by raimundo » 26 Aug 2005 10:22
besides the various diameters, there are variations in pin placement called ofsets, left and right. the common 7 pin tubular lock can be devided into 8 equal parts around the perimeter. 7 of these center a pin, and the 8th is where the pick up fits. Do not try your 8 pin pick on a centered 7 pin lock.
but both of the seven pin off sets, have the pick up off center and the 8 pin tubular lockpick will pick both of them, so you do not have to buy an offset pick if you have the 8 pin pick. That said, the commonest tubular lock that you will find is the 7 pin centered, so buy the 7pin centered pick, and after that if you wish, a 7 pin smaller diameter might serve if you do certain bike locks, like old kryptonites, then an 8 pin common diameter will cover the 8 pin and both 7 pin offsets in common diameter. I have never seen an 8 pin or a 7 pin offset in the smaller diameter. (there is also a larger diameter, and several even smaller diameters. in fact, the variations of tublular lock do not stop at that, there are 5 pin 6pin, and some with as many as 11 or 12 pins, but you are unlikely ever to encounter these rara avis.
