Is it weird that my go-to tension wrench is a Raimundo's Bog

[Tedium]

I'm new at this, but none of my other tension wrenches give me the feedback that I get from the titanium Bogota. Maybe it's because it goes much farther into the plug; all the way to the bend. I'm not sure.

I have other wrenches on order: Peterson Prybar and ALS Tension wrench and I look forward to learning new techniques with them, but the Bogota is great.

NB. I'm still working on padlocks. (Yeah, I'm that new.)

[GWiens2001]

Just because you are working on padlocks does not mean that you are new. A lot of people collect padlocks, and there are padlocks that will challenge the best of us.

The feedback you are feeling is likely because the titanium picks have a little less flex. You will like the feedback of the prybars, too.

Have fun!

Gordon

[DennisK]

Just because you are working on padlocks does not mean that you are new. A lot of people collect padlocks, and there are padlocks that will challenge the best of us.

The feedback you are feeling is likely because the titanium picks have a little less flex. You will like the feedback of the prybars, too.

Have fun!

Gordon

The pry bars are my go to!

[teamstarlet]

I love the Bogota's for tensioning, but have a Peterson Prybar on its way as I've got a few locks that need TOK tension which is pretty much impossible with the Bogata's

[smokingman]

Just file down 4/32 by 2/32 off the tip of one of the bogotas tension ends
and you will have the same dimensions as a prybar, except for the thickness,
for TOK use. Might shorten the length a little too.
Works fine for me.

[teamstarlet]

Just file down 4/32 by 2/32 off the tip of one of the bogotas tension ends
and you will have the same dimensions as a prybar, except for the thickness,
for TOK use. Might shorten the length a little too.
Works fine for me.

That's a good idea. I have the Ti Bogata's which have a 120 degree (?) bend in the end which tends to cause it to fall out when pressure is applied and it's not inserted all the way into the keyway. I guess I could chop them down but then I lose the functionality should I need it.

[smokingman]

I just squared off the tip and filed the sides to make a short squareish tip,
enough to fit snug in TOK and not touch the first pin.
Just don't make the tip too small or it will dig into the brass and route it out .
Just make a diagonal fit so you can see and access the tip of the first pin.

[teamstarlet]

Any chance you could post a photo of yours?

[smokingman]

I gave my titaniums to my brother for Christmas, but I have some stainless ones I made and can take a pic of them.
I have customised them too, they are a bit different but illustrate the concept.
I will post as soon as I get a pic uploaded.

[floridaguy]

I use my own tension wrenches of varying sizes I made from from windshield wipers. In my opinion, homemade tools are always better because you know them way better.

[smokingman]

Any chance you could post a photo of yours?

Here,s my home made fauxgotas, ith the modified tips for more funcuntionality,

[Divinorum]

Very nice work smokingman. I like the concept of the double sided tool. Less to jam into a case or carry.

[smokingman]

Very nice work smokingman. I like the concept of the double sided tool. Less to jam into a case or carry.

Raimundo invented the bogotas , I just changed the tension tips to a serrated/reduced width
so to get a better grip in the top of keyway and not scrape the bottom of the cylinder and cause jamming of the
plug.
Friction at the bottom can cause the plug not to turn even when the pins are at shear.

[Tedium]

Really nice work, smokingman. Thanks for sharing.

[smokingman]

Thanks guys! I appreciate it.