i-core tension tool

by **runnynose** » 20 Jan 2005 3:38

i-core special tension tool (tension wrench with teeth)...must have if im going to move up and get better, correct? ive ran into multiple best locks with no luck and until a couple days ago didnt understand why. i did a little searching and found a couple topics on how to make the special tension tool, but i just want to be positive this is a needed tool. i mean my common sense tells me yes, but any opinions would be nice for this newb

by **Romstar** » 20 Jan 2005 4:12

The special wrench isn't necessary for picking them open, but it is incredibly helpful for picking the control shear line and removing the core.

It is what it is, an aid for a specific problem. If you always pick the control shear, and remove the core, you will need to insert a small blade screwdriver to open the lock in question, and then reinsert the core.

Sounds like a bit of work huh?
Romstar

by **runnynose** » 20 Jan 2005 12:48

a lot of work just means a bigger feeling of success, but yes, it does seem tedious

by **raimundo** » 20 Jan 2005 15:22

it is difficult to intentionally pick the internal core of a best lock without the comb tensor that fits into the holes in the bottom of the internal core, but it is not necessary to have all the hole addressed, a tensor that fit only one or two of these would work. It is also possible to pick the internal core with no special tensor, just by accident, if you are picking a best, and the core seems to move just a bit too far to indicate spool pins and not further, keep tension on the tensor and pull it outward, the core might follow, Look for the keyway to turn to one oclock and then stop, pull the tensor out while under tension.

by **SFGOON** » 20 Jan 2005 22:13

I've been really facinated by these things lately. Is the control lug easier to pick than the normal lock? If these things are master keyed, they need at least three shear lines, don't they? Doesn't that make cross keying a huge problem? The idea of SFIC sounds really cool on the locksmith end of thigs, I'm just not convinced they're the most secure model of locks...

by **Romstar** » 21 Jan 2005 3:34

Theoretically, they aren't the most secure of locks. In practice however, BEST has acknowledged the theoretical problems by seriously enhancing the manufacturing tolerences. Hence the reason why it is sometimes so difficult to simply pick the things open. Additionally, some of the new keyways are absolute nightmares.

Romstar

by **raimundo** » 25 Jan 2005 9:52

there are two shear lines in the cylinder, the core, and the sleeve that controls the lug which fits around the core, and of course the pin stacks in best are so often filled with master pins, I believe that the difficulty in picking them, is that while some pins will set at the core shear line others are setting at the sleeve shearline, this might be the reason some people think forcing the pick harder is key to opening them, it could possibly shove a pin set at the core shear upward to set on the sleeve shear about .100" above. (the measurement is a guess, i don't have a sleeve and caliper in my hand right now.)

by **SFGOON** » 27 Jan 2005 15:27

The keyways on these things are rather difficult. Ironically, the I-core tensioner is a very thick piece of metal and often difficult to get into the keyway. I've ordered a few sets and filed them down about 1/4 the way, which seems to solve a few of my issues. Dealing with inserting and manipulating the pick itself is yet another issue...

by **Stevo** » 29 Jan 2005 15:29

I think Romstar hit the nail on the head when he referred to some of the keyways as nightmares. I have "graduated" myself to picking these SFICs, perhaps a bit too early. I've had just enough success with them to provide encouragement, but I think they may be a notch above my current skill level.

Getting the special tension tool into certain keyways AND

have it in such a way that you have any touch with it at all AND

leave yourself enough room for you pick so you have any touch with IT at all is to say the least, difficult.

I've been working on a padlock for which there is no key for about a week now on and off. Yesterday I felt that magical click as the plug began to spin. Then it kept spinning and the lock opened. So much for picking the control shear.

I've had real trouble shimming the wrench to a comfortable spot that still engages the control sleeve. So then I go without a shim and try to tug the tool laterally more rather than torque it, but this gives me very little "feel" about how much I'm actually adjusting the binding pressure on the pin stacks.

What do folks use to shim these with? I've tried another tiny wrench and doubled over paper clips. Next stop is probably cutting up a soda can into strips and doubling it over, maybe a few times.

I probably need to tear one of the cores apart and remove a few stacks and work my way up to 7 pins, but that'll be a pain in the posterior.

Any advice welcome.

by **Romstar** » 29 Jan 2005 16:18

Well, I made mention of this before but I find that if you change the angle of the bend on the i-core tensioner it makes it easier to engage the control sleeve and then to pick the control line.

This works because when you put tension on the wrench, it pushes the fingers into the holes.

Play with the angle until you find one that works for you.

Romstar

by **Stevo** » 29 Jan 2005 18:18

Thanks Rom!

Going to have to give that a shot. Found your most recent reference to it here:

viewtopic.php?t=5686

in case anyone else was looking for it.

You wouldn't happen to have pictures, would you?

by **Romstar** » 30 Jan 2005 4:19

I wish I had pictures. Hell, I wish I had a digital camera. There are so many things I want to post pictures of that it isn't funny.

Romstar

by **randmguy** » 30 Jan 2005 4:25

I don't know if Romstar uses the same type of turning tool that I do but here is the link to a picture of the type of tool I've been using for...well...forever:

http://www.lockpicking101.com/viewtopic.php?p=10840&highlight=#10840

by **MrB** » 30 Jan 2005 5:15

Romstar wrote:I wish I had pictures. Hell, I wish I had a digital camera. There are so many things I want to post pictures of that it isn't funny.

Digital cameras are still horribly expensive, especially good ones.

Not that I have done it myself, but when you have a regular film developed, I thought you could have the pictures put on a Kodak Picture CD or something for a very reasonable cost? I think that would be much better value than a digital camera.

by **Romstar** » 30 Jan 2005 5:58

Oh, I agree that digital cameras can be expensive up front, but the savings in developing alone more than make up for it.

I have a beautiful scanner here, but a lot of what I want to take pictures of would be better if I had a digital camera so that I could check the pictures. Some of this stuff gets shadows in the worst places.

Romstar

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