(110) Make Your Own Pry Bars (Tension Tools)

[@georgebeorn159]

Thank you so much. I'm new at this. I'm 68 yrs old and found a new hobby.

[@bosnianbill]

Great! Welcome to the LockSport Tribe!

[@billbrogan1948]

Me too. Discovered what I always wanted to be.. a locksmith. Why oh why didn't I realize when I was 18?

[@buddinglearner7085]

i am 15 and learning to pick locks so that i can get into my school at night and change my grades. #asianproblems

[@shitpostshorts765]

@@buddinglearner7085 bro are u me?

[@jcross138]

Bill, Thank you so much for the videos you have made over the years. I have watched a lot of them, I love puzzles and lock picking is like a puzzle to me. I have learned so much from the locklab courses and from you videos. I don't have much money so I have worked with a $10 set. With this video I will be making some pry bars from dollar store knives and I hope to make a few picks as well. Thank you again and enjoy your retirement. God bless and enjoy your family!

[@CleanRunShooting]

I was at pull a part today and finally remembered to grab some windshield wiper inserts. I also broke off a few dip sticks for the same purpose.

[@noahway13]

I really enjoy making the tools more than the lock picking itself...

[@MattheWolf969]

Thank you Bill, I know you're not on KZbin at this point but thank you none the less, I was looking for those damn prybar for a long time and thanks to you I know can make them.

[@Aceoffroad4x4]

Have watched this video a couple times now. Very fine craftsmanship

[@parapicktog7734]

Great tutorial! I've already made my own crude TOK tensioners by bending the handle end of wipers I already had, and filing a notch into it. The ones I made look like shit but they fit and work in locks I previously couldn't pick with bottom tension due to severe bitting.

[@ericday604]

Beautiful job Bill! And there is just something extra special about popping a lock with something you crafted with your two hands. I'm inspired....off to the shop, oh yeah, don't forget about your local mission/thrift store for materials at GREAT prices.

[@wwhb4780]

I also cut out the form with a small diamond cutting wheel for the Dremel. Those diamond tools cost very small money. Only the last millimeter was ground down with the grinder. Furthermore I used a set of diamond files, which also was very cheap for sale in a grocery discounter. The set of ten was less expensive than one single good steel file and has an astonishing service life, enough for private use. Thanks for the tip to use cheap knives. I had one I never used and it had exactly the thickness I did not find elsewhere, 0.8 Millimeter. Just saw the other guy started the hobby at 68 years. I did too, now I'm 72.

[@sixtysixstyx]

Sweet! Dollar store knives I can afford to make- *Whips out hundreds of dollars worth of dremels and grinders in his fully loaded workshop* Yea guess I'll just order some off the internet....

[@wwhb4780]

My "Dremel" is from Ferm (Netherlands). Have it at least for ten years. I, however, added a small drill chuck instead of the primitive clamping bracket it came with. The best idea I ever had. I can use all the dremel tools as well as a twist drill up to 3 and more millimeters.

[@bosnianbill]

No prob Jay, I'm really having a good time making the vids too. I just leave my camera in the lab charging all the time and when I do something different, just film it. It takes no time at all. The only "hard" part is the looonnnngg upload to KZbin...

[@sherokain]

How do you put the bend in the wrenches?

[@jcwar6753]

Great upload, thanks for sharing! In my experience, I got a little tip on the "Book Sanding/Finishing". I generally like to fold some 220, then straight to 600. However, I don't use a book, I use a vise. In my fold I'll use a vise that doesn't cover all of the sand paper strip. This way, as I work it in and out, I can take different angles. Mainly using a "loop" or "unvised portion" at the bottom fold. I can also work the amount of pressure by playing with the vise as I'm shaping/finishing. Works very well once you figure out the process and go through the motions a few times. Lastly, I will go back in with metal polish on the same folded paper. This wet sanding style at the end can really polish very well on the 600 grit. I've done picks/tension tools like this and had them look miles better than other guys using a 10 step polishing process lol.

[@DanJanTube]

bos, you are truly a Master Craftsman. Thank you for showing us all your techniques.

