ARCHIVE 2003-2013 Introduce yourself HERE if you are new. :)

[PondRacer]

Hi. Found this forum a few days ago, left a post, but realized that I left it in the wrong forum. Oops. Forgive me for my mistake.

Anyway. My experience in picking was 1) picking myself back into my house when I got locked out, using just a letter opener (the lock was so worn that practically anything, even a GM car key, could open it) more than 10 years ago, and 2) about 8 years ago, making a pick from brick strap, and trying to pick my own lock (was not successful, because I didnt know at the time to temper the head afterwards).

So, that's me.

PondRacer

[Rancor]

New to site. I've been into lockpicking for 5-6 months now. I have a 9 pcs. HPC set a locksmith friend gave me to start out with. I think it was a 8pcs. and he added a double sided tension so I can pick cars too. He showed me how to rekey locks awhile back and just today he showed me a easy way to master keys. There is a harder mathmatical way, but he showed me a easy way for now. I have rekeyed dozens of locks so far for family and friends. My friend also gave me a .003 LAB pin kit and a buch of shims to get started. The kit came with springs already. He also gave me and inverter for my van. He has an uncle who will sell me a key machine for $150. I'm gonna do this soon.

I do remodeling work right now. I have my own company, but I am in the process of trying to convert my business over to a mobile locksmith company. I already have a '03 Ford E-250 so I have a good vehicle for it. Just need to get a few more tools and an occupational license. My friend turned me on to the NLAA so I can get a bond. Then I guess I just need to place an few ads. Figure I'd do lockouts, rekeying, fixing B&E damage, replacing/upgrading locks, etc. I would do auto, residential & commercial. My friend tells me I will make better or atleast as good money as I make now. With less hasle and backbreaking work to boot. I'm all for it! I love picking and locksmithing in general and I can get paid to do it, awsome! If you have any advise for someone new to this field please feel free to post or email me. If you post all can learn though.

Well with that said, hello everyone. Looks to be a very informative site. I'm sure I will be able to learn a lot here. I hope so atleast.

-rancor

[Varjeal]

Greetings and welcome to all.

[Gecko]

Hey,

I just found this forum 'bout a week ago, I'm new to picking and I haven't picked my first lock yet (I don't even have a set yet) but it's something I do want to pursue. Great to be here!

[Pheniox]

Good to have ya here, and good luck with your first lock

[okiewind]

I'm a 31P, Microwave Computer Operator Maintainer...aka Long haul communications.

Army is the oldest and the finest.

[hkspwrsche]

I'm new and kinda old too. I used to try at this prety well about 10 or 15 years ago but, have found that I'm more than rusty and maybe some of my early try's were luck. I'd like to learn the skill of it all.
Thanks,
Harold

[Alexandros]

Hi everybody,I'm Alex and i'me new to And i wonna say greeting to all lockpickers and other people on this forum.I started picking a few weeks ago because,when i visited this site,and i saw all the information and pictures i was fascinated and inspirated,and i began to lockpick myself.I've also read the book 'The secrets of lockpicking'and now i understand how lockpicking works.A few days ago i saw the pictures on the forum about an electric pickgun.He had made his electric pickgun with a plastic pvc-tube and a motor so it vibrates.That was a wonderfull idea but i couldn't make it because i had no motor and no plastic tube.So i had an other idea for the people like me, who haven't got the materials to do it.You all know the mini elevators that you can by(those who work with two 1.5v batteries) from almost every toyshop.1) detach the propeler from the front and put an clothes peg on the front(uneven weight so it vibrates).2)Now take a long needle an tape it at the back of the elevator with plastic tape.Now if you turn the elevator on it begins to vibrate real good.If you wanna believe it or not,but i opened 2 simple pin tumbler locks in a few minutes.And that gave me a very good feeling
I will have a picture soon of this elevator-pickgun seeya alex

[technik]

hi Alexandros, welcome! congrats on your discovery, it is obvious that you have found the right hobby for you. Read the MIT guide also, as it is much bette than secrets of lockpicking (search for MIT). I look forward to seeing these pictures, as your gadget sounds quite fascinating! Obviously you are going to be a valued member on this site.

Good luck with your picking, and have fun!

Technik

[chrisj]

Why hello there Ladies and Gents. Pleasure to meet you, although I have been lurking here for quite some time. I have been picking locks off and on since I was 16 (I am now 24, with about a year of "real" experience). I found some of my mothers old tools and lock rekeying kits and was hooked. I am an amateur, able to easily pick the basic locks, and as such still can't pick my American 5200 padlock.... *mutters and goes back to practicing*

I believe its the challenge that attracted me, I work mostly with Computer Security, so this is the logical extension. Anyhow, I look forward to contributing to the community, or just learning.

[Varjeal]

Interesting stories. Welcome all.

[Muchacho Jan]

Hi there,
just wanted to say hello right now. I'm a new member to this scene for 2 months or so and just discovered this new threat *ashamed*. First of all I have to say sorry 'cause my English isn't that good. Hope you guys still get me. Since I bought my first pickset 4 months ago, I picked several pad locks and pin tumbler locks even the more difficult ones with mushrooms or spool pins in it ,like ABUS or BKS sells, and it makes me kind of proud. The most surprising thing was, when I first picked my own homedoor successfully that I now manage to do in less than 30 seconds.
Already made a few tools myself and I'm glad to be a member of this great community cause I'm now improving my skills nearly day by day.
Last thing: I wondered if there are any other Germans here?

Keep on tension

[Houdinez]

Hey what's up peoplez. I'm Houdinez (pronounced WHO dee NEZ). Anywayz I'm from New York City (HARLEM!) and am also from the Superhandz forum: http://www.superhandz.com . Yes lockpicking is a hand sport and is featured in the site and I, myself am interested in studying the art of lockpicking and will hope to somehow contribute to this community in some grand form or matter....

1

[cable4256]

hey, i just joined since i only found this website know.

[reg]

yeah, I postet before, but now I'll get round to introducing myself:

Hi I'm reg from Germany, I am member of the SSDeV http://www.lockpicking.org as those of you who have read some of my other posts might have guessed.

I run a local sportsgroup though I've only been picking a few month.
Took part in 2003s Dutch Open after only a month or two of picking experience. Didn't come out last, which made me happy.

First worked with a Majestic set, then made some tools myself, added some HPC Series 2000 Picks to my set (for narrow keyways - I remember the Lips at the Dutch Open) made more tools myself (I don't have a lot of bought tension tools, I always make them from windscreen wiper blade and for stiffer ones from allen wrenches) .

Preferred Techniques:
Home Picking / leasure training: setting pins individually with a hook or diamond

in championships: rake first, then set remaining pins


Cheers,

reg