How to stop a tension tool slipping!

[WillMclennan]

In the past iv found tensioning to be a nightmare.. when the tension slips and all of the pins reset its just so annoying! i dont like using HUGE tension tools and i cant seem to master TOK. This has probably been thaught of before... I thaught that if i added some shrink tubing, it would make it more grippy! it worked!:) of course, the feedback is effected but maybe somone can think of something that is not as shock absorbing as rubber but still has that "grippy" property.

Here is my modified tension tool

http://s1145.photobucket.com/user/willm ... a.jpg.html

Here is it inside a euro cylinder where there is still enough room to maneuver a pick. i managed to pick it in 10 seconds with the shrink tubing so although some feedback is cushioned, its still very useable

http://s1145.photobucket.com/user/willm ... e.jpg.html

[mikus]

Ive had the same problem, your tension wrench should be wider (3mm should be good), if you dont have access to the wider material you can try making the tip (the part you insert into the lock) a lot longer and add some serrations on the sides, alot of them (use cutters for that). You can also youse tension wrench that is located on the top of the keyway (i guess serrations on that is a must otherwise it will slide right off)

[mikus]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WibjihWAleE
Here he explains how to make different types of tension wrenches.
Hope that helps

[kmh]

I have colored heatshrink on mine but its so I can quickly find the tension wrench that I need out of the 30 custom ones I have. Never had the need to put it on the tip before. I say if it works go with it. When mine slips I just get a different one or make a new one. I have various size wiper blade inserts and music wire that I keep with me just in case.

As for top of the keyway goes, check out this video. It helped me with making some good wrenches.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQh0-4TOXGE

[WillMclennan]

I have colored heatshrink on mine but its so I can quickly find the tension wrench that I need out of the 30 custom ones I have. Never had the need to put it on the tip before. I say if it works go with it. When mine slips I just get a different one or make a new one. I have various size wiper blade inserts and music wire that I keep with me just in case.

As for top of the keyway goes, check out this video. It helped me with making some good wrenches.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQh0-4TOXGE

Super! made one of these tok tools now out of a bbq skewer and a hand file, its still very slippy but its the first successful tok tensioning iv done:) thanks!

[ckc123]

I have found that a good way is to get some skateboard tape (0.5 mm) and cut a small thin strip..

stick it to one side of the tension wrench.. works great for top of keyway.. plus you can trim it to the depth you want.. it's nice and stick and stays on the wrench.. just peel it off after you are done..

I keep a strip in my case just in case

[DennisK]

Here' a dumb country boy's idea.Why not sandwich two tensioners together? That would make them thicker,but not necessarily wider.

[smokingman]

I sometimes use spring wire that I have straightend with pliers, and bend a small L in the end
( like a lever tension tool)
(vertical bend or a short rectangle in the end) that goes in the back of the keyway past the last pin.
The rest is just wire with a handle bend as a traditional tension tool would have.
This frees up nearly all of the keyway and does not slip out(or at all) .
Back of keyway tension is better in some ways as there is less spiral torque on the plug.
I get the wire from springs that go under batteries in radios and flashlights ect.

[mechanical_nightmare]

The Peterson serrated edge tension tools are supposed to prevent this from happening. I bought the flat 5 set and I should be receiving them just in time for Christmas Forming serrations on the edges of your tension tools is still a doable option from a DIY perspective. In fact I seem to remember seeing a thread about it. I sometimes have my wiper insert tensioners slip, when I notice them slipping I maintain tension on the plug with a finger while I reposition the tool.

[mechanical_nightmare]

Why not sandwich two tensioners together? That would make them thicker,but not necessarily wider.

You could silver solder two tensioners together, and then grind/file down the tip to fit for the lock. It would work, but it is probably easier to start making the tension wrench from thicker stock to begin with.

[KPick]

Or anyone could just go to a website like DH gate or any alike website and get a pick set with those super tich wrenches and file the long tension wrench down.

[cuttinedge1]

The angle of pressure you apply is important. Try tensioning straight and a little down or up.