Lifting individual pins

[404notfound]

I have the SouthOrd PXS-14 set, so I've got a decent variety of picks, but I still seem to have trouble lifting individual pins without accidentally pushing other pins up along with it. This is usually a problem on my locks that have six pins, or even with a smaller number of pins if I repin my practice lock and put them towards the back. Is there some technique for making sure that you're only getting at the one pin that you want?

[Wizer]

Not really, You have to keep feeling the pins, and sooner or later you´ll get it.
A smaller tension wrench or different position of it might give you more room to manouver in the lock.

[Jaakko]

Use different style hook pick or some other tool that has a good curve and enough "lifting capacity" to it

[JK_the_CJer]

Some folks disagree with it, on the grounds that you may bend the pick, but I like to lessen disturbing other pins by levering off a convenient ward in the keyway. If this isn't your cup of tea, at least try the levering action instead of a lifting action and see if it helps. Also, if the tension wrench is getting in the way and forcing you to use your pick higher in the keyway than necessary, try tensioning from the top of the keyway (in front of the first pin). Also remember that the pick can be twisted diagonally and doesn't have to be straight up-and-down to make pins lift. Another thought: it may only seem like there are too many pins in a small space in there. The presence of many pins (esp. as a relative beginner) can cause a phenomenon I refer to as "keyway chaos" that can cloud your judgement of what it actually going on in there. Try removing all but the last two and seeing if the same problem occurs. If it does, change up your lifting style, tensioner, or pick until its resolved then add the others back in.

[Myrdin]

I generally use the half-diamond, start my way at the back and go forward looking for the binding pin. It works well enough for me, but I am still somewhat of a noob. If I have trouble with that sometimes I will use my short hook, but these days I find myself using my half-diamond and snake shaped rake the most.

[WolfSpring]

I'm still a begginer, but am getting good at Tumbler locks and wanted to try lifting I found a technique that you take the tip of the lifter and put it in the valley of the key and put a mark on the pick that lines up with the shoulder of the key so when you put the lifter in the lock you can see where each pin is and practice from there. It was a huge help to get me to "feel" the pins. Still not good at lifting, but I can push an individual pin in any position, just can't seem to bind the right one.