Pro-lok Tubular Lock pick? Does anyone own one?

[dirtymoney]

I would like to know more about this tool.

https://www.pro-lok.com/pc-281-79-pka2-deluxe-tubular-ace-pick.aspx

Would LOVE to see it in action.

Anyone own one? How well does it work? Will it work on Ace II locks?

There is not much on the internet about it.

[zeepia]

Looks nice!

I haven´t seen that one before, that would be a possible diy project. At least at that price...

Maybe strong springs in top of each pin?

[MBI]

It's a commercially manufactured pick. It allows you to SPP and decode tubular locks. I believe there is a thread or two floating around the forum about them.

[Evan]

Looks nice!

I haven´t seen that one before, that would be a possible diy project. At least at that price...

Maybe strong springs in top of each pin?

@zeepia:

If you have the thousands of dollars worth of machining tools you would need to make your own tubular lock pick at home and access to the right supplier to obtain the various types of metal stock you would need to build one then all the power to you...

But why balk at a $273 price tag if you don't...

It is the same theory behind a DIY guy thinking he can build his own kitchen cabinets for cheaper than they are sold in the home centers or custom cabinetry shops... Cheaper perhaps, but there is a learning curve as far as technique and craftsmanship and then there are all the tools and things you need to actually do the project...

~~ Evan

[Josh66]

Do the thumb screws actually move the picks in and out - or are they just to lock them in place once you've set them where you want them?

It looks like they just locks the picks down ... if so, how do you adjust them?

[2octops]

The screws just lock them down.

[zeepia]

@Evan:

I know that sometime it´s recommendable to do your own tools and sometime it isn´t but then I do them anyway

I have never even held a tubular tool in my hands and I don´t necessarily need one but if there will be some spare time in future then this is something to study at.

This specific tool looks very interesting in design, other tools have very slim pins and this one has bigger pins which are only flattened from one side. That makes manufacturing much easier with my limited tools. I also like that there is no specific collar in that tool but pins do the job.
I have looked at other threads about tubular picks and this looks so far the best option available for succesful DIY.

Lauren has tought me with that outstanding thread about barrel keys that you don´t need shiny machines to do miracles...

It is always a great feeling when your DIY works.

[gnarus8429]

This design for a tubular pick is great because once you have the lock picked you can very reliably "lock in" the impression of the key you have decoded. This is very useful for decoding the lock or going back to a lock on numerous occasions. I have a HPC tubular lock with variable tension that can do almost the same thing and love it. I have never used one of these but, would love to hear from someone who has. It seems to be a great design.

[LockDocWa]

I own this pick.
You can use it two ways
Standard way is to extend all the fingers and have the pins push the fingers back.
The best way to use this pick is to SPP.
Start with all the fingers in the fully retracted position.
Push each finger individually.
You can hear and feel the pins click in place. Once they set themselves,
you use the screw to lock that finger in place then move to another finger.

ACEII locks can be picked with this,
however I normally end up drilling ACEII and replacing them.
It's just too time consuming and customers want fast service.

[glenaw]

Used it in the shop I worked in for 16 years. It's the best tubular Lock pick I have ever used. A little pricy but well worth it!!