Review of Circular tension tool Pt. 1

by **Varjeal** » 4 Sep 2004 15:50

This is the first part of my review on a circular tension tool I purchased recently.

This particular tool (can't remember the part number or anything) is basically a knurled round piece of aluminum with a couple of round spring steel pegs set in the midde and bent at 90 degrees to act as both top and bottom tension on the plug, distributing torsion equally.

After some experimenting with weiser locks, and bending/rebending the pegs to fit properly, I was, quite simply, very impressed.

I was able to pick rather difficult (17261) pinned cylinders consistently and much more quickly than with standard tension tool. Why? My theory is because of the equal distribution on the plug. I also found it easier than a standard tension tool when the cylinder was in my hand.

How it will work on Schlage and other, more restrictive locks, I do not know, but I am glad that this particular one did not have the spring that some of the more expensive models have. I believe that spring will absorb some of the plug movement, but I'll have to experiment with other models to be sure.

I must admit to have been skeptical at the start, especially since many locksmiths as well as many of you hobbyists have recommended against it. I believe that problems may occur, though, with different shaped knobs and restrictive keyways, but I"ll review and post on that later. Just thought I would share my findings thus far.

by **lock_assassin** » 5 Sep 2004 22:07

Varjeal,

Did you have to bend & rebend the pegs because of their spacing? I saw a circular tool that has a button on top to raise & lower the top peg for different keyways I would guess. I agree that the spring loaded ones with the indexing marks would take away some of the feel on the tension, but the marks might help out some people by putting the same amount of tension on the lock each time. These things are expensive enough I was afraid to buy one to find out it didn't work. After you try them on other keyways I might get one of the standard ones like you have a give it a shot.

Thanks for the review...and for being our guinea pig!!!

lock_assassin

by **Varjeal** » 5 Sep 2004 22:17

Yeah, I did have to bend and rebend the pegs 'cause of the spacing...I kind of assumed that most circular tools were the same, but if there are some available that are adjustable, that would definitely be a benefit. I'll let ya know how it works out, and I may have to get one of those just to see if they're effective. For now, I'll work with this one. I did get a pretty good deal on it anyways...hehehe...

by **Eyes_Only** » 7 Sep 2004 2:24

Couple things i didnt like with the tool is that my middle finger cant make contact with the lock face when picking, using the circular tool cos thats just my style of picking. Another thing was that the prongs that go into the plug are too long and bends and twists too much in use but I solved this problem by trimming them a bit with a bolt cutter. But overall it is still a very good tool

by **Luke** » 8 Sep 2004 7:12

Hmmm sounds like i mays well try this, better be at my place in Australia... yankies....

by **samusugiru** » 26 Jan 2005 20:21

It sounds really cool. :shock:

Any chance we could see a photo of it? Or an artists impression?

by **stick** » 26 Jan 2005 22:23

by **omelet** » 2 Mar 2005 18:29

You have stated that you needed to bend the pegs to fit different locks. That seems like it would put a shorter lifespan for these particular tools than normal tension tools. How has it seemed to you in terms of durablilty?
I shoudl think that if one or both of the pegs were not fixed inside the round part, but rather were free to move radially with thumb screws to fix them in place would be better than having to bend them at all.

by **Varjeal** » 2 Mar 2005 19:58

It terms of durability I don't think it would last like standard tension tools. I don't use it as an everyday tool simply because of the bulk factor. I keep all my lock pick tools in an eyeglass case and it's fairly packed with the rytan spinner, spare screwdriver, etc as it is so the circular tool ends up rattling around in the tool box a lot.

All it would really require is having one that was adjustable and I am aware there are varieties that do that, I just don't currently possess one at this time.

Give it a try though and see what you think.

by **Wolf2486** » 2 Mar 2005 21:53

Varjeal wrote: I also found it easier than a standard tension tool when the cylinder was in my hand.

Really?! I find it more difficult than the standard tension tool. How did you hold the cylinder?

by **Varjeal** » 7 Mar 2005 10:36

I use the pinky, ring, and middle finger of my left hand to hold the cylinder, index and thumb to apply tension with the circular tool. It may sound awkward but I find this just as comfortable if not more so than with a standard tension tool.

Just a personal thing, though.

by **raimundo** » 7 Mar 2005 10:55

I just want to point out that I have often found that a different tensor will often make a difficult lock suddenly much easier. with the blade in the bottom of the lock, there is always some drag on the immobile cylinder wall, and with split tensors, some are spring loaded to spread and this will drag on the cylinder wall, while others that are not spring loaded will not do this. Consider the tolerance between the plug and cylinder, some locks are loose, some even seem to have the top of the plug filed flat, effectively widening the shearline, while others are tightly machined, like best or dom. when tension is applied to the open end of the plug, the tolerance will allow for the plug to not just turn a bit, but but to get its center axis out of line with the center axis of the cylinder a bit, this will tend to make one end of the plug easier to pick than the other, theoreticaly, essentially the plug wobbles a bit from the axis of the cylinder,

by **Gear Head** » 3 Jan 2006 19:34

I am trying to homebrew one of those within the next few days. I think the construction of it will just outlast my $20.

by **Gear Head** » 3 Jan 2006 19:39

I should have worded that alittle better. :roll:

For 20 bucks I'm not sure how long the two wires tig welded to a washer will last. I can understand the expenses, but for right now its just a hobbie taking off.

by **illusion** » 3 Jan 2006 19:43

hmm... if you used two pieces of piano wire... then got hold of a bearing, then take out the balls so you are left with the large outer ring.... if you could silver-solder the pieces of piano wire to the right places and bend them so they engage the cylinder I reckon it would work

Review of Circular tension tool Pt. 1

Review of Circular tension tool Pt. 1

Re: Review of Circular tension tool Pt. 1

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