TOK tension tools

[Thanshin]

While I continue my search for used wipers to make my own standard tension tools, I'd like to buy a set of TOK bars. I have several questions and concepts I'd like to check:

Peterson's shipping costs to Spain are brutal and there aren't local dealers that don't overcharge severely on top of Peterson's prices.
Sparrows' flat tension bars are way cheaper and shipping is under a third of Peterson's. I could even add a tuxedo for the same total price of the Peterson prybars.
I don't know of other manufacturers and I've read in some reviews that Sparrows bars are flimsy and bend too much, or something like that.

• Are there alternatives for TOK wrenches other than these two?
• Are Sparrows' so much worse than Peterson's?
• Do you know of any European dealers that would change the premise?]

[sheerluck]

I haven't ever touched Peterson's tools, but note that Sparrows tools are thinner: 0.032 and 0.025, whereas Peterson's are 0.040 and 0.050.

Also, bosnianbill has a video comparing different TOK tools, and another on making your own.

[74TR6]

For TOK, I have found the Petterson .040 and .050 to be the better thickness choice--just my opinion. Petterson also make a set of 5 of various thickness; had the set, but was not impressed with the thinner models Have not used another brand so can not comment there

The bosnianbill video mentioned above is a very good comparison. His instructions for making your own are detailed and easy to follow; it could be worth the effort

Here is his video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1DXyhMenKU

[billdeserthills]

HPC makes a top TOK tension tool, it is called the TR-4. I kinda doubt you'll be able to buy HPC stuff though

[l0ckcr4ck3r]

A couple of manufacturers i know of are:

Madbob - Based in the UK and only charge about 5 euro to ship to Europe

http://www.madbobpicks.co.uk/6-Piece-Pry-Bar-Set-p/021.htm


Technical Entry - They may have a distributor in Spain?

http://www.technicalentry.com/products/locksmith

[davesnothere11]

Given your willingness to make tension tools from wipe blades, might be worth makeing some TOK tools. Music wire from a hobby shop or bike spokes can be used.

As far as a purchase goes Sparrows aren't too bad but the Peterson pair are better IMO (I have both brands and rarely need the additional Sparrows ones but Peterson's .05" see as a lot of use). Given your shipping costs I'd recommend getting the Flat 5 set at the same time. I use them a lot for thinner and curvy key ways as TOK tools as well as BOK.

[Thanshin]

Thank you everyone. I'll investigate a bit the Madbob pry bars option, as the few reviews I've seen are positive and their shipping rates are much more reasonable.

I've also found a scrapyard not too far away to visit for wiper blades.

I don't know what "music wire" is. I can't find a definition to translate it to Spanish and search that locally. I imagine it must be some standard thick steel wire.

[sheerluck]

It might be called piano wire as well. Go to a hobby store (the kind that sells model building stuff) and ask for hard, straight steel wire 1-3mm thick. They should have it.

[Thanshin]

straight steel wire 1-3mm thick.

Like these?

steel wire 0.8mm (too thin?)

1,6mm

3mm

[davesnothere11]

straight steel wire 1-3mm thick.

Like these?

steel wire 0.8mm (too thin?)

1,6mm

3mm

The 3mm one you linked should work.