First Pick

[Neil.]

Got my first pick set today.... And then i found a lock in the backyoard to play with, and i got it open in under 1 minute im happy with myself.
http://i7.tinypic.com/24pl2iu.jpg

I dont know what reputation these lockes have, but it was eazy to open.

http://i7.tinypic.com/24pl2lk.jpg

Thanks

Neil


Shrub: Massive pics changed to links

[Neil.]

Sorry about the lardness of the image above..... heres another

[p1ckf1sh]

That is an Abus Discus Clone. If it was easy to open for you, I'd bet my shorts that it has no security pins. Picking is pretty straighforward then.

The genuine models by Abus are pinned according to the Abus policy (4spools, a serrated which might be just a straight pin in these locks due to size restrictions) and they they are considerably harder to pick.

In case you are interested, here is "cutting-the-edge" inside view on a lock of that type I have done a while back...

viewtopic.php?t=13462

[Neil.]

Yes it was eazy, the tool that i can do it very fast with is the saw?? i think its called..

I then went outside for a chanlenge and there is a union padlock, i am having troble with this, lol

[pinsetter]

Since you are new at picking I'll offer this advice:

I noticed that you said you used the "saw" pick, which I'm sure is a rake pick you are talking about. While raking is also good to learn, it is not the best way to learn.

So.....

Open the pick set you have and find a hook pick and a half-diamond pick and start using those at first. Concentrate on feeling the individual pin stacks and pick the stacks one at a time. This will teach you how to "feel" the lock. If you haven't yet done so, I'd suggest looking over some tutorials like the MIT guide to get yourself acquainted with the internal workings of the lock. I think that learning to single pin pick a lock is by far the best thing to learn first, then after you have that down fairly well raking will come much easier since you can actually have a good idea of what you are feeling and not just randomly jiggling the pick around and opening the lock by mere luck alone. And remember, pick technique is only one aspect of picking. You must also learn to manipulate tension and get good control over that as well. You'll find that tension control is VERY important, especially when you start messing with higher security or better built cylinders.

Anyway, congrats on your first pick! That first one really gave me the bug and I still love to sit and pick locks in what time I have to spare.

[Neil.]

Hey thanks for the info PINSETTER, i better get reading

[cL4y]

im not sure what theis had to do with the auto/mechanical forum....you posted in the wrong one

But nice anyway,i remember my first picked lock....back in the day

[unlisted]

Yes it was eazy, the tool that i can do it very fast with is the saw?? i think its called..

Hey, I use a "saw" tool also sometimes, but the lock does not work thereafter... (its also advanced forum talk)

[raimundo]

you may want to sand your picks, wrap some black metal cutting sand paper, not too coarse a grit around a bamboo chopstick, one of the kind with a round end and a square end, and rubber band it on there, the flat sides of the square end work on the straight edges of the pick while the corners of the square end get into the tight places,
once you smooth out the top edge of the pick, you should also try to round the sharpness off the edges of the tip and shaft. finish by sanding length wise along the shaft and tips, this should not change the profile of the pick but it will take off the sharp edges and reduce friction. finish with fine grit in the same way.