If no one else has said it in the comments below, I'll say it here. I've noticed a marked increase in the self promotion for his web site. It grates a little and, for me, spoils the rest of the show. I know most others don't care, but I would prefer the advert came in at the end. The only exception being "the tool that Bosnian Bill and I made together".
@@albanana683 honestly when it comes to self-promotion in RU-vid videos I think LPL is the best example of doing it well. He tells you what tools he's using in each video, and by saying he sells them he shows that you can do what he does by using the tools he sells, you don't need to buy expensive tools from strange or iffy retailers.
When he says "small screws" at 5:37 he's not referring to the side screws just in general, there are actually large and small (length) versions of those screws. If you use the large ones, which happened to be the ones already mounted in my side plate, things will be quite loose and you won't be able to tighten things down no matter how hard you try.
Thanks so much, there was not enough emphasise on the fact it was installed with longer screws. I was like "hmmm that cant tighten anymore" and came into the comments for help. Thanks!
Thank you. I thought I had done something wrong. I took my existing covert companion and added the expansion. But there is about a spacer worth of slop, and I can't tighten it any more. I'll need to find my spare parts (at a later date for reasons), and find the smaller screws. These are definitely the long ones I'm using
I was just coming here to make this comment also 🤣 I was wondering why the screws were tight but there was so much play in the rails. Thankfully I didn't throw out the screws a few months back when I originally bought the CC
Just placed my order for the Turning Tool Expansion Pack. My outer frame of my Covert Companion is so old it does not have the Covert Instruments logo on it, only the engraved Keysmart USA. It's like having an author's 1st Edition! :D
Lol.. like some MLM company where there are all the ranks between people who do exactly the same thing... but there is always another level to aspire to be :D I see where this is going :D:D:D
@@justinsmith7606 I missed out on the initial release of the Covert Companion and got on the wait-list for the second availability. Didn't hesitate to nab one.
To everyone who built this and then realized you wanted the lanyard hook at the end, use the extra extension screws as a placeholder so you don't have to disassemble then reassemble the entire side. Take the set screw off, pick all the tools and spacers off in a whole stack then slide it on the extra extension screws you put together. then you can put the lanyard piece on, then slide everything back together and tighten it down. I just realized this and did it myself. Saves a lot of time and frustration!
I don't know if there already is one, but, as a complete amateur, I would love a video explaining what each different pick does. I have a vague idea of what the rake, comb, notch decoder and jigglers do, but a thorough explanation would be extremely welcome. Even though I don't think I would use a Covert Companion often, just to support all your work I would buy one if I had enough income to justify it.
Click the LPL logo/header below the video On his home page, click the "Search" (magnifying glass) icon Type HOW TO and press enter Pick one of the playlists
Hello! Received and assembled mine today (BF bundle), had saved this video and copied every motion zealously. Thank you so much for this. Single pin picked my first lock in my life today. An Abus 55/30. Only managed to open it twice over half an hour. My fingers are dead. Was wrongly putting the tension turning tool at the bottom opening. Lesson learned. But it's a start. Small moves Ellie, small moves!
Just got my expansion pack in and got it put together. The Bic pen definitely helped with assembly this time. Had such a hard time getting it together the first time.
Don't buy this lockpicking set, you will never use it and will waste money. Donate to a charity like givewell instead, then your money will actually have an impact.
@@skyhappy look at this mighty man right here telling people how they should use their own money. Just because you wouldn’t use it, doesn’t mean others won’t.
Thank you for the step by step assembly. It made it much easier to assemble with the expansion pack for the turning wrenches.🤠 This set is much more comprehensive than the one that came with my Locksmithing course in 1977.
I'm just an amateur learning these skills for fun, but I highly recommend this entire kit and turning tools accessory pack. From a life-long career in the manufacturing sector, I say this: Excellent design, engineering, and production - and reasonably priced. Quality service and product all around! I couldn't be more pleased with the outcome. Many thanks for your efforts!
I just got my genesis set in the mail yesterday and I picked my first lock ever a few minutes afterwards and I was ecstatic, The lock was a garbage master padlock. Thanks for everything you do LPL and the lockpicks you sell are amazing.
