Recognise pin states

[alchemists_dream]

Hi All,

So i've just got some new picks and have a couple of questions. I can pick a padlock and safe box lock easily enough, but the pins in the cylinder lock i've bought are much lighter sprung and it's challenging. I've also picked my front door lock, which is a night latch mortice, and didn't seem to have any security pins.

I get to the situation where I think I have set all the pins but the lock doesn't open. I'm guessing i've got a false set from a security pin but have not been able to identify it yet. Even if I try pushing the pins further up, i'm not really getting any feedback that they are setting again. Perhaps I'm not raising them enough? I'd love to see someone else pick it sucessfully so I can get feedback on if it has security pins, where they are and how they were overcome.

What sort of pick do you recomend? I seem to have most success with the diamond and hook picks.

The lock i'm practicing on is this one, which I thought wouldn't have security pins but it's proving tougher than expected.

Securefast 6-Pin Euro Cylinder Lock 35-35 (70mm)
http://www.screwfix.com/p/securefast-6-pin-euro-cylinder-lock-35-35-70mm-polished-nickel/50415

[gloves]

Hi All,

So i've just got some new picks and have a couple of questions. I can pick a padlock and safe box lock easily enough, but the pins in the cylinder lock i've bought are much lighter sprung and it's challenging. I've also picked my front door lock, which is a night latch mortice, and didn't seem to have any security pins.

I get to the situation where I think I have set all the pins but the lock doesn't open. I'm guessing i've got a false set from a security pin but have not been able to identify it yet. Even if I try pushing the pins further up, i'm not really getting any feedback that they are setting again. Perhaps I'm not raising them enough? I'd love to see someone else pick it sucessfully so I can get feedback on if it has security pins, where they are and how they were overcome.

What sort of pick do you recomend? I seem to have most success with the diamond and hook picks.

The lock i'm practicing on is this one, which I thought wouldn't have security pins but it's proving tougher than expected.

Securefast 6-Pin Euro Cylinder Lock 35-35 (70mm)
http://www.screwfix.com/p/securefast-6-pin-euro-cylinder-lock-35-35-70mm-polished-nickel/50415

Hello and welcome

First a couple questions: can you successfully count the pins inside a lock using only a hook pick? Can you successfully detect and pick locks with security pins? How proficient are you with SPP?

Using the diamond pick would be of no help since at best raking with it would just false-set the security pins, but then you have to properly set them with a hook pick.
So your choice is obviously the hook pick. It may also be that 6 pins are probably too many to begin with, so you may want to practice over and over with locks without security pins and fewer than 6, then move to locks with security pins and then increase pin count and/or pin type, like spool pins < mushroom pins < serrated pins.

IMHO watching your cylinder being picked does make nothing other than letting you know it's possible to do, but the feeling and skill involved has to be yours in order to replicate the feat. Build it by reading how to properly set security pins (tons of reading in the FAQs and other board pages) and practice a lot, as expected as it may sound.

Cheers

[alchemists_dream]

First a couple questions: can you successfully count the pins inside a lock using only a hook pick? Can you successfully detect and pick locks with security pins? How proficient are you with SPP?

I can count the pins using a hook pick. Have have never detected a security pin, I've only ever successfully picked one door lock (my front door) and that was 5 pin and didn't seem to have security pins. I've literally only been learning to pick for a few days and bought the lock mentioned above to practice on.

I find that the hook pick can get a bit caught up in the keyway, so i'm using the smaller variety which I think might be called a half hook.

Can you recommend a lock that would make good practice that I can get from screwfix? I can see which are 5 pin, but no idea how to see if they would have security pins or if they can be disassembled to take pins out.

I was thinking of buying the practice challenge lock I saw mentioned somewhere on here, but it appears to only be available from the USA.

Thanks

[gloves]

I find that the hook pick can get a bit caught up in the keyway, so i'm using the smaller variety which I think might be called a half hook.

It happens on some tight/restricted keyways. Sometimes you might use the same pick angled and use it slightly more sideways than upright.

Can you recommend a lock that would make good practice that I can get from screwfix? I can see which are 5 pin, but no idea how to see if they would have security pins or if they can be disassembled to take pins out.

I was thinking of buying the practice challenge lock I saw mentioned somewhere on here, but it appears to only be available from the USA.

I had a quick look at the website you mentioned and I think that a cheap practice lock would be any of the brass padlocks. For the moment avoid the "high security" ones or those which are too small (ex. 20mm) because they use less pins. You might also consider having a look at your hardware stores in order to save on shipping.
Also consider the possibility that you still haven't built a fine feeling and may improve your drill on the locks you have.

Cheers