How do I work the Lock Aid Gun, Auto Push Button Gun...

[activematx]

Could someone help me on how to work this gun. Documentation? Video? Images. I have tried, and tried, and tried. For hours.... but am unable to open ANY lock. Help me learn, thanks..




By the way, if I am wasting my time with this piece of equipment, could someone reccomend a better one than this. SOmething simple to just open up normal locks on doors. Thanks.

[zechking]

i bought it too,it's not ez for a basic learner.
i think an electric lockpick gun can help u.

[activematx]

ummm...

Well, I can't afford to buy a electric pick gun. I just want some assistance on how to work this gun. Yes, I am a begginer, but I am very good with my hands. I learn quick. Could someone just tell me on how to work this gun?

Thanks,

[bobgolding]

Actually the manual pick gun was designed specifically for amatuers to use, and it does work reasonably well. Most (though certainly not all pro fessionals consider the electrics to be over priced, and not much more effective than the manual models. However, as far as specifics, you didn't tell what type of lock you tried it on, which matters, Obviously, it will only work on pin tumblar locks, NOT ON WAFER LOCKS, and it works most effortlessly on the cheaper models (Kwickset &clones). Back when I bought my Lock-Aid brand gun it took a while to pick my first cylinder with it, but it became easy quickly. Obviously it helps greatly if one has a backround in manual picking, as maniulating the tension wrench is similar. As far as "how to work the gun", adjuct tension wheel on gun to the mid point of its range, stick needle slightly below the bottom of the pins in the lock, such that it can drop down slighltly, then kick up into the pins, keep the needle as parallel as possible to the shearline, apply light but varied tension (I sort of bounce the tension level as I trigger the gun), after oh, 20 pulls of the trigger or so, release tension slowly, and count clicks as the pins drop. You can try increasing the guns tension setting, decreasing tension wrench pressure, etc, and then repeat the "release pressure and count clicks" to tell if you are making improvemnets or not.
Oh, and I suggest setting upa Yahoo groups account and joining the locksports group....you may find more info there.

[skeleton_keys]

Electric lockpicks are terrible, in my opinion. Dang things sound like chainsaws before you get them in the lock, and like really *angry* chainsaws once they're in.

Besides which, there's something about the needle on those. . .it seems like no matter how much you adjust the throw, it's either moving too much to be really effective, or too little to. . .well, be really effective. If you have to have a lockpicking aid, I'd use the gun, but then, I'd rather just manually pick the lock anyways.

[MagicWhiteGuy]

depends on what youre going for. i dont think youll get much satsfaction out of picking a lock with an electric pick.. but then if you want to steal things or you just locked your keys somewhere stupid.. then i guess youd be happy just getting whatever you want thats inside whatever the lock locks.. haha.. angry chainsaw.. made my day..

[Xplosion84]

The basic idea of the pick gun is to hit all the driver pins to hit the hull pins pass the shear line at once while you put tourch on the tension wrench. Sooner or later the cylinder will turn. It's a real pain in the donkey for begginers and takes a lot of practice to get it right. But it does work well and saves the time of picking each pin individually.


-peace

[Zelgadis]

The secret to be successful picking locks using a pick gun is to not apply any tension until you have hitted the pins.

The idea is:

Step 1: You hit the pins
Step 2: You apply tension 0.5 seconds after you hit the pins.

It´s just a timing question.

Greets,

Zelgadis.

[mrpotato]

Sorry, but this seemed like the best place to post this. I'm selling my manual lock-aid pick gun for $65 shipped. It has been used only a couple times. NO DAMAGES WHATSOEVER. It is in great condion and has the box, lifetime warranty card, 3 attachable picks, and tension wrench, and manuel. It comes with everything. It is the exact same one on lock picker's mall. That was exactly where I got it.

If anyone is interested, plz respond to this and I will arrange something
Thanks

[The Manipulator]

Could someone help me on how to work this gun. Documentation? Video? Images. I have tried, and tried, and tried. For hours.... but am unable to open ANY lock. Help me learn, thanks..

