Lat-17 Southord Pick Gun problems..

[Demonithese]

I've been at it for nearly 5 hours. I've just started as a hobby, and am beaing myself over the head by how poorly i've done so far.

Not ONE pick i have. well.. picked. I thought the pick gun would be the easiest place to start, and have yet to feel that sense of accomplishment that comes with a successfully picked lock.

I have, in this order:

1) Applied pressure in the direction needed with my tension wrench
2) i have placed my pick gun parallel (as best i can) under the pins
3) i have "snapped" the gun as said per directions...

and

nothing.

I've had no luck WHATSOEVER and, being a person who bodes well with instant gratification, this is frustrating. I am persistant, but it seems to no avail.

If anybody has this pick gun, or any pick gun like it, can i be told what i am doing wrong? People who's reviews i read said how easy it was to operate, for god's sake, its called, "EZ pick lock gun."

I am racticing on a schlage.. i don't know if its good or not, but the other one i have is a westnard or something.

Any suggestions will be appreciated immensly.

[jordyh]

I can't speak for myself, but i've heard from various persons that it takes some time before you open things with it.


yours,

jordy

[Jaakko]

Pump your tension pressure while snapping. That way you have better chances to open it. If you apply tension first and snap, then there is a great chance that the pins bind too much or if there is even a single security pin it jams because of the applied, constant tension.

[ju_]

I have, in this order:

1) Applied pressure in the direction needed with my tension wrench
2) i have placed my pick gun parallel (as best i can) under the pins
3) i have "snapped" the gun as said per directions...

and

nothing.

I have one of these and success is not instant.

The best lock I have been able to "SNAP" open is a yale X5 6pin (2 normal + 4 security pins). But this only happens 1 every 20 snaps or so.

The best method I have found is to apply very very very small tension, snap the LAT-17 and milliseconds later apply greater tension and the lock will turn.

It is basically a timing issue ie

1) very very very small tension
2) snap
3) turn.

Repeat until open. That is the best advise I can give you I am afraid.

Do not apply lots of tension otherwise the LAT-17 will not snap the top pins past the shear line <(is that the right terminology everyone?)

Don't forget the LAT-17 has a large button you can turn to increase/decrease the snap, adjust this to help the process.

[Shrub]

Start the adjustment screw on a low setting, wind it up every 5 or 6 snaps to a harder snap,

Pull the trigger as fast and often as you can,

Whilst pulling the trigger repeatedly bounce the tension but always keeping it varying strengths of light,

All the posts above are all good advice and youll find the way which suits you best, this is just my way, i tend to use mine to loosen off sticky pins then hand pick the lock but it is good on x5's as Ju said.

[Demonithese]

thank you all for the quick replies, when i get back from my mind-numbing job known as school, I'll tell you how it all went.

[Chucklz]

You seem to be starting out on a pick gun, without ever picking by hand? If so you will have a very hard time with tension at first. You are probably applying far too much force.

[Demonithese]

I don't think im turning the tension wrench too hard. I'm just un-sure of the technique. If i took it to a lock-smith's, would i get in trouble, asking for help?

I don't think so, as it's not illegal in CA to possess them.

When i click the gun, it moves or wobbles.. and "bouncing" the torque? i have no idea how that's supposed to work, if im holding the gun, and then moving the tension wrench at the same time.. its hard. And when i increased tension on the gun, i don't sense any difference in how hard its springing.

I'll keep at it, but if i'm doing it wrong from the start, this will be hard.

Do i click the gun ALL the way? or simply half pull the trigger, when i snap it all the way, it snaps the whole gun pretty hard. I don't know if i just wasted a bunch of money, but i need:

1) some good explanations / video
2) a good lock to practice on... house locks arn't best to start off with
3) maybe some beginner picks (like the one's suggested in a sticky).

i dunno... it seems really hard as i can't see INTO the lock and other things.

[Chucklz]

You need to pull the trigger the whole way, so that it "snaps" A common problem is inserting the blade too far into the lock, and only hitting the back of the lock, and not the pins. Measure against a key, and make a small ink mark on the blade to give maximum insertion. Insert your tension tool and pickgun to the mark, but apply no turning force on the tension wrench. Snap the pickgun, and at the moment of snapping, apply some tension.

[Demonithese]

Thanks again with the replies, I'll immedietly apply that to my practice routine on a dissasembled Schlage door lock.

Does anyone know if this is a bad starting lock? security pins?

can i go to home depot and ask for a crappy lock (krypton was it?).. and are they too expensive?


Thanks again (squared)

[Shrub]

For a beginer lock a kwickset is probably your best bet, fill out your prifile so we know what area you live and youll find it easier for us to answer your querries when it comes down to what locks to buy.

[Demonithese]

done.

[Bahrg]

when i get back from my mind-numbing job known as school,

Lol I like that education = Mind numbing

Sorry I dont have any advise on the gun tho, havent used one yet. So far I like that single pin picking feeling.

[Demonithese]

do you think taking it down to the local Lock etc.. shop will provide me with some help? or will they ignore me.

I really should buy that $30 shothord set ot Lockpickshop, but then i feel like i've just completely and utterly wasted the money on the gun.

[Shrub]

If you are a hobby picker then im sorry but yes the money on the gun was a little misdirected, a gun is of very little use to a hobby picker,

I doubt a lockie will show you how to use it, try all the above suggestions and practise again armed with the tips on how to do it.