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FacadeTheStiltBoy Elite user Greensboro NC 474 Posts |
Out of curiousity, how thin should I make a set of shims and picks? I can heat treat them in my shop, but I'm just thinking about dimentions.
I also just got my first set of cuffs for doing escapes, an ungaffed set of ASP tactical handcuffs. |
james_unlimited Loyal user UK 223 Posts |
Lol ASP Model 100s? These cuffs are the escapists best friend, have you got the newer improved version or the old type? For picks just file a bobby pin thinner keeping it straight use in an anticlockwise motion, and to shim it I think clyde Mighell used the actual packaging the cuffs came in to shim them open! But for shims trial and error usually is the best way. I made my shims for my british cuffs out of a drain cleaner and a bench grinder, but you want to get yourself a few more pairs of cuffs, Smith and Wesson Hiatt, Peerless are all different and you should get to know them.
J |
The Donster Inner circle 4817 Posts |
For a universal shim it should be at least two thousandths thick. very skinny you can also make shims out of box staples.
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FacadeTheStiltBoy Elite user Greensboro NC 474 Posts |
Yeah, I really like the model 100s Material wise I have some .015 (yeah fifteen thousandths) stainless laying around in my shop for shims.
I made my first one out of some steel banding material (the banding that goes around lumber and whatnot) and it works all right, I made a rake style pick that should work. (funny I always bought some crappy lockpicks at a few places, but never really got a knack for applying them) I do though find it a heck of a lot easier to pick than shim them. I do have a set of peerless prisoner travel chains and some S&W leg iorns that I want to use some time but I think that I'm going to have to tinker with them later. Thanks for the help. |
Kevin Ridgeway V.I.P. Indianapolis, IN & Phoenix, AZ 1832 Posts |
James_unlimited is correct in saying that you turn the pick in an anticlockwise motion...but that is only if you are on the 'backside' of the cuffs. If you are on the 'front' side of them then you spin clockwise.
These cuffs are unique and have an inherent flaw in my opinion by having key holes on both sides. But they sure are great for us. As mentioned they can be shimmed with the blister packaging they come in, as well as, the cover of a phone book, stiff card stock, etc. Kevin
Living Illusions
Ridgeway & Johnson Entertainment Inc Kevin Ridgeway & Kristen Johnson aka Lady Houdini The World's Premier Female Escape Artist www.LadyHoudini.com www.livingillusions.com |
Wolflock Inner circle South Africa 2257 Posts |
I have found that the SMALL measuring tape that you get (looks like a toy) works well as a shim. Especially on the Old version of the 100's (Not that it is needed LOL). For picks, I find that a simple Key ring when straightened and bent at the right places works very well. Just have problems picking the Republic Arms with them. If anyone has some tips on them, please PM me. Thanks.
Regards Wolflock
Wolflock
Pro Magician & Escapologist Member of JMC (Johannesburg Magic Circle) South Africa |
james_unlimited Loyal user UK 223 Posts |
Is it the new style cuffs you have? because I remember getting mine when ASP first released them.. there were a lot of security issues.
ASP recalled some of them and apparently made them better? Does anybody know if this is true? Personally if your finding the ASP cuffs hard to shim, the S&W will be a problem for you, but keep up your practice, anything can be accomplished.... J |
FacadeTheStiltBoy Elite user Greensboro NC 474 Posts |
Well, mine are the newer version, so it is a little bit more dificult, I remember reading the page about playing with them, but then again that explains why I was having dificulty with shimming them with plastic. The picking methood still worked wonders though.
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mike herbert New user mike herbert 53 Posts |
Go to a clock maker or watch repair specialist, they tend to have clock springs laying around that are the right width and thickness. of course car feeler gauges are good for making allsorts of devices.
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Riley Special user Swansea UK 955 Posts |
Clock springs are good if you can get some. Ten thousandths of an inch is a good thickness.
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