Looking for advice on UK Repinning Kit with Security Pins

[pizarro]

Hi

Am looking for advice on getting a small repinning kit that also contains security pins for use on UK locks (hobby use to practice picking), but don't know what diameter pins are used.

the 'LAB Mini DUR-X for Security Plus'
http://www.lockpickshop.com/p-LMDSEC.html
http://www.lockpicks.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=523

looks nice, but what makes of locks wil they fit in?

the kit states they are 115 diameter Pins, but where can I find information regarding makes of locks and the pin diameters that they use?

How does this relate to the universal lab pin kits (i.e. .005 and/or .003)?


can someone please help me to understand all these pin sizes and stuff, preferably relevant to locks that I can purchase in the UK.


What I am ideally looking for is a small pin kit that ideally can fit a couple of different makes of locks, with the pins containing a range of security pins and normal pins so that I can repin a handfull of locks with different combinations to practice on. If I have to stick to one make of lock, I don't minde, but if this is the case, then I would prefer it to be a good quality make, preferably with tight tolerances (so not to let me be sloppy with my picking).




The only place I can find that sell repinning kits seem to be in america (which I don't mind ordering from), but are there any good sites based in the uk?




I look forward to and thank you in advance for all the advice and help you may give in this matter.

[Bump]

Try SKS or Duffells or Aldridge or.......? About £100 for the Souber set which contains 144 pins of 85 different sizes (12250) in 5 thou increments and are guaranteed to be compatible with european locks. Spare packets of replacement pins are £1.

You generally need an account with these companies so if you know a friendly Locksmith they might be ble to source one for you.

If you haven't already I advise you to get pinning jig(s), special tweezers otherwise if you have thick fingers like mine you will end up with most of them on your lap, plug followers and shims.

[pizarro]

Is there any place that I can look at or get more details about the set you are suggesting? is it anything like the universal .005 Lab pin kits?

http://www.lab-lockpins.com/cathome.htm

Also does the set you suggest have security pins, or would I need to try to source them as well?



Oh, and I am supprised that pin kits are so hard to find places that are selling them. So are there any nice friendly locksmiths in here as well?

[pizarro]

Oh, I have found that the Aldridge site does have an online form to request an account (a cash account and/or a credit account), but it states that you need to give a company name.

http://www.e-aldridge.co.uk/serv_enqNewAccount.htm

If I was to try to get a Cash account (i.e. I have to pay them before they will ship anything to me), does anyone know if making up a company name would get me into trubble?

I don't believe it would but would like other peoples advice.

The reason why I don't think it would get me into truble is because I beliveve that there are currently no governmental or legal requirements when setting up and trading as a locksmith in the UK (specifically England). Even though I am not planing to set up as a locksmith, I would just like to have access to the lock pinning kit.

[bobc]

General speaking Aldridge will only supply to the trade and as far as I'm aware even for a cash account you will still need to provide information that this is the case along with two trade references before they will set up an account for you.

[Bump]

General speaking Aldridge will only supply to the trade and as far as I'm aware even for a cash account you will still need to provide information that this is the case along with two trade references before they will set up an account for you.

That's about the size of it! Re-pinning is a costly business to set up initially and normally done if there is a profit to be made.

I admire your aspirations to make lock picking scenarious more varied for yourself. Another option is to save , collect or swap pins from disassembled locks, same effect and much cheaper. If all your'e going to do is to use them for picking practise it really doesn't matter greatly on the configuration of the pins as long as they create a shear line at some point.

Security pins are easily come by in various common locks.

[pizarro]

Thanks for the advice, looks like I have to reconsider all my options again then.

On a seperate note, what is considered a trade reference? if a trade account is considered a trade reference, but you can't get a trade account without trade references, isn't that a catch 22?

[Mark A]

Pizzaro

Trade references are usually existing accounts you hold, but if you do not have these an introduction/certificate proving you have recieved locksmith/lock opening training can be an alternative.

As for making up company/business details, I would point out that it is very easy for one company to checkout another and to determine whether genuine as well.

Mark

[ponsaloti]

If your after pins for re-pinning for picking practice, your cheapest option could be spend £30 on ebay,this will get you may-be 5 or 10 euro`s or cyl`s to play with, they may be used but does that matter.

[pizarro]

I specifically would like a selection of security pins, the problem with ebay is that some locks I have bought that said they had security pins in them, do not, so I thought it might be a simpler option just to purchase the security pins to put into some locks to practice on.

I do have about 2 spool driver pins, but would love to try serrated, mushroom, t-bar (similar to mushroom but not rounded, think of it as a spool pin with one end cut off), and accuire some more spool pins.

What would be great would be if someone sold a small selection of different types of pins as a kit that would fit in a common known make, so us hobby lock pickers can just repin it with different types of pins and combinations of pins to practice on. without having to feel like I'm playing the lottery waiting to see if I have a security pin in my new lock or if its the same type I have already got.

[Bump]

Try these, they certainly will have security pins in them.http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=014&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&viewitem=&item=330062649219&rd=1&rd=1