First Pick A Success?

[Julian-]

my first lock was an american 1205 padlock. I obviously didnt know at the time that it had all serrated pins and one spool. . Needless to say it took me more than a week to get it. I got lucky with it and that was just enough to get me hooked, even though I couldn't pick it again for quite some time. From then on I stuck with master #5's and 3's and worked my way up from there.

[Goldenboots]

So after having a 30 second success with a very dodgy & loose patio bolt lock, I turned my attention to a Master 140 Padlock. Admittedly the metal pen clip and oddly fashioned paper clip I have been using as tools has frustrated me somewhat over the last few weeks, but success ensued tonight.

I have learnt that:

- I have to use a lot more pressure than I though pushing upwards (or downwards depending on how I hold the lock) on the pins;
- the 'order' of the pins is important; and
- my hands cramp easily!

Fearing it was beginners luck, I then had some success with opening the same luck twice in under 5 minutes and have turned my attention to a cheap and nasty, no-name brand padlock that now refuses to give me my pick (a-la-paperclip) back.

Thanks for all the help & advice so far.....

[nomercy]

mine was about 30 sec to 1 min using rake method. Helps that it was a guard security little pad lock

[allergygal]

The first lock I picked was an exterior doorknob lock and I don't know what brand. I think I worked at if for about an hour, just trying to feel the pins and figure out what I was doing. Finally I gave up and tried raking it and got it open fairly quickly. After that taste of success I worked at picking the pins again and got it open that way.

That was months ago and then I recently decided to try picking again and got a Schlage deadbolt open by a combination of picking and raking. It took me about 10 minutes on the first try and now I can do it in seconds by just raking or about 1-3 minutes by picking the pins individually. When you look at the key it's no wonder I was able to do it so easily. All the pins are set very close to the same depth. It was exciting anyway, though, and it's made me want to actually get good at lock picking.

[MacGnG1]

took me till the second night i had my tools. had to get the "right tension" and it was cake from there

[NoZen]

Heh, hadn't thought about this in ages but the first lock I ever picked was a cheapo wafer lock on a cabinet in my dad's office. (Not because I wanted into the cabinet - nothing but software manuals and backups in there - just wanted to see if I could get it open. )

Used a bent paperclip and a small screwdriver, and it only took a minute or two to get it open. Took about 15 minutes to pick it closed again, thought I was never going to get it shut!

[Sage123]

I thought my first lock was a cheap master lock knock off from China, I was wrong. It's a Chateau 50 mm padlock. So far here is what I know the lock won't unlock under tension, it seems the pins have to be pushed up into position then turn the lock. I have also noticed the front pin has to be in the down position.

The 2nd lock I tried is master lock with disks rather then pins.

I think for my third attempt and lock I am going to go to home depot and purchase a dead bolt.

[ToolyMcgee]

mine was about 30 sec to 1 min using rake method. Helps that it was a guard security little pad lock

Small world, I picked my little brass Guard security in less than a min while I was reading the MIT guide on lockpicking theory. Bent safety pin and a pen clip. I had "jimmied" several wafer locks open before, but this is the one that got me addicted.

[BraveHeart.]

first lock=
5 minutes maybe

number 5 master lock
(pain in the butt)

[Newbpika]

first try today less than 10 seconds and didnt know what a tension wrench and pick were untill lastnight probabily a really "poopey in the worst way" lock but the principles the same right? i think im gonna enjoy this new hobby mcguyver style[/img]

[Monkeywjcr]

10 seconds on a combo lock at school. The way I did it was to put the wheel on the last number and jiggle the clasp. It was a master lock!

[Jaakko]

10 seconds on a combo lock at school. The way I did it was to put the wheel on the last number and jiggle the clasp. It was a master lock!

Do not pick locks that are in use or not yours.

[Monkeywjcr]

10 seconds on a combo lock at school. The way I did it was to put the wheel on the last number and jiggle the clasp. It was a master lock!

Do not pick locks that are in use or not yours.

It was a bet with my friend whose lock it was.

[jamie79512]

This time around (i was into lockpicking before but got distracted), i opened the first lock in <10 minutes. However, there were a few locks before that i couldn't open. I believe that first one opening was pretty much luck though. I took the pins out of a crappy cylinder and I am slowly adding more. I am comfortable with 3 pins, on my way to 4.

[Lockopener]

front door 10 mins was so happy i kissed my rake and tension wrench