Tubular Tension Wrench DIY

[fgarci03]

Hey.

A couple of weeks ago I bought a small electronic safe (I know safes are for the Advanced area but I'm only gonna focus on the lock itself)

It can be oppened in two ways (or at least it should be only two ways muhahaha):

- Insert the code, or
- Use a tubular key to bypass the electronic lock when you forget the code or it's out of battery. (https://www.dropbox.com/s/83k2y31e7o4l7pe/2013-01-27%2014.30.37.jpg)

This was my first "good" tubular lock. So I started to pick it.

I created this small wrench to do so, since I don't have the skill to build others I've seen arround. https://www.dropbox.com/s/sr8bae7wwjcshq1/2013-01-27%2014.37.35.jpg

You will only need a paperclip and a pliers.

- First, unbend and then rebend the paperclip like this -> https://www.dropbox.com/s/mb69j6cxcj3epxj/2013-01-27%2014.40.54.jpg

- Then, bend the tip 180º (it must about 2,5mm, it needs to fit perfectly on the lock in order to have a pivot point for tensioning) -> https://www.dropbox.com/s/3zisuzz4cwo4g40/2013-01-27%2014.43.35.jpg

- Again, halfway through the tip, bend it back 90º -> https://www.dropbox.com/s/2g7n24rn29du2lm/2013-01-27%2014.43.53.jpg

You have a Tubular Tension Wrench!

If you'd like you can make another bend to make the wrench with an angle like this -> https://www.dropbox.com/s/dlgcjt530xoiedb/2013-01-27%2014.46.54.jpg. I find it better for tensioning since that way I have a full clear path to pick the lock, but it's more of a taste than usefullness. https://www.dropbox.com/s/tobv4ajy4ff761g/2013-01-27%2014.46.21.jpg


One important advice. When you are bending the tip, bear in mind that if you don't get it at the first time, throw it away and get another paperclip. 90º and 180º bends and rebends will weaken the tip and it will break. I guarantee you. And it wouldn't be cool if it broke inside the lock wouldn't it?

Being made of paperclip, it will bend if you use too much force on it. Kind of a feather touch. But I found out that I can feel alot of what happens inside the lock. So it's like a win-win. It doens't let me force to much, but it still lets me feel everything I need to know to pick the lock.

Hope it helps!

Be safe!

[Squelchtone]

I tried this a couple of weeks back and the paperclip broke in the lock. I know that the paperclip worked for you but when you encounter higher security tubular locks such as ACE II locks which are on some safes you are going to need more tension. I highly recommend buying an actual tension wrench for around 1-2 dollars off [ADMIN EDIT: off any lock picking supplies website that sells them, please don't post links to online lock pick suppliers when you have 1 or 2 posts, it makes it seem like you're SPAMing for them.]

[fgarci03]

I didn't find tension wrenches for tubular locks in there. Anyway this is something for simple locks...

In fact, it doesn't work if the lock doesn't have a center notch.. But for a quick try on simple locks it's good enough.
Thank you for your insight!

I want to get "real" tubular locks like ACE II, because I don't have much experience with those...

[smokingman]

The flats of a 1/16 inch hex wrench will fit snugly in the
center notch of a tubular lock most of the time.
Cheap and no reworking.

[MBI]

The flats of a 1/16 inch hex wrench will fit snugly in the
center notch of a tubular lock most of the time.
Cheap and no reworking.

Excellent tip!

[phrygianradar]

I know this is an old thread, but I think that it is on topic. Having said that, this is what I made last night:





The topic came up on "what did you pick today" and I decided to give making one a try again. It works nicely, but you have to find something really thin and flexible to manipulate the pins with. I made it using my dremel and a spare key that is made out of nice hard metal, not soft cheap stuff Also, use a file or dremel to take the little knob off the outside of the key so it can be pulled out at any point in the lock! Some of the tubular locks that I have can be tensioned pretty easily, but some of them are a real PITA, so this is another tool in my tool box now.

I may work a little bit more on this one so I can get as much room to pick the pins as possible, but so far I have used it to pick almost all of the tubular locks that I have. And it really didn't take long to make. Maybe 10 minutes with the cutting wheel. Just incase someone out there wants another idea to play with when trying to tension a tubular lock, which sometimes can be very tricky. I have been able to pick an American Tubular Lock with this yet; it is a bit tight and they are better quality locks… But maybe a little more shaping will help.

[huxleypig]

Wow, when I saw the pics in that last post I had to do a double take at who wrote it!

I did exactly this ages ago. Made a scary looking tubular tensioner by doing exactly that. The problem I had was that I screwed up the ends of the legs and made them a bit pointy. So as I was picking and the pins were gradually going lower into the lock the pointy legs would ride up over the top of the pins and I'd lose it all. Let me know if you have better luck with having the legs squarer.

[phrygianradar]

So far it works pretty well on the tubular cam locks I have. The metal that key is made from is really pretty strong, so it holds it's shape and just kind of grips the center plug without too much movement like you described. It doesn't work near as well as I would like mainly because it is hard to get at the pins and manipulate them. It's hard to see what is going on and I don't want to take any more metal off than I need to. I probably would do well to get a hat pin or something similar to get at the pins better... I got a little tubular lock off eBay for a couple bucks and used one of the keys to make that. I still have not been able to pick my American Lock open with it, but my SO tubular pick can open it way quick, so why waste a bunch of time? I have picked the American padlock one movement in the correct direction after a long time trying but stopped after that.

I'm sure there are guys who can shape stuff better and make one that works easier and faster, but mine does work okay.

Thanks for checking it out, I would love to see anyone else's key tensioner and if it works well and why!

[cuttinedge1]

This is my case that can be easily replicated. It is made of a piece of strap from a backpack.

[cuttinedge1]

This is the pouch i will do a in-depth look later

[cuttinedge1]

sorry wrong thread but feel free to take a look

[GWiens2001]

It might be interesting to actually make one of your backpack straps into a hidden pick pouch.

Gordon

[cuttinedge1]

Thanks that a good idea and I might just try it.