Product Description
The blades of your new Sidewinder Extractor are 0.130” (blue & grey) 0.150” (black) wide and 0.004” thick. It is important to keep these measurements in mind as you approach an extraction situation. Nearly every broken key stands the chance of being extracted by the Sidewinder when care is given. First, look at the broken key and the openings surrounding the key. You want to find the point for the Sidewinder’s entry before setting up the tool for the extraction. Notice on the tool’s tip that there is a beveled edge that enables the operator to lift the tumblers during insertion into the keyway. We will explore more on finding the location for the Sidewinder’s insertion into the cylinder plug in a moment.
If you will look closely at the blue handle Sidewinder’s tip, you will see that there is a hook undercutting the bottom edge of the tool. Also notice that the black & grey handled tools’ talon, or hook, is within the body of its blade. These tips must be bent prior to insertion into the keyway. These tips are what will do the actual work. It must be bent in the direction that will allow it to grab the broken key.
Almost all key-ways have a spot that will allow for the 0.130” needed for insertion. Others will accept the 0.150”. It is also rare to find a blank that fills the keyway, which does not allow for the 0.004” thickness to pass. Since nearly all key-ways will allow the 0.004”, the need is in finding the 0.130” to 0.150” clearance. Therefore, find the point in the keyway that will accept the 0.130” to 0.150” for the Sidewinder’s insertion bend the tip so that the tip’s “hook(s)” will engage the key tip or cuts and make the insertion. (Tip: If the Sidewinder is inserted near the tumblers, use the beveled tip to assist in lifting the tumblers as the insertion is made. If you are inserting the Sidewinder into the lower part of the keyway, you may wish to invert the tool allowing the “hook” a better chance of grabbing the tip of the key.) Once the insertion has been made, pull the Sidewinder and broken key fragment out of the plug. You may need to lift tumblers to clear the broken fragment especially if you have the Sidewinder inverted. A key blank will lift any pins that block your path to success and also lift any pins that block the tools insertion as well as an excellent tool guide
