Easy Plug Spinner - small, too

[GWiens2001]

Just a quick post on some plug spinners I made a while back. Finally took pics so I could post them. Easy to make. Used mousetrap springs, wiper inserts, and aluminum tubing. Got the tubing from Lowe's (a hardware store) in the hobby drawers, not with the metal stock. Ace Hardware carries it, too. 5/32" is the specific size I used. And small mouse traps, not rat traps.
First made this one:

Worked great for deadbolts and flush cylinder padlocks, but not for recessed keyways, so made a second one with the tension wrench just a little longer.

Quarter for scale.

Bent the spring ends a bit to allow them to friction fit/grab inside the aluminum tubing. The tension wrench part is just a wiper insert bent at 90 degrees and fed through the middle of the spring. Trimmed it to the same length as the spring arm. It feeds all the way through the spring and into the tubing with the rearmost spring, just in case the picture is not clear enough.

If you have not used plug spinners before, I find they work best at center of plug, rather than edge of plug.

Good Luck,

Gordon

[Solomon]

Very cool! I have a much lower tech version I keep in my pick case comprising of a homebrew Z-wrench and a rubber band. Surprisingly effective, and it didn't cost a penny to make. Very small too, so it fits snugly in the case without bulking it out. There's a certain technique to using it with regards to band placement so it takes some trial and error to get the feel for it initially, but after that it's very efficient. Haven't had much luck spinning locks with tight springs like ASSA with it, but my ICL spinner won't do those either. A heavier band would do the trick I reckon. I'd like to try making one like yours one of these days, I like the look of them.

[GWiens2001]

@Solomon

Maybe I should send you the first plug spinner I made to try out on those locks. Made it from a drum brake spring. It ain't pretty, but it works and is very strong. If you want to try it out, PM me.

Gordon

[atticRR]

those are sweet! i like the simplicity of yours, zeepia made a nice simple one as well. i love the basic stuff.

[zeepia]

Nice tools and they sure fit your toolbag!

Mine is a way bigger but fortunately I don´t have to carry it around. I just had enough for snapping my fingers...