[@iyeetsecurity922]

I've made some nice ones by modding _"Emergency door keys"_ before. For those unaware, they're those *"P"* shaped with a flat end keys that are typically used to unlock a bathroom door from one side.

[@technicalentry1349]

Hi Bill, great video - love it! keep up the good work. Couple corrections for you - I make the technical entry sensitive pry bar - it is not laser cut and the material is not the same as the others or a knife blade, nor are the dimensions exactly the same. I think this makes a difference in the quality. best regards, st.john

[@shenyathewelder9695]

I made my tension tools at work, took some Tig wire (1/16) and hammered the end, then bent it. With another one I bent it then used the hammer. Now I’ve got tok and bok

[@benjaminehlers995]

Thanks for this video on making tension tools from dollar-store stainless steel knives, what a great idea for getting cheap stainless steel material! (It took me a little longer than 13:42 minutes to make my own, and mine is much more crude, but maybe with more practice I’ll get better...)

[@plankhill]

its just as much about the tension feed back as it is the pick ... good job Master yoda

[@richardwales5561]

Great work Bill,made my first prybar an very pleased with the result. I masked the tips when polishing with gaffa tape so I didnt thin the ends too much.

[@diazaman420]

As soon as I started seriously picking, I started cruising dollar stores doing exactly what you are. Theres a knife with a fork at the end and most importantly a hole (no access to drills) and I would do the same thing except I'd have a hole to hang it on my keychain. I made a set of jigglers from 10 separate scrapers that had riveted handles once I ground off the rivet I had a hole, again for keychain. Oh I did the rest of the work with a dremel tool and yes they have drill bits,not for steel!

[@arizonacoinandbullioncolle3405]

Thanks Bill this was my most favorite video yet. Going to either buy or try making my own pry bar wrench.

[@radicalrob2103]

Same question as fogcreature" I don't have a pry bar to trace,know where we can find the exact dimensions??

[@mattbehnke779]

I made mine out of windshield wiper blades, and they work great!

[@rayhorner2965]

Go to auto part store and look in trash can. You might find it for free.

[@FusionDeveloper]

I actually did that. They say to go by on a rainy day, because that is when people realize their wipers are broken and replace them. Just be careful not to show up AFTER they take out the trash, because they may be more offended by you pulling things out of their dumpster, especially if you are tearing open tied bags and leaving a mess. You should only get them from opened trash bags that are currently in use. Someone else said you can make a deal with people at an auto repair place, like at Wal-Mart to "buy them a pizza" for saving you a pile to go through.

[@jamesozment1]

I had a gerber pocket knife which was broken so i stole the ss liners and made my own prybars .they work better than i expected. Also pump shims work great , and come in a wide veriety of thickness.i find them all the time at plants i work in.

[@NoOneSpecial13]

Those came out real pretty 😮

[@mahram.kanjori]

Hello, can you make work tools with a steel ruler or not? Thankful

[@Chrissy4605]

I like seeing the machining of tools.

[@roberthiggins1142]

I have/am in the middle of making myself a couple of TOK Pry bars but what i am struggling with is the width of the shank would 6mm (1/4") sound about right?

[@jaydee8959]

OMG you are amazing that was so sweet already looking thru the knife drawer.... was just thinking today about what I could use to make a pry bar and how I might do it....and tonight all my questionsxwere answered in onexvid thanks man...

[@diazaman420]

Ps. You did a great job making your wrenches! I've got some ideas spinning around my head. Getting a good finish takes alot of time and patients.

[@markcloudchaser874]

Nice one bill..thanks a lot for your help buddy. A can do it now as I have pretty large hands as well lol..Mark. Thanks again.

[@atticusfinch2830]

hey Bill. just started making my first set of picks out of dollar store knives. I'm using the stainless paring knifes set of 4 for a dollar. thanks for the tip.

[@DrBint]

Those look excellent mate! I really like your idea using strips of sandpaper to round the edges, never thought of that before... I'll be trying that out for sure.

[@fogcreature]

Did you trace a peterson pry bar to make your TOK tensioner? I'm good with metal working but don't have a pry bar design to trace as far as exact size and so forth. Do you know where I can find these dimensions?