Right here, they're not for beginners.

viewtopic.php?t=164

[DrDave]

I agree with a lot of the replies to using a Manual Pick-Gun…. I bought mine in the late ‘80’s and I have not used it since about a month after buying it!

I came up with, what I consider, a VAST Improvement on the “Tip” used in both Powered & Manual Picking tools.

First, remove the tips that come with the Pick-Gun”. Find or buy a set of Large baby diaper pins, with large “Wire-Cutter(s)” cut the pin so the pointed end and the “loop” plus about 1/4 inch is left. You may have to use pliers or needle-nose to squeeze the “Loop”. This now becomes your “Tip”. Mount it into the tool, putting the screw thru the “Loop”.

This VASTLY improves the action of the Gun. In reading other “Posts” advise to file-down & smooth-out the tip… This however is my improvement & works on about 90% of locks that will open via a Pick-Gun.

[Trist0r]

I agree with a lot of the replies to using a Manual Pick-Gun…. I bought mine in the late ‘80’s and I have not used it since about a month after buying it!

Not to say the techniques and modifications mentioned above aren't required (can't say that since I haven't tried them and each of us finds their own way) but I, with growing success, use a Brockhage BPG-10 and haven't modified the tool, nor the needles, in any way. First week I had it I opened locks I could not hand pick, ie: the Papaiz CR45 (not the 100/45, they open with a Majestic short hook). And locks I have trouble single pin picking, ie: Schlage max-security (http://www.schlagelock.com/main/tradeprof/grade.htm) deadbolts. (I can open them, sometimes, with a short hook but always, within a few minutes, with the BPG-10.) Various other cheap deadbolts open with a few clicks. Some padlocks are easy and some not but with patience most will eventually open. Some never will. Not with a snap-gun nor with single pin picking. (Those must be broken locks :))

Pick snap-gun devices do take practice as someone mentioned above. Within days I snapped two of the three needles that shipped with the BPG-10 -in half. I immediately ordered three extra sets of needles but am, two months later, still using the third original. I learned to keep the needle straight when snapping. As to the 'always apply light tension' rule ... it doesn't always apply. There are times when after trying to open a lock using light tension with various torque tools I switch to moderate torque pressure and that works better. Other times, as I snap, I rock the torque tool allowing various degrees of tension. Now when I practice on my various at-home locks I single pin pick them first, then snap-gun pick each one so I learn both methods of manipulation. The only locks I have not been able to single-pin pick but snap open in seconds are my Best I-core's. (I keep trying though so perhaps one day I will.)

As to the tension wheel on the pick-gun itself I haven't found a need to use anything other than the minimum. (Though I'm sure I'll eventually learn/discover a use for the heavier settings. I learn something new near every day.) Perhaps someone here can elaborate on any use of heavy tension within the snap-guns themselves?

In any case I've rambled on enough. Short of it is keep the snap-gun straight in the keywell and it will take care of the pins. Your job is to work the torque tool(s). Old cliche but with snap-guns, the BPG-10 anyway, practice does make perfect .. or as near to perfect as a substitute for a proper key gets. Practice patience too.

BTW: I'll give that baby-pin alternative a try too. Thanks for the tip, DrDave.

[crazytxdude86]

I've only herd bad things about pick guns, there expensive, break easy, and break the locks. Basically that there a pos.

[Varjeal]

The Majestic pcik gun (I have two) I think is by far the best manual pick gun for the dollars involved.

Any beginner with a half hour of actual training can effectively use this tool. I know because I'm proof.

As with picking all locks, tension is the true key (pun intended) to effective picking. I owned my first pick gun for 4 years of hard use before something it in finally broke (it still works) but because of the expense of shipping, turn around time, etc. I decided to just buy a new one. And I have never "broken" a lock with it either.

I've used it on both pin tumbler and wafer locks and have found it extremely effective (though I pick most wafer by hand).

It does take a certain amount of finesse, and most of the time like I read before I use it mostly on the lightest tension except in special cases.

It kind of defeats the purpose of "sport" picking though.

Just my experience.

[flutie best pick around]

dont waste your time with this tool its o.k. if you caint pick a lock manualy well????????????????????????