So, I recently received my Covert Companion along with the turning tool expansion, and found the earlier video detailing how to put the tool together which I used to assemble to the tool. Obviously, I was left with all of the turning tool expansion parts left over, and then found this video. My heart dropped a little when I realised that I had to disassemble what I had only just put together in order to install the expansion pack, but then I realised that I could use those 8 additional posts to make the job much easier. I took the 8 posts and made them into 2 4-post extensions with the spare slotted “screws” on the ends, and when I removed the cover from the Covert Companion, I screwed these onto the existing posts and slid all the tools I’d previously installed onto my extension posts. I then removed the extension posts from the Covert Companion and assembled the turning tool expansion pack, before reattaching them and sliding the original tools back into position, removing the extension posts and putting the cover back on, which made the job a breeze!
I did the same thing! Lol! He makes it look incredibly easy, but that's what he does. My assembly included a lot more swearing, but to no fault of the CC.
So glad you included spare parts: specifically the longer screws. I noticed you end up with a spare lanyard hook as well as it doesn't fit with the expansion pack (as in the video). But, if you sandwich the lanyard hook between the long screw head and the rubber o-ring, the lanyard hook ends up on the outside of the CC with enough tension to swivel freely, but not so loose that it's wild. I put mine on the same side as the pivot point of the expansion set, which incidentally is also the side I put my SSF padlock bypass driver. I guess the finishing touch will be the mag connect. This is such a slick kit. Love it!
Nah, because they will use the same pins they use now, in the same housings they use now, and it is going to be a lot faster to rake the lock than a user who assembled the core with the wrong pin order will take to figure out what went wrong with his lock he can't unlock at all.
I wanted a deep hook and a couple of thinner rakes (.015) so I modified a couple of them from Sparrows. I cut them to the same length as the supplied picks and cut the radius and added the .177 diameter hole. Perfect for me now.
Thanks so much mate! I just assembled my brand new covert companion and lever expansion, I couldn’t help myself and popped a master lock twice during assembly with a comb - can’t wait to pick properly! Love your work! Cheers from Down Under 🇦🇺
Just got mine put together. It's a really neat kit, and the utility is phenomenal for its pocket footprint vs cost. I had to keep pausing and rewinding the video to get the tool order just right. I know, you said we can do it however we like, but I liked it fine with the order you had them in when you put the first companion together. The little rubber tubey guy fit perfectly first try. I'm really pleased with this! Guess I wasn't the only one who sent you a comment or an email requesting this expansion. Thank you!
Same, although I was also trying to put on the nano scissors and pry bar and magnet on at the same time. Taken apart and reassembled three separate times. I did not own a BIC pen either because I'm a pen snob so there was even more challenge involved. I eventually just had to screw it on one side at a time, and leave the other two on the outside of the keysmart lololol
Just assembled mine. Added the padlock bypass tool. Awesome. I will probably play around with the spacing as mine doesn't mesh as well as yours. It does close though and mostly meshes. Straightening the tools that seemed to bend with the first mesh might help too. Better light. Better eyes. I'll get it mashing nice. Awesome. Thank you.
As stated in another comment below, if you are going to build it as prescribed here, make sure you use the smaller of the screws in the kit. For reasons that I'm sure made sense in my first build, I used the longer screws. I also had the key ring loop and a couple extra spacers for balance. With the expansion there is about of spacer worth of loose play in the tools, as I have it set. I'm sure it will be fine. I just need to remember the "safe place" I put the extra parts so I can adjust. If nothing else the extra parts adaptability makes these tool top notch.
Ordered mine been carrying my covert companion for a long time now so excited for this. Also ordered me some patches ! Thanks a million for a great product and walk through.
I ordered mine early this morning. I will just say this I am IMPRESSED to say the least at how quick y'all were at getting orders out. I got an email confirming my order and literally 2 minutes later got another email about my shipping information. Thank you so much!
Ordered the covert companion and then of course noticed the turning tools so had to order those and wait to assemble everything but was totally worth it! Went really smooth thanks to this step by step video. Very much appreciated and I love your content.
