Take the Vise Guards off.. Doh!!!

[l0ckcr4ck3r]

This is gunna sound strange but i have been using my Proxxon for 5 months and only just worked this out. Apologies if someone has already posted about this but i couldn't find anything about it with a basic search and some may still be doing this without realizing it....

The desk/bench i use for hobbies is one from Ikea... solid beech top with 4 metal legs. I knew a vacuum vise wasn't gunna work, so i bought the clamp style.



Up till now, i have been using the rubber vise guards that came with it, thinking it would grip locks better and not damage them. IMHO a BIG mistake. I used the vise yesterday for something other than picking and didn't put the guards back on again, then went back to picking. I almost jumped when i set the first pin. It was like the difference between snapping your fingers and a Gunshot!!!

Basically every audial piece of feedback was deadened before by the rubber guards... Now every sound/vibration is transferred first to the vise and then to the bench top AND amplified. The only way it could be better is if the the bench top was cheap blockboard or even an old hollow door to act as a resonance chamber.

It now seems so obvious now, thought id share

[femurat]

That's what happened to me the first time I picked a lock in my wooden training station instead of keeping it in my hand. Great suggestion

[easy-e]

Sorry for the old bump. Going through all of the posts I haven't read since May.

I've been using my little vice with the rubber pads. I'm going to have to try this tonight. I was doing it for the same reason too...didn't want to mess up my locks. The only thing I was really worried about was the threads on mortise cylinders. Maybe I'll glue some aluminum or brass angle to my jaws so it wouldn't be steel on steel.

[DennisK]

Sorry for the old bump. Going through all of the posts I haven't read since May.

I've been using my little vice with the rubber pads. I'm going to have to try this tonight. I was doing it for the same reason too...didn't want to mess up my locks. The only thing I was really worried about was the threads on mortise cylinders. Maybe I'll glue some aluminum or brass angle to my jaws so it wouldn't be steel on steel.

You can actually buy aluminum jaw pads that stick on with imbedded magnets.

[Drifty Flintlock]

That's pretty interesting. 90% of my practice has been done with locks in rubber jaws. I'll try taking them off and see if it makes a difference.

[mechanical_nightmare]

An interesting issue, unbelievable that I didn't think of it before... I usually use the rubber guards so I do not scratch the lock, because there are some locks that I pick practically every day. Will also give it a try without the guards. Also I have arranged to take possession of an old door with a mortise lock and dimple cylinder. Thinking of cutting it up into a few blocks and installing some locks. That way the picking will be as realistic as possible.

[KPick]

An interesting issue, unbelievable that I didn't think of it before... I usually use the rubber guards so I do not scratch the lock, because there are some locks that I pick practically every day. Will also give it a try without the guards. Also I have arranged to take possession of an old door with a mortise lock and dimple cylinder. Thinking of cutting it up into a few blocks and installing some locks. That way the picking will be as realistic as possible.

That's what I was thinking. You want to simulate the difficulty you would get with the lock being on a door, chain, etc. It's the best way to use your skills, critical thinking, and develop a feel for pins.

[Divinorum]

I purchased a harbor freight vice with the removable rubber guards a few months ago. I'll have to try it without the guards and see if i notice a difference. I do like the guards though, they keeps everything like new. I would really like to do the same as mechanical_nightmare suggested and build my own lock stand to simulate a real door. I know they are for sale online but I feel it would be more rewarding to make it myself. Shouldn't be too difficult right?

[KPick]

I purchased a harbor freight vice with the removable rubber guards a few months ago. I'll have to try it without the guards and see if i notice a difference. I do like the guards though, they keeps everything like new. I would really like to do the same as mechanical_nightmare suggested and build my own lock stand to simulate a real door. I know they are for sale online but I feel it would be more rewarding to make it myself. Shouldn't be too difficult right?

I have a harbor freight store here in Fresno California. How much did it cost you for your vise? They also have this 20% or 50% off coupon in the mail every week and I'm planning to use it. I've been wondering how much they cost and since it's on the way back from school, that would be awesome to get one cheap!

[Achyfellow]

I just did the test and I didn't see much difference. I get my feedback from the pick and tension tool and that doesn't really change.

[Divinorum]

I purchased a harbor freight vice with the removable rubber guards a few months ago. I'll have to try it without the guards and see if i notice a difference. I do like the guards though, they keeps everything like new. I would really like to do the same as mechanical_nightmare suggested and build my own lock stand to simulate a real door. I know they are for sale online but I feel it would be more rewarding to make it myself. Shouldn't be too difficult right?

I have a harbor freight store here in Fresno California. How much did it cost you for your vise? They also have this 20% or 50% off coupon in the mail every week and I'm planning to use it. I've been wondering how much they cost and since it's on the way back from school, that would be awesome to get one cheap!

I have the vacuum vice with the suction cup. If i remember correctly it was about $20.

[Drifty Flintlock]

After trying this, there really is a huge difference in feel, but oddly enough I seem to be having the exact opposite experience as reported. It seems like without the rubber it requires a LOT more force to set a pin, and it's harder to feel when it's happening. Maybe I'm just too used to doing it the other way, but there you go.

[sterry20]

i can see im not the only harbor freight fan out there my best purchase to date is the tree inch grinder with the dremmel tool like shaft on it 34.00 was my cost and ten bucks for the grinding bits i can now grind shape and polish out new pic tools in a matter of minutes best purchase ever for my company even my employees cant leave there hands off it so get some spare wheels while your there you wont regret it!

[sterry20]

i can see im not the only harbor freight fan out there my best purchase to date is the tree inch grinder with the dremmel tool like shaft on it 34.00 was my cost and ten bucks for the grinding bits i can now grind shape and polish out new pic tools in a matter of minutes best purchase ever for my company even my employees cant leave there hands off it so get some spare wheels while your there you wont regret it!