lockie actually use the picks' other than a window jack and a reaching tool or other means. Does he expect to see you pull the proverbial rabbit out? or just open it and move on?

The 35 bucks was number, cost??? no idea, wait out.

[freakparade3]

I don't know how else to explain it other than a customer sees someone pull out their door frame with and stick a tool in through the crack and realize they could have done that.

By using in the door tools it shows skill and is something your average person who has never used one before could not easily accomplish.

It all comes down to image and looking professional. I could open cars with a coat hanger but I'm betting if I did customers would pitch a fit when they got my bill. Presenting yourself as a professional with professional tools will in most cases make customers happy and not complain about the charge. They feel they got their money's worth.

[mongo]

I meant no disrespect, my training is not in locks. I totaly agrre with your reasoning. I personally have never needed a locksmith for a lock-out.
I was only wondering.
thank you.

[freakparade3]

I meant no disrespect

I know, no worries.