A quick tubular lock question

[JoR]

Yes, I've searched. Couldn't find anything of relevant use, and that I did find was fragmented. Perhaps my bad searching techniques.


Was thinking of buying these:

http://www.southord.com/images/fullsize/tpxa-7.jpg

But I thought perhaps homemade would be of better value for money. Opinions? And another quick question - can a 8 pin configuration tubular pick open locks with 7 pins? I'm still reading up on tubular locks, been more focused on pin and tumblers since I started picking.
Cheers.

[vector40]

My understanding, which is dim, is that you can't just use the 8-pin for 7-pin locks, but that you CAN perform a modification that allows you to not only use it on 7-pinners, but also on both variants of 8-pin offsets. You'll need some mechanical acumen, though, and the gumption to remachine the pick a bit.

[dry132]

I've heard that with a slight modification to the 7-pin model, you can also use it to open 8 pins. Or was that the other way around... I think it involves drilling a small hole in part of the 7-pin so that it will also work in 8 pinners.

I don't think there's a real home-made option to the tubular picks that is on par with the factory made ones, though a good thread has been bouncing around involving a cork and a piece of aluminum, and some wires.

[MrB]

raimundo recently posted some very detailed instructions on how to make tubular picks. Do a search of his posts over the past two weeks or so.

[gnoff]

i saw that thread, i think he used like paperclips and a washer, stabbed in a cork...

its a pretty dead thread though, it was like months ago

[MrB]

i saw that thread, i think he used like paperclips and a washer, stabbed in a cork...

its a pretty dead thread though, it was like months ago

As I recall there were no paperclips, no washer, no cork and it was not months ago, but other than that you are spot on.

[stick]

The cork idea belonged to someone else, and, as I recall, wasn't really fully developed.

The 8 pin tubular pick can be modified to pick 7 pin locks and other variants. The 7 pin pick can be modified to pick 8 pin locks, but you'd need another feeler.

A common problem, as I recall, with Southord tubulars was that their handles fell off, but you shouldn't be using so much tension that you need the handles anyways.

[Guesss]

I went off of an old cork idea and the thread is out there somewhere but i havne't tested it it was just in the theory stage but there was a post under mine that explained a different way to make one so a search for my threads would bring it up i don't have that many out there. if anyone wants to help me with the idea i would be much greatful too i have just been much too busy to try and implament it lately.

[IanKendall]

I have the seven pin version, which is frighteningly fast to use.

The eight pin version can be used to open seven pin left or right offset locks, but I can't see how a seven pin pick can be modified to open eight pin locks without a major reworking (the pins are at different points around the circumferance - in order to align them and add an eighth feeler you would have to remove the wee latch that turns the lock. And probably ruin your tool in the process.

Take care, Ian

[vector40]

I think that's basically it.

I'd look for the thread, but seriously, guys, I'm not even the one asking the question. Not hard to find.

[raimundo]

I have a pick that the eight sliders ride on a sleeve around a center core that that is freely mobile and has the notch pickup on its end, this will do seven pin left right and center and eight pin. Its not the hand filed one that I described made from a key cut to the eight depth, the sleeve with the grooves was made by a machinest as was the core which has the handle on the other end. It will also do the kind you sometimes see on bike locks that have no center notch pickup, the key just pushes the pins to move the core, and my mobile center with the notch pickup is just removed to do these, this also removes the handle on the end of the pick, so when doing a no notch core, I just use the rubber O rings for the handle. This pick is limited by its diameter, 137 and it cannot do those cheap 5 and 6 pin versions. In the photos at locksports yahoo group, this also appears, or the tip of it does, near the top of the photo. The one made from a key is near the bottom of the photo. the photos were made by a neighbor who is no longer available, we both have moved, he's a 3hour drive away.

[JoR]

Thanks for all the replies guys, I'll search for that thread.

[kodierer]

I do believe that using a bic pen is much cheaper.
Just insert the pen tube into the keyway, and rock it slowly back, and forth, and in a minute you will have a working impression of the key which will unlock the lock.
Bic pen: 50 cents
tubular pick: closer to $70

[stick]

Bic pens aren't nearly as reliable.