Tension needed for tension wrenches..

[Sl8r]

In attempt at raking in the past, I've opened up locks, but it never felt reproducible, so I thought I'd start from the beginning. I bought a masterlock and thought I'd give SPP a try. After some luck and getting it unlocked, I still felt like I couldn't 100% reproduce my efforts, so I stepped back even further and bought a repinnable practice lock.

I started at 1 pin, obviously no problem and focused on the feeling of the binding of the pin. After a half hour, I put in a second pin..

Color me crazy, but I'm blown away by the lack of "tension" needed in a tension wrench. I've always thought you muscled through it and tension meant TENSION! Maybe it's the practice lock that I have, but just the sheer pressure of my index finger resting on the tension wrench was enough tension needed.

Is that the norm for most locks?

Anyway, I've got 3 pins in and as a beginner, I still grin when I can feel each pin sliding up and resting at the sheer line. I'm enjoying the process of closing my eyes and visualizing the insides of the lock as I bind the pins.

Good times.

[Legion303]

How much torque do you need to turn the cylinder (alone, before the tailpiece engages) with a key? That's how much you need on the wrench.

-steve

[Sl8r]

I read your response and wanted to smack my head into the wall.. It's a major "DUH!" Now that I think about it, OF COURSE, it's the same tension required to turn a key (generally not that much).

[atticRR]

thats really really great that you're actually visuallizing whats happening in there. that has helped me so much. it sounds like you understand the flaws that allow locks to be picked-which is the basis of EVERYTHING... Be patient with it and you will really start to feel at one with those locks, i love it! i'm new to this myself and i always feel so good when that lock opens!

I hope you stick around, it sounds to me like you have potential!

R

[Sl8r]

Oh, I plan on sticking around!

I tend to get fixated on things and jump into things head first. I can easily get overwhelmed with literature and mechanics of locks, but I'm holding back while focusing on technique.. It happens in all aspects of my life, so as long as I don't get fixated to the point where other areas are effected, I think I'm good to go..

I only have a single snake pick for the time being. I have a Sparrows kit coming in the mail. 3 pins aren't a problem.

I've moved on to 4 pins, but the snake is giving me issues with SPP. I'm getting the feeling that as I go in and set the farthest pin in, other pins are being falsely set due to the height of the pick I'm using. I'm hoping that with a proper hook pick, it'll allow me to set each pin without impacting any other pin besides the one I'm going after.

Any advice for the time being with a snake pick?

[atticRR]

im assuming this is the tool you're using right?


Ive got one of these, never used it ecept for picking a file cabinet wafer lock i have. It seems really difficult/impossible to SPP with one of these if you're working with more than a few pins. If you have a set coming in the mail and cant wait to SPP you could pretty easily make a short hook out of your snake. My 11 pc set came with one, maybe yours will as well. if thats the case you lose nothing! Personally my go-to pick is a homebrew hook i made that works great, its very narrow and its a bit bigger than a short hook, i love it!

[Sl8r]

Yep - close enough.. It's actually:



As you can see by the tool, it's not the best for SPP. 3 pins are consistent, but moving up to 4 is extremely difficult for me right now. I've opened it up once, but it was luck.. AND, I don't want to be lucky while opening locks..

My sparrows set should be arriving HOPEFULLY tomorrow.. Crossing fingers!

In the meantime, I'm just playing around with a 3 pin to regain confidence while bumping up to 4 pin every once in a while. I might throw in a single spool into a 2 pin setup just to get the feeling.

[Buzo]

Very impressive if you are able to spp with that rake! Great job on visualising the lock. That's how I pick exactly. If I'm having a hard time with a particular lock I close my eyes and "see" the pins inside, which is binding, which is set, which is still hanging up a bit and needs re-visiting... definetly work on using the hook when your set comes in, you will definetely get better feedback with a hook than a rake! Happy picking!