Getting started

[infonerd]

Hello, I am new to lock picking and to this forum. I bought lockpick tools after a recent interest in the inner workings of a lock and now I need things to practice on. I don't know what to get I found a master lock no 5 in my house and a uhaul lock but I have no idea how to pick these. I want something cheap that I can but at a wallmart or home depot or the like. Also I am looking into cut away locks but I don't know a reputable place to buy them from online and what type to get. I hear that kwikset is easier than schlage so I would like to confirm this. Thank you and I strive to become an expert like you.

[deception]

To get started, go and buy a Masterlock no3, and a kwikset deadbolt.

They sell them at home depot, and they are quite cheap.

[keysman]

Try here first:
http://www.lockpicking101.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1744
FAQ

[MrScruff]

How many locks will you be able to see the inner workings of as you pick them? That's my argument against cutaway locks. Your best bet is just to build your imagination. If you have no imagination, like me, this does take longer but I think the results are better as well.

As for what to pick... pick anything you can legally get your hands on but don't rely on. What I mean is, make sure you own what you pick, you'll have far less awkward conversations that way, and it is possible to cause problems with repeated picking and I don't want to hear you messed up the lock on your front door in a week.

[infonerd]

To get started, go and buy a Masterlock no3, and a kwikset deadbolt.

They sell them at home depot, and they are quite cheap.

deception, I got the No 3 a few hours after you replied. I love actually being able to pick something. I am geting quick at it and and SPP is coming along nicely.

Try here first:
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1744
FAQ

I also thank keysman for the link to that FAQ. I wish I would have seen that earlier because it might have saved you guys trouble.

How many locks will you be able to see the inner workings of as you pick them? That's my argument against cutaway locks. Your best bet is just to build your imagination. If you have no imagination, like me, this does take longer but I think the results are better as well.

As for what to pick... pick anything you can legally get your hands on but don't rely on. What I mean is, make sure you own what you pick, you'll have far less awkward conversations that way, and it is possible to cause problems with repeated picking and I don't want to hear you messed up the lock on your front door in a week.

MrScruff, I am more of a visual learner. I would like to be able to feel something and see what I am doing at the same time. At least in the learning stage. I still have a long ways to go but I think a cutaway would be really helpful. Also helpful with security pins.

Any other suggestions would be helpful. I have heard that a master lock No. 1 is easy too but it it a step up from the No. 3?

[MrScruff]

MrScruff, I am more of a visual learner. I would like to be able to feel something and see what I am doing at the same time. At least in the learning stage. I still have a long ways to go but I think a cutaway would be really helpful. Also helpful with security pins.

All right, I won't argue... much more. (I'm not just arguing for the sake of arguing though)

Visual learner or not, the best way to learn any new skill is in the context you're going to use it. For example, if you're learning a new language you shouldn't link new words and phrases to your native language, you should link them to concepts. When I learned sign language we weren't allowed to speak to prevent making unnecessary associations to English. Yes, it probably would have been easier to have someone say "this sign means this" initially, but after enough struggling and repetition I could figure out what was being said based solely on context. I didn't know what half the signs meant but I knew what people were telling me.

When it comes to picking, most of the feedback you get will be through your fingers, you will get a little feedback visually and aurally but they don't do you much good in a noisy environment or in the dark, you need to learn to understand what the pins are telling you. If you just want to see how things work check out some videos on Youtube, then you save some money and see what happens without linking it to your tactile learning. You need to be able to "see" through your fingers, to say "okay, this pin stack bounced back a little when I lifted it so it's neither set nor binding", whether you're looking at the lock or not. And yes, it's frustrating as hell when you start out but it makes the achievement that much sweeter when the lock springs open in your hands. You're obviously interested in doing this, which is the biggest step in learning anything, just keep that motivation going and things will fall into place quickly.

*climbs off soapbox* Okay, I'm done now.

[camelgd]

We need a smiley face standing on a soap box. I do my best lock preaching standing on one also!
camelgd

[MrScruff]

In retrospect, maybe I should have jumped on a lock box instead.

[Andrew21]

For learning how security pins work there's youtube!

I also really don't like cutaways.. i feel them a bit different form real locks, so think that's a waste of money

Buy a lock with spools, inform yourself a bit on that lock (how many pins, where are the security) then try to training!
good luck