I ordered a little late but it shipped on release day and arrived a day earlier than estimated. I used a couple of bobby pins bent open to a 90 degree angle to keep the tools together from my existing covert companion setup when I disassembled it so the whole thing went back together more quickly. The thumb swing action is really nice and smooth even when the other tools are tightened down pretty snugly. I also really like how, even with the swing arm down, the tensioners are still captive at one end and in the middle. You have to gently lift one end at an angle and slide the tool free. There's little chance of them falling out unless you are in the middle of trying to get one out while taking a speedbump fast enough to require realigning your suspension. It really is an inspired design.
Have always admired your manipulative skill/manual dexterity, and I am no slouch in that arena - but when it came time to put everything together it took me about 10 minutes and several tries. Now that its right - I absolutely LOVE this product! 👍👍
I’ve seen a few failed Kickstarter pick sets like this and I’ve been happiest with the Covert Companion. Least complicated yet the most versatile and functional. I’m glad I bought 3.
It's pretty impressive how this thing covers pretty much all the common tool needs including bypassing and decoding in one unit. Gonna have to get one.... after the initial flood has abated somewhat.
Ah well I just went and ordered a Covert Companion and the Turning Tool expansion pack a moment ago. Looking forward to learning some tricks to impress my friends here in Ireland and also glad to help support the channel too.
having used this video to put my set back together with the set I would recommend flipping the traveler hook the other way as it impedes the deployment of the turning tool set. not moving it to the other side but simply have the hook facing the other way when installing. I took that side back apart, flipped the hook and now it is perfect.
Thank you for the tip. Did your traveler hook look the same as in the video? Mine is completely different. I posted a photo of the differences on Flickr.
No need to take Companion completely apart to install this pack. Just remove the bar on the screw side, add the expansion pack cross bar with notch, then posts, then the rubber spacers & assembled stack of turning tools with swing out arms. Keep the expansion pack items in the same order & orientation as shown in this video. Replace the black cross bar with screws & you're good to go in minutes! The O-rings under the short screws are not necessary & this allows an extra turn or two to engage more threads, yet everything moves freely with slight drag. I also put a spot of blue (removeable) locktite on each post threads & tightened snugly, but not too much.
Dang, I should have watched this before I got an extra expansion pack. No matter I’m glad to support a RU-vidr I’ve been watching for years. It’s not often you see someone that is so generous with there products.
PIcked up my Companion and the Expansion. Was waiting for the expansion to come out to pick up both. I ordered them before knowing this video was up so now it's nice to know I have a step by step guide to building my Companion.
Got mine today. I'd like to mention the high quality of the tool. And I want to mention the professional service at covert instruments. An hour after I placed the order it went to the post office. It took 12 days to Germany. I never got an email before that the article has been delivered and they wanted to go sure I really received it. Great. Big recommendation.
I don't know if you've done this already, but I would love a video about what every tool on the Covert Companion does. In other videos I've seen you use the standard hooks, rakes, jigglers and dimple picks (and The Tool That Bosnian Bill and You Made™ of course), but I've no idea what you would use the ward picks or comb picks for. I would be really interested in seeing an in-depth video about your tools and when to optimally use them. Thank you
Warded picks are used on warded locks. Keys for ward locks have a large flag-ish fin on the end, that must be shaped correctly to pass around solid blockages (called wards) in the lock in order to open it (think the stereotypical treasure chest key). They have largely fallen out of favor in recent decades, so you typically only see them on cell doors and antique padlocks. Comb picks are specifically for an exploit of pin tumbler locks that occurs if the pins are too short for the chambers they are in, allowing all the key pins to be pushed up past the sheer line. When this is the case, you can slip the comb pick in, shove up on all the pins, and turn to open. Basically no skill (beyond knowing what models of lock came with this flaw from the factory) and about as fast as using the actual key. LPL has demonstrated both before, but it might be difficult to tell from titles and thumbnails when a comb pick is used.
For people who want to know, bought mine the day this came out and got it in the mail today, in Canada. Pretty good! Also, such a useful product! Thanks!
