Which Auto Lock-out Set?

[Tyler J. Thomas]

globallockytoo, Is That what most experienced locksmiths feel as well?, No other responses makes me think you're right, "1 tool does it all?".
Or has this been asked so many times?

Most experienced locksmiths scoff at the idea of any "professional locksmith" using a long reach tool but, given that one of the industry's most respected members (Steve Young) invented it, who cares? If it works for you and you're able to get in quick and with no damage to the vehicle, stick with it.

If anyone gives you grief for it, they're just mad they didn't have a tool like that when they were learning to open cars.

When I was opening cars, I used 4 tools: slim jim (for Ford vans/trucks), a basic under the window tool (for Honda, Acura, and a few other makes), an S tool (which snags vertical linkage rods), and a long reach tool. I must have opened hundreds of cars with those 4 tools alone and never came across one that stumped me.

Sadly, I'm in an institutional setting these days and I never get an opportunity to open cars. Sure is fun though.

Good luck.

The definition of a professional locksmith differs in different countries. In the USA, I dont consider most locksmiths "professionals" rather "hacks".

A true professional will consider using the best tools that make the job fastest and easiest with the least possibility of damage. In the case of car openings, this is the lrt and air wedges.

I also use air wedges and long reach tools to unlock motorised garage doors. Beats drilling or destructive entry to the door lock any day and most people leave the door between the garage and the house unlocked anyhow.

Don't shoot the messenger; just relaying the opinions I've read on locksmith forums regarding the tools.

[compromizer]

Check out http://www.hightechtools.com/catalog.ph ... ductid=146
Their long reach tools are great. I have been using the long reach tool that Steve Young made however the high tech version is rubber coated and a lot stronger. I like it better since I don't have to worry about scratching paint on cars. Also they have a button puller as well which is a must have. A slim jim is good to have on fords and those tools get me into most any car that I get calls for.

[inquisitor35]

I use air wedges and reach tools almost exclusively. Many modern door locks are made in such a way that the linkage rods slide free of the lock body when too much upward pressure is used and are often angled so that much of the horizontal force used change to upward force so slim jims are pretty well out in my opinion.

How are you using the air wedge and reach tools on garage doors? Just jacking it up and using the tool to manipulate the locking device? I hadn't thought of that use for them before.

[stratmando]

"so slim jims are pretty well out in my opinion."

I don't think they are useless, They work on some vehicles where other tools don't?

[Tyler J. Thomas]

"so slim jims are pretty well out in my opinion."

I don't think they are useless, They work on some vehicles where other tools don't?

Yeah, a lot of Ford trucks - specifically the F Series, the E Series van, and Rangers. They all use vertical rods. I modified a slim jim specifically for these range of vehicles because they're just so easy to open with slim jims.

I've owned 2 Ford Rangers and rather than hiding a key, I made a mounting bracket on the inside of the frame and hung a slim jim in case I ever locked my keys in my car. I keep a set of car opening tools in my truck toolbox as well, but the key to the box is on the same key ring as my car.

[lock-ed]

I do not have much experience on American cars, but from what I have, the tools described have done the job very well.

However, on 2000+ models in Europe, many cars will not open this way. I have therefore turned my attention to the keyhole, and picking the lock. Mr Li at Lishi-tools has made a whole range of tools for modern cars. From simple picks, through decoders to the ultimate 2-1 pick and decoder. I have tried many of them, and find them very good. However, for a complete set of picks, you are looking at approx $500. For the complete pick-decode approx $1500.

But there is one tool I appreciate above all. It is cheap, and opens cars ridiculosely fast. Sometimes in five seconds, most often in less than two minutes, and I have yet to experience not opening the lock. It works(at least in europe) on VW, AUDI, Porsche, SEAT, SKODA which have HU66-lock installed. There are some fakes on the market that do not do the job properly, but I can recommend this one http://www.apollo-auto.com/locksmith-to ... da-seat-po (should cost you less than $20)
Goso have a very similar tool for BMW/Peugot. Although I have used it to open cars, it is nowhere near as good as the HU66 one.

