Vise jaws for spreading work apart?

[GarageGuy]

Most clamps like this can be reversed by removing the move-able jaw and putting it in the other direction. Then it spreads instead of clamps. You can grind the jaws to custom fit your application, and they are generally cheap and easy to find. Just a thought...

GG

 

[francist]

Jewellers pin vise. Quite smooth and precise, put the pins in whatever holes you want for irregular objects. Works in tension as well as compression. Maybe work?

-frank

 

[Tozguy]

Is the lock in this link a fair example of what you want to decode?
http://www.lockwiki.com/index.php/S&G_8088

Just an idea but what about this?



The vise is a budget 4'' drill press vise that can be bought new for around 20$ It has a million other uses too!
Would the indicator stylus put enough pressure on the shackle to spread it? In a vertical position?
If the stylus is set to ride halfway up its length it would increase its sensitivity and pressure.

 

[rohare]

Is the lock in this link a fair example of what you want to decode?
http://www.lockwiki.com/index.php/S&G_8088

Just an idea but what about this?

View attachment 89086

The vise is a budget 4'' drill press vise that can be bought new for around 20$ It has a million other uses too!
Would the indicator stylus put enough pressure on the shackle to spread it? In a vertical position?
If the stylus is set to ride halfway up its length it would increase its sensitivity and pressure.

Perfect! I can't believe I didn't figure it out myself. Clamp down the lock body, arrange the dial test indicator such that it stands off from the shackle, use a string or something to place and remove pressure on the shackle such that it meets the indicator arm. The difference between a pre-established zero and whatever it reads for a given set of wheel positions is the measurement. Brillant! I'm going to give this a shot.

As for the pin vise, I actually bought that exact tool! Unfortunately, the lock body wiggles and shifts around, plus the whole tool is handheld so measurements become impossible even though the tool motion is highly repeatable.

And yes, that link is for the exact lock I'm working with. Thanks much for your help! If it works, I'll post some pics. If not, I'll probably shelve it for another year and then come back to the forum whining again. )

 

[Tozguy]

Good then, hope you break the code, we'll be cheering for you.

 

[Shadowdog500]

You need this guy!! http://youtu.be/qw_4HQMS-pk

How much force do you want to put on the hasp before taking a measurment?

if you are into making electromechanical devices you can make a lock manipulator machine That tries different combinations continuously until it finds the combination to the safe.

chris

 

[Dave Smith]

I would use a simple expansion spring with an adjustment threaded rod to get the repeatable desired pull tension----keep it simple----Dave