Ideal Creations tubular pick

[CptedIV]

Just wondering, I couldn't find anything about it here by searching... Will the Ideal Creations tubular pick work for any type of circular looking lock? Like on vending machines, display cases, bicycle locks... etc etc?

http://www.idealcreations.net/ls03.htm

I'm confused about how these locks work, and also is an Ace lock the same as a tubular??

I see ace lock picks on sale for up to 200 bucks, then this one just calls it a tubular and is much cheaper. It really just looks like a tension wrench..

Also, has anyone ordered anything from Ideal Creations? I like the site, they have some decent looking stuff, thanks!

Ed

[Lauren]

Why don't you buy it and try it. Practice makes perfect. It's a cheap pick, so start with cheap locks.

[Jaakko]

That is not a pick, it is a tensioning tool.

[Lauren]

Quite right... you do need to poke the pins down.

[CptedIV]

I see that it is just a tensioner, but I'm really wondering what the difference between this and the big handled "ace" picks is? Ave and tubulars the same thing, isn't it?

[Squelchtone]

I see that it is just a tensioner, but I'm really wondering what the difference between this and the big handled "ace" picks is? Ave and tubulars the same thing, isn't it?

the big handled tubular picks are much faster and can "lock in" the combination once you pick/impression the lock, then you can use a depth gauge that is usually included to decode what the cuts are on the tubular key and make more keys from the depths you read on the 7 or 8 fingers that are at the working end of the large handles tubular pick. This tensioner is just a poor man's tool that opens these locks, but that's all it does. And the guy in the video makes it look much easier than it usually is. As with all tools and picks, practice is required and not all locks will open as easily as others. Ace and Ace II locks are just a brand name of tubular lock.

Squelchtone

[CptedIV]

Ohh, ok I see. Thanks for the explanation, I'll probably hold off on something like that till I learn pin and tumbler picking better. Thanks,
Ed

[lancoff]

I bought one of these sets from Ideal Creations a long time ago when I was first starting out in lock picking (pause for laughter). I can tell you for sure that this product is not worth the shipping the company charges let alone the price they want for the set. You could more easily make the tension tool yourself. You would be better off saving for the more expensive ace picks than purchasing this companies goods. They are more reliable, and as stated in a prior post they allow you to use the decoder to cut a key if necessary. Not to mention they are a heck of a lot faster than picking with the tension tool provided in this companies set. Hope this helps.

[FarmerFreak]

I agree that they charge too much for this.

I've seen templates for this before and didn't know what it was for. But now that I know. I made one this morning, and I am very pleased with the picking results. Very easy to pick with this tension.

And unless you are in the business of making keys, and you have to deal with a lot of tubular keys. I personally would hold off on the expensive picks. There are ways of decoding and making keys for these without the fancy picks. Just a little ingenuity.

[ElbowMacaroni]

I just perused their site, and the picks look like junk... if you buy them be prepared for LOTS of sanding!
Might get better picks at dealextreme, not that I'm recommending that, just sayin'... Perhaps checkout http://www.lockpickshop.com/ for better quality tools.

-EM

[nostromo]

If you have a set of small allen wrenches, try using one of them to see of you'll want to buy a special tool. Jam the short leg of the allen wrench into the cut out of the cylinder plug and use it to apply ~very~light~ clockwise rotational pressure while you gently probe the pin stacks. Using a clipped off bobby pin or stiff wire as a probe, push lightly on each pin stack until you find one that will bind at the shear point, and keep going until you get them all lined up at the shear point.

Repeat however many times needed until you rotate the plug enough to open the lock.

You'll probably end up deciding that such a method is a novelty and not worth the hassle if you have to / want to open tubular locks with any regularity. I'd recommend saving up and shopping around for a good quality tubular pick. Southern Specialties has my vote for quality and customer service.