New Tubular Tension Wrench (as far as I know)

[UnlockD]

So I made this today, had success with a cheap 6 pin bike lock. Sadly, the only other tubular lock I have isn`t "compatible" with this wrench.
The wrench turns the plug just shy of resetting the pins once it`s picked, so I think it would be ideal for impressioning.
Anyways, here are the pictures, sorry for the quality of the pictures, my camera battery is charging. If anyone cares, I`ll take better pictures later.

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j31/velerd/IMG_0967.jpg
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j31/velerd/IMG_0968.jpg
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j31/velerd/IMG_0969.jpg

Don`t hold back, any comments are appreciated.

[edit mh: changed post title as per author's request.]

[UnlockD]

Perhaps I should have worded the title a little better. New Tubular Tension wrench in the title.
It was late..

Anyways, I know there are more conventional ways of opening this type of lock, but I don`t wanna shell out $60 for a tubular lockpick, or any money for one of those multiple purpose picks. Making a tubular lockpick may be fun, but using it just does not appeal to me.
So, I wanted to make a wrench that didn`t constantly fly out of the plug.
I used a street cleaner bristle (wiper blades are too thin) folded over itself for the plug wrench and secured with heat-shrink tubing. I left a gap at the end of it for the tension tool. Said tool is a feeler gauge, also with a coating of the heat-shrink. The coating helps keep it snug in the end of the plug wrench.
The depth gauge is fairly flexible, and if you make one you can choose the flex.
As I said before I have success using it with the one lock it will fit, but sadly, cannot find any other tubular locks to purchase and test on.
I said "new" (I may be horribly wrong) because thus far in my internet travels I`ve yet to see anything like this (maybe because it`s terrible, I don`t know).

[UnlockD]

Close to 500 views, no feedback, Mods please just delete this post I suppose.

[MacGyver101]

I don't think the lack of comments was a lack of interest in your tool, or a lack of appreciation in your sharing it here.

I may just not be looking at it properly -- but, personally, I was having a bit of trouble figuring out how you were fitting it into the lock? (And, if I understand correctly, and it's sitting in the notch at the 12-o'clock position, what the advantage is over using a "regular" tension wrench?)

Anyhow... thanks for taking the time to share!

[DayZiro]

My thoughts exactly. Can you post an action shot so we know how you're using your new tool?

[UnlockD]

My experiences with regular tension wrenches were terrible, I found they slipped, and or overset the lock when it was successfully picked. With the end of the tension wrench being almost a perfect square, when it shifts due to picking it doesn't move enough to overset the lock. Which I thought may be usefull for impressioning.
My camera is currently being fixed as auto-focus is busted, but as soon as I get it back, I'll upload some more understandable/quality pictures.
Thanks for the input.

[DayZiro]

If I'm understanding your wrench correctly, it sits between the recess on the housing and the recess on the plug. If that is correct once you picked it the lock would turn and all the key pins would shift one pin stack over. When this happens the plug rotates so the recesses would no longer be lined up & the wrench couldn't be used to pic it further turns. A tubular torsion wrench that is becoming more common is just a tubular key with the walls thinned to allow a pick to slide in there. Kokomolock from the KeyPicking forum has a nice version: www.youtube.com/watch?v=dusPlYJaguk

Another way to do it is to file down the existing cuts on a tubular key: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0q0VQz-5LcE

[cledry]

This is why I just impression them open, cheap and you have a key that turns.

[DayZiro]

Well now I have to ask. Are tubular locks easy to impression? Where do you get your tubular blanks?

[cledry]

Well now I have to ask. Are tubular locks easy to impression? Where do you get your tubular blanks?

Yes, they are easy to impression for the most part, even the ones with dead pins. The double cut ones I wouldn't attempt but I rarely see those anymore.

I keep the blanks in stock, I'm a locksmith.

Just look for the standard 137 blank in brass. To impression I first check to see if the pins move and note any dead pins. The blank is prepared by grinding off the little tip and grinding down the brass where it attaches to the steel head. This is so the vise grips can grab the brass not the steel. If you have a machine such as the fort you can make a slight 1/2 cut in each of the seven positions, if not just eyeball the marks to get spacing, then I knife edge where I see marks and progress like normal impressioning of a pin tumbler. They usually mark well and fast.

[DayZiro]

Great, thank you. I have a box of ~50 tubular locks without keys and the (CLK Supplies) blanks are in the mail. Lets hope the locks are keyed alike!

[cledry]

Great, thank you. I have a box of ~50 tubular locks without keys and the (CLK Supplies) blanks are in the mail. Lets hope the locks are keyed alike!

It would be nice if they are, otherwise in most cases the time and blanks invested is more than the locks are worth. I can buy a tubular cam lock for $7 but a couple of blanks and my time is worth more than that.

[DayZiro]

Of course. I ordered a half dozen blanks for the occasion.