[@kokomolock]

Awesome tutorial!! I am gonna have to give it a try now!!

[@beaverone3837]

Great video. But I think you need a sturdier bench.

[@danielroglich3309]

Great video brother ty,very helpful ,looking forward to putting this new found knowledge to good use,much obliged!

[@Kerpeesh]

Top work buddy, have got a big project coming up. Probably one of the coolest pick sets you've ever seen! But this will def be a project that I'm gunna do after. Custom prybars (drools)

[@davidcottom7750]

Hi,i just used junior hacksaw blades they are already finished and the right width and have spring tension.atb Dave.

[@commandolockcompany]

Great instruction and innovation. You made heirloom picks!

[@iopenlocks9668]

Hey Bill ....Love your video but I have a question...If you was going to get your pry bar/Tension wrench material from Eastern Industries what item would you get?

[@DirtLimo]

Sounds like an electric dremel. What brand?

[@Drag0s115]

Nice video and good job ! In the time that you made that little pry bar in a manufactory they make over 5000 in the same time :))

[@emtdragon383]

Hey BosnianBill, would a wet grinder work to control the heat? My grandfather had one when I was younger.

[@noahway13]

I found that I can bend wiper inserts to that angle when I heat up with propane torch.

[@vcasponline]

Great post...even after all these years. Where did you come across the magnifying shield on the ryobi bench grinder at 5:45? I need a couple of those!

[@ZootedInc]

is there anyway to get around the Grinding step, because i dont have or have access to a grinder of any kind... well i have a grinder bit for my dremel but that seems like it wouldnt work very well

[@mattek519]

Could you make your picks from this same steel?

[@AlexBlate]

Music wire is awesome. And it's generally made of simple high-carbon steel alloys, so it's easy to heat treat -- anneal it so you can work it with hand tools and bend it (or heat it up to bend it) and then heat treat it. I think I did a video on this... :D

[@ChrisLeeX]

Bill, any tips on bending the tip? I've found that the steel gets brittle/fatigued when making the bend.

[@wwhb4780]

I use a flambéing lighter. They sell everywhere cheaply around Christmas and Sylvester. A good one, up to ten Euros, is sufficient to heat a small tool to red color.

[@hwingerrr5680]

How about using the metal inserts sometimes found on some windshield wiper blade refills? Would they be usable at all or would they be too narrow to work?

[@hwingerrr5680]

bosnianbill Do tension wrenches serve different purposes than pry bar tension tools? Do certain locks just need a lot of pressure to be applied? I thought it generally was always just a very light tension-

[@aaronrowland9784]

How much are the tools to buy? By the time you purchase knife blades, use a Dremel wheel to cut them apart, grind them, file them, and allow for your time, I can't see bothering to do anything but just buy them.

[@dankcincy]

Thats kinda what I was thinking. The things are cheap as.

[@kwkstar]

He was also making them longer to fit his style!

[@J_Trask]

The point is knowing how to make them, and even innovate. I believe I watched a video of his saying he makes picks specific to locks sometimes.

[@kinnikuzero]

You can use much simpler tools, power tools make the job easier but aren't necessary

[@KipdoesStuff]

Its about the ability to do it, not the cost.

[@brio481]

Woah a lot of steps no wonder why it looks so professional. Is there any other easier way?

[@bosnianbill]

Sure. Grab a piece of metal. Grind it until it looks like a tensioner. stop.

[@mr.a.4955]

Fantastic video Bill! As always Thanks

[@S1DESHOWMICK]

Another great video Bill, looks like I'll be looking for some cheap knifes now. I love the pry bar's but like yourself, would prefer them to be longer.

[@chrisathomas1]

OMG you are incredible, thanks!!!

[@GregWolford]

I was wondering if you could post a template for making these, preferably one to scale? Thanks!

[@bosnianbill]

It's already on the website. lock-lab.com/resources/6365-2/

[@1world1love2day]

You da man, Bill.

[@AlexBlate]

I will keep bugging you until you start showing off your vertical mill, Bill. The cooler and more useful it looks, the more likely my wife will let me buy one for the new workshop :D

[@chrisgr1999]

Very nice video, but really is not worth the trouble if you don't have all these tools to do the job.