If you are looking at decoding the locks, I will probably test more tools in my thread in automotive forum "Lishi- fake or not".

Good luck,
Ed

[ALLS London]

I bought an LRT with some hard wedges and a small set with 2 slim-jims and a couple of other pieces- these have opened all the cars I've come across (although most of the lockout work goes to tow-trucks in this area). I've never had a call for anything more complicated, so why clutter up with extra stuff in an already crowded van?

[stratmando]

[quote="ALLS London"]I bought an LRT with some hard wedges and a small set with 2 slim-jims and a couple of other pieces- these have opened all the cars I've come across (although most of the lockout work goes to tow-trucks in this area). I've never had a call for anything more complicated, so why clutter up with extra stuff in an already crowded van?[/quote]


I believe "It is better to have it and not need it, that to need it and not have it"?

[Pahaseta]

I do not have much experience on American cars, but from what I have, the tools described have done the job very well.

However, on 2000+ models in Europe, many cars will not open this way. I have therefore turned my attention to the keyhole, and picking the lock. Mr Li at Lishi-tools has made a whole range of tools for modern cars. From simple picks, through decoders to the ultimate 2-1 pick and decoder. I have tried many of them, and find them very good. However, for a complete set of picks, you are looking at approx $500. For the complete pick-decode approx $1500.

But there is one tool I appreciate above all. It is cheap, and opens cars ridiculosely fast. Sometimes in five seconds, most often in less than two minutes, and I have yet to experience not opening the lock. It works(at least in europe) on VW, AUDI, Porsche, SEAT, SKODA which have HU66-lock installed. There are some fakes on the market that do not do the job properly, but I can recommend this one http://www.apollo-auto.com/locksmith-to ... da-seat-po (should cost you less than $20)
Goso have a very similar tool for BMW/Peugot. Although I have used it to open cars, it is nowhere near as good as the HU66 one.

If you are looking at decoding the locks, I will probably test more tools in my thread in automotive forum "Lishi- fake or not".

Good luck,
Ed

My thoughts exactly, quite the same cars in Finland. Many of them require picking the lock. And also for the cars that have broken locks which won´t open with the key nor lockpicks, I use a long reach tool if the keys are reachable.

Started with the Little joe set my self, few of the tips still in use.

[camelgd]

Guys,
Am I out in left field? I pick 90% of the Big Three American-since 95 even Gm started shedding the side bar door lock and is pickable. For the Americans that I don't pick, and foreign, I buy individual tools from all sources mentioned so far, and I take the time to make my own out of high quality spring steel. I have two long reach tools that i made myself, both are 102 inch spring steel CB antennas fashioned to my own peculiar tastes. Total purchase price- $ 1.00 from a yard sale.
I am a product of the guy who trained me-he picked every car that could be picked, and taught me to do the same. I'm starting to get that old fogie feeling again....!
Al camelgd

[Nismo-san]

i have a the 300 dollar set of high tech tools....worth every penny. the zipper case holds everything plus additional manuals and tools. i use it at least a dozen times a week for any number of tasks.

[dls]

Wow i didnt realise auto stuff was alowed in the open forums

[tomcat]

Z-Tool Grand Master Auto Entry Kit

http://www.z-tool.com/

http://www.sopl.us/tools.html

[bjornnrojb]

The most attractive thing about some of these kits is the instruction manual. I never got instructed on what cars are susceptible to what tools like the through the handle tool etc. Therefore I just use a long reach tool for most jobs except for those where there is no metal frame around the window and the window is short, such as the late model Nissan Z cars. I opened one of these once but I was sweating bullets with the window bending out that far. Since then I got a long metal ruler with a bit of fishing wire and a hook on the end for these frameless short windows.

[sentientsentinel]

I've been looking at ACCESS lockout tools they seem to have alot of nice tools and they had a yearly updated manual they even list contacts that are nation wide motor clubs that call you for business.If you google ACCESS TOOLS manual pdf you can see one of there manuals its pretty comprehensive if any one knows a better lockout manufacturer please message me as I was thinking of doing lockouts this spring.Thanks all