how to pick a padlock / any snooker player...
Discussion
Just been up in the loft and found a funny shape metal box hiding behind a rafter - octagonal section, tapering and a few feet long with a padlocked lid at one end. Other end had a cork plug in it, which I popped off to reveal the tip of a snooker queue! Had a look on the side and it's got a plaque with the makers name "Burroughs and Watts" and what looks like Ltd Ed. below it (although it might say Ltd and then a bit of crap, it's rather dirty!)
Just had a quick search and they seem to make some pretty pricey snooker queues!
Only problem is there is no key for the padlock, and I don't really want to go sawing it off just in case it's one of their nicer examples. Doubt it will be as it looks like it's been sat in it's hidey hole a very, very long time but you never know.
Just had a quick search and they seem to make some pretty pricey snooker queues!
Only problem is there is no key for the padlock, and I don't really want to go sawing it off just in case it's one of their nicer examples. Doubt it will be as it looks like it's been sat in it's hidey hole a very, very long time but you never know.
blimey - thread resurrection time!
Contacted manufacturer and downloaded instructions to make a lock pick from an electric tooth flosser(!), bought flosser, erm... and then I got a bit caught up trying to get the extension footings dug out before the bricky is due to start. (he reckoned that having the footings in before he built the walls would be the best plan)
Shifting the soil around (total now estimated at >80 tonnes) with nothing more than a fork and shovel has taken a bit longer than planned - but the concrete is being poured on Monday so will be back to the cue after then
To answer a query above, no no screws showing, it's a pressed metal case so just rivet heads - which will be drilled if the electric tooth flosser pick thing doesn't work.
And the manufacturer didn't even bother to reply to my email
Contacted manufacturer and downloaded instructions to make a lock pick from an electric tooth flosser(!), bought flosser, erm... and then I got a bit caught up trying to get the extension footings dug out before the bricky is due to start. (he reckoned that having the footings in before he built the walls would be the best plan)
Shifting the soil around (total now estimated at >80 tonnes) with nothing more than a fork and shovel has taken a bit longer than planned - but the concrete is being poured on Monday so will be back to the cue after then
To answer a query above, no no screws showing, it's a pressed metal case so just rivet heads - which will be drilled if the electric tooth flosser pick thing doesn't work.
And the manufacturer didn't even bother to reply to my email
Got bored today waiting for the rain to stop so set about the padlock. Was a bit dubious when I cleaned off the rust to see "3 lever secure" but thought what the hell.
Printed off instructions, "put torque lever in here" check "put fiddler thing in there" check "turn torque bar with slight pressure" check, use fiddler to feel the first tumbler.." check, "move on to next tumbler" check.
pop!
Must be beginners luck, either that or I missed my calling.
Cue looks quite nice, 15 1/2 oz (which is coincidentally what my old pool cue was) and in good nick. Has a plaque on the shaft engraved "The Stevenson Championship Cue" so I'll see if I can dig anything up on it.
Printed off instructions, "put torque lever in here" check "put fiddler thing in there" check "turn torque bar with slight pressure" check, use fiddler to feel the first tumbler.." check, "move on to next tumbler" check.
pop!
Must be beginners luck, either that or I missed my calling.
Cue looks quite nice, 15 1/2 oz (which is coincidentally what my old pool cue was) and in good nick. Has a plaque on the shaft engraved "The Stevenson Championship Cue" so I'll see if I can dig anything up on it.
Gassing Station | The Pie & Piston Archive | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff