your e-pick opening techniques

[Jimmie]

Hi all

just curious ..; I'd like to know what is your best technique when using an e-pick

for me I use to pick with the help of an HPC spring loaded tensioner using an clockwise anticlockwise motion during the picking process ... and I just run the e-pick a few seconds no more ..; then I repeat if the lock is not opened

I do use a straight needle and sometimes I file down it for narrow keyways .... if the lock is difficult to open I use a needle with some bumps on it and/or a half diamond needle

I have two e-picks ... an old MAJESTIC electric pick and the WENDT II e-pick

this last one works great but it is rather noisy

hearing fro your fee back

Jimmie

[pick_maker]

I have three homebrew electro picks.

My problem was keeping the pick centered in the keyway. If it is not centered then the pick was not hitting all the pins.

I also have a variety of pick styles- flat, grooved- but have only opened cheap cylinders and key in knob locks.

[vector40]

My technique is to swear endlessly because I can't get such a simple thing to work.

[master in training]

still not got it then eh vector?

dont worry, you'll get it eventually!

im sort of in the process of making an electric pick, but lacking everything apart from the toothbrush, which is curently in pieces on my floor! i'll get the parts i need sorted out one day and make it (i hope!!).

[glasskey]

I thought I could find an answer here also.. hehe.. played with an e-pick for over 2 hours and only opened one lock.. could have opened any of them in a few minutes with my picks manually. guess I am not doing something right, but then I don't care for snap guns either

[tsleddens]

I use the wendt electropick, i only use the normal needles. That works the best for me. But some locks are really hard to pick with the electropick but easy with the hand pick gun. Strange but true.
Most of the time i use a letterbox tensioner if it fit, and i use a CW CCW motion.

Tijs

[NKT]

Hey, Vector, I'll buy your pick for a dollar, since it must be faulty... :-Þ

Seriously, have you tried it on a fairly easy lock with a wide keyway? Is the needle actually jumping up and down properly? Test it to make sure it is being driven properly when under slight pressure. If it isn't that's a fault and you should send it back.

epicks are somewhat harder to use on really cheap locks, btw.

Failing that, try upping the voltage, by adding another battery.

Actually, you have GOT batteries in it, right? :-Þ

[vector40]

... adding another battery? Are you kidding?

How and why?

[NKT]

If you add another battery, it will wiggle that little bit harder, and you might get some locks to pop open!

[vector40]

I mean, how would you do that? The case is sealed.