[@simplesecurity1299]

That's my weekend sorted

[@nine4t4]

Bill, I need to correct your saying 'ALL manufacturers' are using the same thickness. I love Sparrows for tools, but they are making their prybars with 0.032 and 0.025 stock. They work, but don't grab the top of keyway as well as the Peterson I found some spatulas at the dollar store that look close to 0.05 and will be enough material for around 10.

[@iggymac3473]

Nice work Bill I like them !! Nice video also Thanks

[@AlexBlate]

Yeah, the right index finger just doesn't want to rotate things CW. So I'm all thumbs, I guess. I'm going to fab a couple of the bent prybars and see how that goes. I don't have any .050 stock... but a trip to the dollar store might be worthwhile.

[@stevecobb76]

Very good advice! Thank you!

[@StephenMooreOfficial]

One more reason o hate being left handed... Most locks open clockwise meaning I have to use my thumb to feel for feedback which really hinders my picking ability... sigh... Any lefties know a nice way to pick locks where you can get the full feedback from the tension wrench?

[@rickau]

Practice the shit out of picking right-handed. This was the only thing I could think of for me after a while 😶

[@Bansheecat6]

Thank you for another great vid will be making a few of these soon

[@MagusJakus]

Hey Bill,can you make a tutorial on how to make a good picks,please.That would be great!!

[@marceltimmers1290]

Hi mate. I understand that you wanted to cater for the lowest equipped audience, but why are you not using a carborundum stone to polish your picks. I would think that you would get an even finer finish on the tools. Have you ever thought making the tools from high speed steel or even carbide. Would it be possible to silver solder the picks with carbide for extra strength and feedback? I think the hardness would be like a gramophone needle , and give you excellent response/feedback.

[@richardlewis8203]

Can you measure the width after your done?

[@openSUSE5]

I made a template of the Peterson tension wrench from a picture of it I found online next to a ruler. Here's the link: www.dropbox.com/s/e5b4ruu9lot0t35/Peterson%20Template.pdf?dl=1 The only difference is that there are no curved edges because I suck at the Photoshop pen tool. The curves are done by hand anyway so I thought it was no big deal. I used this to make my own and they turned out great! Please thumb up my comment so more people can see the link.

[@lockfiend1631]

+openSUSE5 . Nice 1 dude.very helpful.

[@ice260777]

+openSUSE5 got any templates on peterson's pick ?

[@jayo6468]

+openSUSE5 verry helpfull, thx

[@AlexBlate]

The thin ones (like those in the 5-piece set) *are* useful for top-of-the-keyway tension in super-tight euro keyways. But if you really need to bear down, you're out of luck.

[@bosnianbill]

Pictures! Send pictures of the new pick kit! Pleeeaaassseeee!

[@Bansheecat6]

yes what to do if you don't have a pry bar to trace?

[@patricklips7691]

Maybe try to stabilize your workbench, will work easier. B.t.w. nice job on the tension tools. 👍

[@toddelliott3887]

If I accidentally over heat the metal. Or heat it to add a bend. How do I restart the heat treat so it's a spring steel and not a brittle harden steel?

[@AWIERD1]

Todd Elliott Alex Steele has an excellent write up on tempering and normalizing steel.

[@annoyingbstard9407]

There's stainless steel and stainless steel. Ferritic stainless steel contains just chromium (12% and upwards) It's cheaper but can be hardened and holds an edge. Austenitic stainless steel contains chromium (18%) and nickel (8%). It's more expensive but can't be work hardened to the same extent and doesn't hold an edge. For that reason most knives are made from ferritic stainless steel - which strictly speaking isn't rust resistant and could be more accurately called chromium steel. To tell the difference - true stainless steel (18/8) isn't magnetic.

