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Anyone use tape measure as shim material?

Having read the FAQ's you are still unfulfilled and seek more enlightenment, so post your general lock picking questions here.
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Do not post safe related questions in this sub forum! Post them in This Old Safe

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Anyone use tape measure as shim material?

Postby 9jack9 » 19 Jul 2017 18:17

The curved metal kind of tape measure. I have an old one, but I don't want to sacrifice it if it won't work well.
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Re: Anyone use tape measure as shim material?

Postby mseifert » 19 Jul 2017 18:57

I have not tried it, but it seems like it might be a little thick..
When I finally leave this world.. Will someone please tell my wife what I have REALLY spent on locks ...
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Re: Anyone use tape measure as shim material?

Postby tpark » 19 Jul 2017 19:09

The metal strips in Sensormatic EAS (anti shoplifting tags) work as shims, but they're a little bit thin. I just buy shims - at $3.60 for 25 that's the way to go.
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Re: Anyone use tape measure as shim material?

Postby ltdbjd » 19 Jul 2017 19:57

Are you referring to shims to open cylinders, or shims to open padlocks?

Shims for cylinders are typically 0.0015", so a tape measure is a no-go. I don't know about measurements for the padlock kind, but I agree that they will probably be too thick, considering people often make them from soda cans.
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Re: Anyone use tape measure as shim material?

Postby 9jack9 » 19 Jul 2017 21:11

tpark, where do you get shims for that price?
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Re: Anyone use tape measure as shim material?

Postby kwoswalt99- » 19 Jul 2017 21:13

Tried it, they break easy. Will work on some padlocks.
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Re: Anyone use tape measure as shim material?

Postby Squelchtone » 19 Jul 2017 22:34

9jack9 wrote:tpark, where do you get shims for that price?


Where else but CLK Supplies! :)

https://www.clksupplies.com/products/shim-stock-25pcs
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Re: Anyone use tape measure as shim material?

Postby tpark » 19 Jul 2017 23:16

Squelchtone wrote:
9jack9 wrote:tpark, where do you get shims for that price?


Where else but CLK Supplies! :)

https://www.clksupplies.com/products/shim-stock-25pcs


They are a great supplier, but I got mine at http://www.lockpicks.com/curved-shims-25-lsmov25.html - I've bought lots of stuff from CLK and Brockhage, both are great suppliers.
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Re: Anyone use tape measure as shim material?

Postby TheLocKing » 31 Jul 2017 6:24

Just use an old milk carton :wink:
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Re: Anyone use tape measure as shim material?

Postby Gantry » 31 Jul 2017 9:22

9jack9 wrote:The curved metal kind of tape measure. I have an old one, but I don't want to sacrifice it if it won't work well.


Here's a YouTube video (Lock Noob) of this very question...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6okltu6KJs
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Re: Anyone use tape measure as shim material?

Postby 9jack9 » 31 Jul 2017 20:48

Thanks, Gantry!
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Re: Anyone use tape measure as shim material?

Postby Gantry » 31 Jul 2017 23:09

9jack9 wrote:Thanks, Gantry!


Your welcome, 9jack9
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Re: Anyone use tape measure as shim material?

Postby stratmando » 1 Aug 2017 10:30

[quote="tpark"]The metal strips in Sensormatic EAS (anti shoplifting tags) work as shims, but they're a little bit thin. I just buy shims - at $3.60 for 25 that's the way to go.[/quote]


I use those metal strips to decode Locks like the Sesame or 175, needs just a little magic marker line to see the flat spot
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