Zieh Fix: Video Review for The Ultimate Tool to Break a Lock
April 15, 2024
Zieh Fix Core Pulling Review
I was introduced to the Zieh Fix tool recently. After 11 years of being a locksmith and working with many other tools. The Zieh Fix is a destructive tool. Meaning; it will break the cylinder in order to allow access. In contrast to a “clean” entry, using this tool will make you chancing the cylinder with a new one.
It is an alternative to what we locksmiths call “drilling a lock”. When I was first exposed to the Zieh Fix, I was amazed by the concept. Breaking a cylinder or its core in minimum effort. I decided to try it and order a kit to ad to my toolbox. Before I could try it with my client’s onsite, I had to review it. See if and how it works. So here it is.
Build quality
The Zieh Fix is a well-made tool. It is robust and heavy. The screws looks of great quality as well. I was working before with big locksmith’s brands that provide you with a tool that will not last the month. Therefore, when I received the kit I was pleasantly surprised. Anything else in the kit is well made as well.
The Zieh Fix manufacturer seats in Germany. As I had few inquiries on the purchase process and few questions after, their customer service was great. Impeccable really. You can jump on their website within business hours and start chatting to a real person straight away. In an era of companies using bots and avoid human contact like fire, this was very welcome. The product was delivered quickly and invoice was emailed even quicker. Let us move to the product.
Driving the screws
I watched few instructional videos online regarding the Zieh Fix and how to use it. Driving the screws into the cylinder never seems a problem. The truth is, it is harder than it looks. You will have to use 2 screws to pull the core out. The yellow screw is the driver. I will make way for the red screw, the puller, to be inserted in.
The yellow screw did not penetrate the cylinder easy. I use a Makita 18v, a strong drill, but still it was struggling with inserting the screw in. A stronger drill will not help, as I assume the screw will snap with the force of a powerful drill. If the screw snaps inside the cylinder, you will have a problem. A serious one. If the screw snaps in the cylinder, you will not be able to insert another screw it. Meaning, you cannot use the Zieh Fix on that cylinder anymore.
In addition, you can no more pick the lock as the cylinder destroyed. That is a problem. You will have to be firm but gentle. After driving the yellow screw in, I went and drove the red screw – the core puller – into the cylinder. That also was not smooth. The pulling screw is thicker and its entry into the cylinder is tight. It went in at the end, but I can assume that a cylinder with a tighter key hole will be more challenging.
Pulling the cylinder
As I was working with locks for many years, I had my doubts regarding this tool. I know how a lock mechanism work and I was very sceptic for the pins or cylinder body to break in order for the core to be pulled out. I was very skeptical. Once the red pulling screw was inserted in the cylinder, I mounted the Zieh Fix on it and started pulling it out using the wrench provided.
The Zieh Fix was turning with no effort. I was surprised. The cylinder’s core was coming out of the cylinder as it was made out of butter. Smooth and easy. The pins just went through the cylinder’s body with no problem. Within less than a minute, the core was out. The lock I was using was of high quality and well made. It was no challenge for this tool. I would give it 5 stars out of 5 for the pulling. Apparently, German engineering is German engineering after all. Wow.
Conclusion
The Zieh Fix is very capable. Again, it is well-made and quality tool. For the locksmith onsite, having his clients breathing down his neck, must be having a successful entry, I would recommend to be careful with this tool. You will have to make sure your drill is strong enough to drive the screws in. You will really have to make sure the screw will not snap in the cylinder. If it does, it is a major problem. Once the right screw inserted, the core pulling should not be a problem.
The cylinder’s “furniture” that is the handle and cylinder cover, could be an issue. You will need the face of the cylinder exposed for the Zieh Fix to pull the core. So pay attention for that too. Otherwise, it is a great tool. It will cover some circumstances on site, but not all. No tool will cover all scenarios, so that is ok. It is an expensive piece of equipment but I would say its a must have in any locksmith tool box. It will prevent you from going into very sticky situation that might come with drilling of the lock instead. We all know how bad drilling of a lock can go. This will be a great alternative for most cases. I am excited to get this tool out and test in on my client’s locks. You should be too. Enjoy.
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