DIY locksmith tools

[dontlook]

There is a thread of DIY plug followers, so I thought maybe we needed one for other non-pick tools as well.

This afternoon I went looking through the hardware store for things that could be used to remove the caps from the from the back of the KIK cylinders I have.

I came up with this which works nicely. It is a hose barb and some gaffe tape.



Some wire pieces might make it even better......

Husky 6mm socket was about the same, but stubbier.

What else folks got? Any recommendations for DIY circlip removal tools?

[billdeserthills]

How about just using the nut wrench on a weiser tool?

[dontlook]

Do you mean something like this ?


Well then I'd have to fork out $30 + for something large I don't need often. Also would have to have it with me.
Exploring what else works now is fun, so when I'm at an event somewhere and need one I know what will work and its wayyy cheaper.

[kwoswalt99-]

I've never made a tool for that, it's just too easy to do without one.

[Silverado]

+1 ingenuity.
Pretty neat idea. I've been thinking about making my own comb picks instead of buying. Wanna try them out, but not sure it's worth spending money on just to try it out.

[pickmonger]

John Kent has an interesting collection of DIY tools on his site at http://www.magics-notebook.com/lock_tools.html

[Davis]

Instead of spending the money on a hose barb, you could just always just use a hook pick to depress the retaining pin, and spin the knurl nut off with your fingers. Better yet, if you've installed a new Schlage lock and happened to save the little tool used to depress the handle retainer, it works also extremely well.

If you buy one of the American padlock bypass tools sold by Peterson or Sparrows, and subsequently break off the flag, the remaining point could be fashioned into a good tool for depressing the retaining pin on a KIK cylinder, as well as Grade 1 or 2 commercial knobs/levers.

[MacGnG1]

you can just use plain copper tubing.

there is a specific size of plumbing tube that fits perfectly for a standard schlage or kwikset cylinder.

[cledry]

This is a simple tool I made from a piece of a mortise cylinder. It has a 1/4" hole in the centre for a pilot bit and two small holes for the spanner wrench which is used to install bridges in storefront doors.

The purpose of the tool is to centre a hole saw when installing an entry, storeroom or classroom mortise lock in place of a passage lock. You simply thread this into the body and stick the assy. back in the door then you sort of guess where your hole should be drilled which should put you close to the 1/4" pilot hole in this tool an then you use this pilot to guide your hole saw.

It sounds more difficult than it is but it is really simple and accurate.

[cledry]

This tool is used to add a mortise thumb turn to a door that doesn't have one. We had a big job at a local university to add a mortise cylinder to the interior of classroom function deadbolts. To use this you simply unscrew the outside cylinder and thread this in, then use the long bit to drill through the opposite side of the door. That hole is then used to centre your pilot bit on your hole saw,. Perfect every time and you do not need to remove the existing mortise lock.

[Squelchtone]

Do you mean something like this ?


Well then I'd have to fork out $30 + for something large I don't need often. Also would have to have it with me.
Exploring what else works now is fun, so when I'm at an event somewhere and need one I know what will work and its wayyy cheaper.

found this tool on ebay for $15. maybe cut it in half if you only need the Schlage side?

www.ebay.com/itm/231469870597

[Davis]

Do you mean something like this ?


Well then I'd have to fork out $30 + for something large I don't need often. Also would have to have it with me.
Exploring what else works now is fun, so when I'm at an event somewhere and need one I know what will work and its wayyy cheaper.

If cost is an issue, check out this little combination plug follower/cylinder cap remover from Sparrows. http://www.sparrowslockpicks.com/product_p/rpf.htm Cost is negligible, and it should easily go in with whatever other pinning tools you use. But personally, I'm with kwoswalt99 on the cylinder cap thing.

Cledry, I like the looks of the DIY stuff you posted. I'm not involved in that kind of work, but those look really simple and useful.

[jeffmoss26]

the Lab/Schlage cap removal tool is 25-30 bucks, the Weiser one pictured above is only about 5 bucks. Of course, I have both
Jim - very cool! Love to see the stuff you guys come up with in the field.

[dontlook]

Squelchtone, don't think I checked eBay and folks have it retailing for a bit higher. I do love an excuse to work with power tools though.

The newer one looks like the size to travel with . ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ It usually just a couple KIKs a trip that need tuning up, but when they do I'm usually in a shitty spot energy or bench wise.

Its cool to see all this stuff you guys have improvised for the field. Thanks!

[ltdbjd]

I'd imagine you could use either one of those jigs to neatly drill out a solid Don-Jo wrap. I hate when I cut them and end up with a 1/16" hanging off one corner of the edge of the door.