Automotive tools

[Guitar_J]

Does anyone know of perhaps some template type materials and the proper type of metal rods that I could use to bend my own auto opening tools?

I don't want to use coat hangers either! I'd like to start practicing on my automotive opening skills (as of now... I have none except what I've learned in my F-B course)

[Chucklz]

I don't have a template, but Home Depot has a rack of various metal rods, some steel round rod, is probably the best candidate I can come up with.

[Guitar_J]

yea... I was thinking a thin steel rod.. but I don't know which.. either way.. I need a resource for the templates...

I was just thinking it would be nice to keep some rods on hand and the templates, so that if one had to do a lockout on a vehicle without the proper tool, it could be bent on site. Though, I guess an airbag and an across the car type tool would be the *almost* universal answer... but I worry about breaking the glass too easily with an airbag... or any other wedge for that matter...

[Exodus5000]

I know most locksmiths don't even mess with the car doors lock through picking and use slims and the like, but out of curiosity with a set like this:
http://lockpicks.com/index.asp?PageActi ... &ProdID=74
could a smith open more or less 90% of the commercial cars out there? I guess what i'm asking is how effective is that pick set.

[Guitar_J]

I wonder things like that myself...

(I think)my F-B course said that Picking a GM lock is practically useless due to the side bar and all the wafers having to be in the right spot at the same time in order to disengage the sidebar and allow the lock to turn, therefore, tension from the outside is useless, so how could these work?

to me, these look like cuts that are perhaps similar to those commonly found on keys... but I may be wrong... Also notice that it doesn't mention that these picks can open a GM vehicle...

Do other manufactures use Sidebars...?

perhaps this is starting to get into advanced forum talk?

[Exodus5000]

Which is also why im trying to learn as much as i can so i can get in on the advanced forum talks.

[plot]

I know most locksmiths don't even mess with the car doors lock through picking and use slims and the like, but out of curiosity with a set like this:
http://lockpicks.com/index.asp?PageActi ... &ProdID=74
could a smith open more or less 90% of the commercial cars out there? I guess what i'm asking is how effective is that pick set.

90%? i doubt it. and they would be pretty ineffective against any newer car lock you come across (as in, the past few years)...

and yea, it probably is getting into the advanced forum topics... that's the main reason the advanced forum was made really, as opening up cars is "taboo" for the normal forum. not something the public eye should be seeing at all..

[CaptHook]

You can get lucky on a gm sidebar, the rocker picks try to duplicate the key cuts exactly by rocking the pick up and down (and using the different picks in the set) But its still a crapshoot.
Chuck

{edited by Varjeal: Let's keep advanced info in the advanced forum everyone. }

[Cameron Flint]

But what about the templates?
I checked out a couple of books that had the following tool outlined. I'd like to try it; they said it could open 90% of cars.... yeah right?

{edited by Varjeal: read above edit note}

[hung82000]

I work part time for a friend who owns a tow company. With the speciality of the tools we have to open cars, I would spend the money and buy a set if you're really interested in opening cars as a business.