problem in tooling for this setup..

[Nevermore]

I am new and i am trying to build some picks out of hacksaw blades, however, i found out that most designs doesn't work with this keyhole..
I had to actually make them very thin and squat in order to enter the hole..


I wonder if there is a better design for the picks..maybe a template..

[Kigga]

if you search you can find templates for what you seek

[Nevermore]

the real problem is that the key is bent exactly where are the pins. so is very hard to fit a pick there..
i was able to fit a thin hook, but the half diamond didn't go properly in..
i have many templates, but seems that most of them are for american keyholes and don't fit nicely in those european ones..
I gave a fast look at all the locks i have at home, well, most of them are bent right where pins are located, that gives out lotsa troubles.

[Kigga]

try grinding down the pick even more and creating a bend just like the key

[Nevermore]

ehm..
bending it is rather difficult since i am using hacksaw blades..
i can grind it very thin, hoping it won't break..

[Kigga]

at each bending point heat it up a bit so it will go easily, let it cool then heat more and bend, then cool , etc
try it out with extra blades so u get the hang of it

[Nevermore]

well the problem is that is bend is quite sharp..
i will try but i doubt i will be able to.
thanks

[The Wanderer]

Here's a possible solution I saw here on the forum (compliments of Romstar) a while back on paracentric keyways, and making the right tool for the job.

viewtopic.php?p=54529#54529


I don't know if it'll work on a hacksaw blade, but it's worth a shot.

[Nevermore]

well, i will give a try tomorrow morning now is a bit late to starthammering around

[Romstar]

Ladies and gents, what you are looking at is an upside down YALE keyway. Quite possibly one of the most common keyways in existance today.

This is one of the major reasons why I recomend obtaining at least 1 lock of the Yale variety.

Additionally, most standard picks can be used in there with some difficulty, and slim line picks were meant for this very thing.

Just keep at it, and you will learn the value of tilting your picks.

Romstar

[raimundo]

I think that if you use sandpaper on your picks you will find that they can be made to operate with far less friction, round off the square edges of the pick tip and shaft too. sand every part that goes into the lock, then do it again with finer sandpaper. Sandpaper is best used when wrapped around a stick that fits the job, I use a chopstick that is round on one end and square on the other. the square end gives flat surfaces and a corner to work into smaller places.