I like how its a "turning tool expansion" kit. Its very capitalistic. A man after my own heart. As a layman with zero experience in locks ive been convinced by these videos to buy your product. I'll be picking locks by the weekend. Especially you Masterlock!
That's a lot of tools in a small space, and it looks well designed. I have a covert set of pocket tools that I like, but the quality and design makes me want a Covert Companion.
Hey, thanks LPL! I just got the covert companion in the mail, assembled it as per your video, and managed to LP my first crappy dollar-store lock! When it started turning, I couldn't believe it!
The arrangement of the main tools in this video is different than the first assembly video (not speaking of the present expansion to which this video was made for). Also please note that the screws to put this together at the end have short and longer versions, mixing these up will drastically change your experience, lol.
Great instructions as usual! I had trouble with the final move of flipping the top and used small pieces of painters tape to keep the two stacks together. Really helped.
I received my covert instruments multi pack with turning tool expansion few days ago. Assembled it last night, Just sat down with a lock and had it open in about minute! Ok it was a master lock but hey what fun. Thanks for the tool!
Okay I'm sold. Edit: about half of what I paid for my cover companion, but it is now a fully functional set. That's just too cool man. Now I don't have to carry any other extra pieces I could misplace. Edit again: Yo it already shipped! It's only been like a few hours! Thanks guys!
Was finally able to put together my Covert Companion, because I was waiting to do so until my turning tool expansion pack came. One question I have is, what do you recommend for trying to attach the Mag Connect attachment (the piece that looks like a pull tab), when using the LPL setup of the Covert Companion? Would appreciate some advice.
I'm glad I saw this and the previous covert companion tool assembly videos. Two things I didn't realize was that assembly would be required for the covert companion tool and that turning tools isn't part of the original package. The covert companion tool was ordered as a birthday gift for my wife. She took interest in LPL videos. I was just going to leave it in the shipping package and then take it out the night before her birthday and wrap it while she was sleeping. I just ordered the turning tools expansion pack so when that arrives I'll assemble the companion tool then with time to spare before her birthday. I know it shouldn't take long, but later in the evening I'm usually tired and these eyes of mine aren't what they used to be.
I need to watch the assembly process on a bigger screen, closer up lol... I had to rewind a few times and STILL I need to start over with a less exhausted brain later on. Super stoked tho- it's an amazing toolkit. Seven thumbs up! *Update- a rested mind works wonders, and I assembled it today with no trouble. Opened several of my random locks with it. I love it. It's my new favorite object. 17 thumbs up!!
Well got it together after something falling on the table and everything exploded, lost 2 spacers have no spares now. But it’s together now! Awesome addition to a great tool! 👍🏻👍🏻
I decided to make a reference to you in one of my books while they are having to pick a lock! Also gosh darn prima facie evidence law stopping me from owning lock picks!
Just got and put together my expansion! This thing is rad as hell and fixes my one issue with the CC, which was having to separately have and dig out turning tools when I use it.
As some people in the comments have already pointed out, import laws to europe add a very hefty fee of anywhere between 15-30 USD (price varies depending on the country) for importing these products that has to be paid upon delivery, it would be really nice if an option was found to have this price be paid with the order, and ideally, be lowered if possible. Furthermore, when I got my own covert companion in, one of the stand-offs/posts was not threaded on the inside (It has since been tossed out.) It could be a one time production mistake, but it might not hurt to look into this.
So I’ve had this tool for about a week now. I’ve picked a couple master locks no big deal a brisk wind will blow any of them open. I picked a couple American locks and an Abus 83. Conclusion this is a very capable tool. An entire kit that fits in your coin pocket. My only gripe was it took a little to adjust my picking style but once you get past that small issue it really is a fantastic tool. Picks are very durable and I appreciate that. I’ve used a couple jack knifes in the past and the steel felt much cheaper in comparison. I can’t say enough GOOD things about the covert companion. Thanks LPL.
![[1366] Assembling the Covert Companion Turning Tool Expansion Pack!](/img/logo.svg){kind=logo}