[@nine4t4]

For those that are making their own prybars, I'd like to offer another option. Dollar store/thrift store, table knives!!! You only get 1 per knife blade. BUT, if you look for it some table knife blades are thinner at the tip than towards the handle The obvious advantage is being able to make a prybar with 2 different thicknesses in the same tool. A single prybar with a .050 and .030-ish ends would be even cooler. Somebody has probably done this but the idea hit me at dinner a few nights ago. Love the vids

[@DavidLDFL]

I saw someone else's video on this a long time ago. So I tried it. Ended up getting a few good picks and tension tools. But on one of them it flew out of my hand and cut my thumb wide open. Lol. It was hacksaw blades I was using btw. Also I didn't have a dremel so I was doing it all on the bench grinder lol.

[@MrEinstain]

the bench grinder is one hell of a dangerous tool dude, wear gloves next times

[@DavidLDFL]

Davide Dopesick Yeah I was going to but was told by a few other people that wearing gloves would've been more dangerous because I wouldn't be able to grip the blades right. Next time I'll just use gloves and pliers or something. Lol

[@DavidLDFL]

Lopi Hub where's the fun in that? Lol I'll check it out thanks

[@KipdoesStuff]

Skip the gloves and use vice grips (locking pliers) to hold the part.

[@richardpeterson3753]

Nothing I hate more than working stainless. It is possibly more stubborn than even me. And that pisses me off lol

[@mrkultra1655]

Thanks Bill

[@Floridabitcoiner]

Great video Bill. I want to make some of these but I don't have an original to use to trace. Is there a way for me to get a template that is the actual size? Hmmm, maybe I should try google images?

[@Floridabitcoiner]

I should have done my search first. Here is what I found: lock-lab.com/resources/6365-2/

[@KipdoesStuff]

@@Floridabitcoiner Thanks, I can make most things, but having the dimensions like you showed makes it a whole lot easier, this is better than the video.

[@Floridabitcoiner]

Kip does Stuff: Credit goes to @bosnianbill as all I did was find his instructions 😂

[@yononable]

great tutorial bill, thanks a lot. regards.

[@1959Berre]

Ever thought about using stainless steel bike spokes? They come in different thickness. Just one humble remark: please secure that vise, it should not wobble like a drunken sailer.

[@yonderisgone9894]

Knives ladies and gentlemen knives.

[@LDU2U]

Excellent video.

[@randallracer]

so what do the serrations do exactly? i mean i understand every other bit but never got the point of the serrations.

[@IlDeimos]

The serrations at the end of the Tension Tool? They are so the Tension Tool gets a good grip in the key way. I think so anyway.

[@RobertSzasz]

+Thetechgenius yup. The points concentrate the load causing it to dig in a tiny amount so it doesn't slip as easily.

[@randallracer]

ah. i see.

[@TheMiseryIndex]

great job you really know your stuff..

[@MemerDad]

If I had half the machines you have, I wouldn’t be searching in the youtube lol

[@joffa5555]

Lol @ Brain Fart. I don't hear that word too often. I love taking an object meant for something else and turning it into something you need, whether free or cheap. I turned a S/S Dunny roll holder into a Centenna used for WiFi. Only cost around $5 and work like it was suppose too . These wrenches you have made and others you have used, any types you ever find bend?

[@javidpatel344]

Amazing tutorial can do a video please showing us how to make bypass knifes

[@eddie2to]

How do I get one of your tension tools Bosnian Bill?!

[@Clintonrwolff]

Great video! Keep the coming

[@standodge5536]

good tip using a book to sand.

[@waddac2]

Brilliant Bill, they look great :o))))

[@ZootedInc]

a little tip is, at least for me, would be to shoot all the metal working and just but the time at which its over instead of editing out, cuz i would have like to see some more of it, i prolly wouldnt have watched it all most likely skipped threw to parts i wanted to see but still

[@user-qd9sb2wk8c]

gracias maestro excelente demostracion

[@Johnyrocket70]

I like to do things fast too, I use 320 or 400 then 1000 on my picks

[@ZootedInc]

also around 7:30 ur doing the grooves and serrations i have know idea what they are or what purpose they serve, if u could let me know that be great

[@ColdestLivewire]

+Pyro Sandwich to prevent slipage

[@CindyL]

Its 8:22

[@ZootedInc]

Cindy L yes but i was doing the one where it was visible but ur right

[@YT-User1013]

I’m trying a worn out steel jig saw blade.