Improvised tension wrench for small locks.

[Panoply]

Forgive me if this is something you all already know or have a better solution for.

Begin with a hemostat. File the grooves away and file towards the handle, trying to get a 90 degree angle. The idea is to get a narrow, flat rectangular edge perpindicular to the hemostat's handle. This can be opened and each edge inserted into the top and bottom of the lock. To secure it in the 'open' position you need, use your imagination. I used a wine bottle's cork, cut to size wih shallow, tapered grooves. I wedged it in between the two handles to hold it at the width I needed. I then used twine to tie tightly the two finger openings. I recognize this is crude, but being a beginner it was what I came up with.
The idea? It alows much more room with which to work inside the lock.
Please forgive me if this info is redundant to a better way you all know of, I just thought I'd contribute what I've come up with.

Be Well.

[nsquidc]

Can you post an image of what you made? I'm intrigued.

[Panoply]

My hemostat tension tool (finally glad i could arouse someone's instrest, y'all have been very helpful):

[DayZiro]

My hemostat tension tool (finally glad i could arouse someone's instrest, y'all have been very helpful):

(No pic)

[Panoply]

[img][IMG]http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/2858/dsc00742ms.th.jpg[/img]

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[img][img=http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/2858/dsc00742ms.th.jpg]
[img=http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/6981/dsc00741pq.th.jpg]
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[Panoply]

Well, there are a bunch of pics. Too many to post. Attempt #1, which I couldn't get to load, was done using file work alone and suffered metal fatigue after approximately half a dozen uses. This one worked better, as stated. If anyone cares to see the dozen plus photos of the tool, get in touch.
I have found, however, that there is a tool already for this (a wishbone tension tool), but mine can be made very cheaply.
Apologies for lack of technical (computer) expertise. BIG thanks to Mr. Scruff for turning me on to posting images in these forum boxes.

Be Well.

Jeremy

[Panoply]

Finally.
[img][IMG]http://img807.imageshack.us/img807/232/dsc00744n.jpg[/img]
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[Peter Martin]

The difficulty in picking small locks is they require correspondingly smaller tools. In picking the Master No.7 padlock -- which is their smallest 4-pin tumber padlock, I also discovered that I had to make my own tools.

I also prefer not to buy my tools anymore.

I made my simple tension which fits into the bottom of the lock from a large hair pin. It was a bobby pin that was flat (not wavy) on the bottom. It's exactly the proper height and width to fit into the bottom of the No. 7 keyway.

First, I just straightened it in a vise. Then adding a little heat from a propane torch made the twist and the bend using pliers. I let it cool, then removed all the ugly copper coloring until it was silver. The cut the ends to the proper length. Finally, I colored them black (must be cool and covert, huh?) using gun blue.

I also quickly (OK, it look nearly 45 min) made a smaller half-diamond pick--which didn't have to be thinner, just with a reduced height and shank.