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Ends of a Plug Follower
Posted:
Sun Apr 13, 2014 10:17 pmby crashplan
These two tools came in a pin set I recently purchased online. However, I'm a bet confused about why the plug follower (at least that's what I think it's called) has the ends that it does. I have found that the side with the slit going through it is useful for pushing top pins into the core, but do either of these ends have a function more useful than this? Why does it have these ends instead of just a flat surface?
Re: Ends of a Plug Follower
Posted:
Sun Apr 13, 2014 11:03 pmby GWiens2001
Yes, the slot is used for loading top pins. It also fits a few other plugs. The other end, at least from my experience, fits over the end of a few other plugs.
Gordon
Re: Ends of a Plug Follower
Posted:
Sun Apr 13, 2014 11:26 pmby crashplan
But if the end with the hole in it fits over a plug, wouldn't it be too small to work with a core that the plug follower fits into? Does that make any sense? Also, why would you want it to fit over a plug? Don't you just use it so that your top pins don't get all screwed up when you take the plug out? Sorry if these are stupid questions, I'm just a little confused about this.
Re: Ends of a Plug Follower
Posted:
Sun Apr 13, 2014 11:35 pmby GWiens2001
On some plugs, the tailpiece or end of the plug is of a smaller diameter than the main section of the plug. It is this smaller end that would be covered by the follower, not the entire plug.
Gordon
Re: Ends of a Plug Follower
Posted:
Mon Apr 14, 2014 6:16 amby Oldfast
Like Gordon mentioned, some cores have differently shaped tail pieces.
A flat plug follower will not always work. Maybe a picture will help you...
Doweling I made to fit the end of this one. Just a thinner, deeper slot would've sufficed... but you get the idea.
....and welcome to the forum. Great place!
Re: Ends of a Plug Follower
Posted:
Mon Apr 14, 2014 9:23 amby jeffmoss26
I have followers in various sizes and end configurations, just depends on the lock I'm dealing with.
There is a locksmith about 45 minutes from here that has come up with a new follower design, I am going to buy one as soon as he lets me know there are more for sale.
http://magicfollower.com/home.html
Re: Ends of a Plug Follower
Posted:
Mon Apr 14, 2014 5:01 pmby bmc1284
Please post when this follower is available Moss! I'll be buying 4!
Re: Ends of a Plug Follower
Posted:
Mon Apr 14, 2014 7:53 pmby GWiens2001
Oldfast wrote:Like Gordon mentioned, some cores have differently shaped tail pieces.
A flat plug follower will not always work. Maybe a picture will help you...
Doweling I made to fit the end of this one. Just a thinner, deeper slot would've sufficed... but you get the idea.
....and welcome to the forum. Great place!
Nice Medeco KIK cylinder, Oldfast.
Gordon
Re: Ends of a Plug Follower
Posted:
Mon Apr 14, 2014 10:49 pmby mastersmith
The "slotted" end of the follower was originally for mortise cylinders, tho as you see, it is nice for other newer designs also. You will find them hollow with a slot cut lengthwise that is specifically for Sargent kik that have a roll pin in them. They come in many sizes, shapes and designed for many cylinders, some just for loading top pins. The gold tool in your picture is for removing retaining caps from the rear of cylinders. I recently came across ALOT of 1/2" aluminum thick wall tubing that may become followers before it's all over! Many feet of it.