Advice needed

[dj_trouble]

In my current job i do alot of maintainance on rented properties and have had to make several properties secure after the landlords have forced entry to properties once a tenant as left. I was opening to take the time and effort to learn how to lockpick so i can make myself a few extra quid and also save time having to board places up. As most uk properties have a mortice lock and yale locks i was wondering what would be the best tools to buy? I have looked at several courses but to be honest i would rather spend a little extra on better tools and practise. Any advice on what tools are best to buy in uk would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance

[unbreakable]

You'd want to get a Euro lockpick set, like this. http://www.lockpickshop.com/p-C1510.html
Southord is a respectable brand, and that looks like a good set, which should have everything you need to pick pin tumblers.

The Euro picks are slimmer than standed picks, so that they can better fit in your nasty, thin keyways (where the keys go).

Standard picks are much fatter, because like other things in the US, the keyways are much wider.

You might want to find a UK supplier, as these guys are located in th US.

The Euro picks will help you pick Pin tumblers, but fo lever locks, you'll need lever lock picks, which I know little about.

One of the UK guys can help you on selecting them, and can also point you towards a UK distributer.

Welcome to the site,
Unbreakable

[p1ckf1sh]

Tools are only as good as the guy using them. Different: Even if you have the best tools, the door will stay shut if you do not know what to do and how... If you are serious about that locksmithing I'd suppose a course is well-spent money, even if you just conside it a side job. Maybe your employee will chime in some bucks.

[dj_trouble]

yeah i know what you mean but by reading several posts on the forum most people seem to think a course is a waste of time. Im in no real rush and dont mind practising and know if i hit any problems that someone on here would help.

[Shrub]

A decent course is a must not a waste of time,

Take a look at a thread made by toomush2drink, he put it in the lockie bus section i think, that lists all the tools a uk okie would need,

Your basics would be your cylinder picks and a some curtain picks, theres lots of threads on both of these type of tools,

Look for 2 in 1's , curtain picks, decoders, 114 P+C etc etc and you should get a lot of useful posts.

[dj_trouble]

shrub dont suppose you could advice me on a course worth doing?

[Shrub]

Well have a look in the training threads and have a read of whats there,

Pinky's courses are renown for being very good as regards mortice locks but im not quite sure if hes teaching non-lockies or not right now, Safe ventures train people but again im unsure as to whether non-lockies will be taught and the same goes for Chris Belcher,

The thing is you need to be a lockie to buy the tools as well so its a visious circle really to be honest,

Have a good look at the training threads and then maybe give pinky a pm and ask him if he will sort you out,

[zeke79]

Basically you either spend a few grand on decoders for the mortise locks or you learn how to use a curtain pick which will vary on everyones own ability.There are no short cuts or easy solutions as you have to learn how to id the lock in the first place before you know how to go about opening it. If you want to learn how to open them go on a course as even the decoders take training. You will have to spend money to learn about mortice locks.

[pinky]

for the type of work that you are describing, i would guess that you come across alot of the same type of BS3621 lock and mortice lock, in most areas you will find maybe 3 locks that are most common in any area, generally those fitted by the council and housing associations.
My advice for initial tools would be;

3 decoders ( for most popular local bs mortice locks) £200 to £600 each
1 x 5g curtain pick ( capable of picking low levers) £125 to £175
1 x 7g curtain pick ( as above tool, different size) £125 to £175
1 x 5g universal 2 in 1 pick ( non curtain locks) £34 to £55
1 x 7g universal 2 in 1 pick ( as above ) as above
2 x 5g overlifters ( r/h and l/h ) £68
2 x 7g overlifters ( r/h and l/h ) £68
set 3 lever jigglers £30
set of lever wires ( shape to needs ) £10

Mica £5
hand pick set £35
electric pick gun £145
mini jigglers £ 6

good drill template and lock id kit £50 to £200

these are all wholesale prices and vat needs adding, in order to buy from wholesalers you must normaly have proof of training, otherwise some other sources exist but generally up to twice the price.

the art of picking BS locks will take not only a heap of dedicated practice, but also a thorough understanding of the lock being picked, some never achieve this as some just dont have the aptitude for it, others are naturals and pick it up quickly.

decoders are simple to use once you know how, but carry a price tag, i have a small mortgage worth of them, but invaluable for the type of work i do.

if your most common locks are ERA , Legge or union, then these are easiest to get to grips with with curtain pick.

training is no guarantee of success, but if the right training its a short cut to competence, but again at a price.

enjoy your picking, but set yourself realistic goals and a realistic time frame, and invest heavily in the correct tools, pointless buying decoders you will never use, better to research your area first and buy the correct tools from day 1, and know what to do with them.

[dj_trouble]

Thanks for the advice pink im just having a browse around net trying to find a decent course as close to Bolton as possible. Think my best bet is to go on a course and see how i go on if i cant pick things up then i will just leave it, or just keep it as an hobby. It is something that i have been interested in for awhile so wont mind spending the cash if it works out.