by Prof3ssor » 17 Sep 2005 7:31
Hey! I have not posted in a long, long time.
Well getting back in to picking again where I left off with tubular picks.
Heres the protein-in-my-post:
Are the locks you are trying to use Flex-ace or ace II locks by Chicago Lock?
Those have a pin or two that have intentinally wacked out tension so these types of picks wont work well at all. Youd need one with variable tension on each feeler like a peterson (? I think thats the one).
Make sure the neoprene o-ring is well taken care of, not dried out and not full of lubricant, and ensure that the feelers are smooth. On some picks the feelers are unevenly rough, which can cause sticking/sliding.
To check what tension to use, set the tension at a moderate pressure, push the pick in all the way (mind the perpendicular angle) and jiggle the pick rotationally a little (its just fast impressioning, really) just enough to say you went in both directions pull it out. Check how many feelers move. The tension goal is to move only a couple feelers in such a small time. And of course, adjust accordingly.
What works well during the picking technique is to, like I said, jiggle it rotationally, this will impression the lock really fast. If it isn't open in 15 seconds restart. To maximize the number of pin depth combinations you are testing, move the pick in and out of the lock a very small ammount during this process. A very small ammount is the depth of a pin cut or two, not much but it is still there. With some locks you may need to adjust the tension partially through the process to adjust for pins that start out really tough and lighten up as they get close to their depth. I rarely do this though, just restart. The tension on these tools are really hard to get the same every time, and as such if it is slightly off then reset it to be apparently the same and it has a good chance of working.
I hope this helps.
