Pick + Wrench together?

[Greatbob]

This may be a very stupid question, but is it possible to bend a paperclip so it looks like a U, stick the bottom in as a torque wrench and uste the top as a pick? So you turn "porque wrench" and use the top to pick.

I know it is better to use a real pick/ wrench. But if you needed to use only 1 paperclip, could you do that?


And until I get my picks and wrenches, what would you suggest I use as a substitute?


Thanks for your help

[Exodus5000]

I think you would be hard pressed to get that idea to work, but you are thinking creativly, so kudos for that.

[theevilmunchkin]

yep it will work in a pinch as long as the cylinder is not spring loaded like a padlock. Had to open up a locked desk once, the paper clip kept on bending it was a pain but I got it to work.

[Sabin37]

In theory, I think it would be possible, but very hard to do. It definitely wouldn't work on a lock that is harder than pathetic.

Some other items to use for a tension wrench would be hair clips, bobby pins, the clip on a pen, or a bent screw driver. Finding a substitute for a pick is a little bit more difficult. You could use a dremel and grind a pick out of a hacksaw blade.

[vector40]

I think it'd be easier to use separate tools, no matter how lousy they are.

[Kaellman]

It might work, but i think you will loose alot of "feel" that way. I think dividing it up on two tools will make the feel much more feelable .

[capt.dunc]

there's loads of information on making picks on this site, use the search feature, but when i first made picks i didn't have all this info available, i just kept my eyes open for suitable materials, try anything and learn what's good and what'll do if you're stuck. buy yourself some pliers and a small metal file, these tools will continue be useful for many years, so get good ones. i still, keep spare lengths of wire in my tool kit, and use some of the picks i first made. i would recomend aiming for a seperate tension tool and pick.

[raimundo]

on a pin tumbler lock, the pick moves in and out, up and down, while the torkylever will be turning clockwise or counterclockwise. when they are both the same piece of metal, you may be pulling the torkylever out when you go for the front pins, Well, its not a good idea, you can figure out how to do it with one hand, (I use a rubberband on the torky connected to one of my minor fingers) but to do it with one piece of metal is, if possible, certainly a level of difficulty that most will never master.

[stick]

It would be very hard to move the top portion over the different pins.

[Greatbob]

The reason I ask is that my friend picked a master lock (I dont know what type, it is a pin tumbler with an upside down U that is shackled to the base, Padlock?) Using 1 paperclip. While it may have been sheer luck picking it, I doubt it, and am trying to figure out how he did it