ARCHIVE 2003-2013 Introduce yourself HERE if you are new. :)

[GWiens2001]

Been browsing for about a week or so now, but finally registered. Tried to register a few times over the last few days, but it would appear that my msn account does not recieve confirmation email from here. Used gmail, and here I am.

Been picking on and off for 25+ years (far more off than on), but strictly amateur and self taught. Hope to learn a lot more as the is a lot more info available today to those who are not locksmiths. Have always loved the challenge of locks, and have collected a few over the years.

My thanks to those of you who have posted videos, PDFs and written tutorials here. What I wouldn't have given years ago for that info!

I have only picked at home over the years due to the stigma that was associated with people who could open locks without a key. Started with bobby pins, as I could not afford a set of picks as a teenager who would not be an adult for years.

Recently got back into the swing of things when we bought a new house, then misplaced the keys. The handmade diamond rake and tension bar that had not seen use in a decade came out of my wallet and got us into the front door. I thanked my lucky stars it was only a kwikset. :-)

Decided it was time to look into learning more, and here I am. . . Staggared to learn that there is now locksport! Hot dog... Gotta see if there are any local groups in Tucson, AZ.

[chieflittlehorse]

Hello, I'm new here but been practicing locksmithing for sometime now.

[tmart937]

New here but probably won't post anything. Since I'm sure all the questions I have would have. Already have a thread answering them.

[MBI]

New here but probably won't post anything. Since I'm sure all the questions I have would have. Already have a thread answering them.

Holy cow, I think you deserve some kind of award. A new member who recognizes that there is already a wealth of information here that can be found with just a little browsing or creative search engine usage. In all sincerity, welcome to the forum, and thanks for your conscientious approach to starting new threads.

If you have trouble finding what you need, try using a google advanced search, and you can specify what domain to search within, such as to only show results from within http://www.lockpicking101.com. But please, if you have a question, have searched and still can't find an answer, PLEASE don't be afraid to ask it.

We also have an IRC chat room where you can sometimes get live help. It's #lp101 on Slashnet.

[AzureDreamz91]

Hi hello, i'm Azure here. And i'm definitely interested in learning from you guys here!

Could learn a thing or two!
And i will practice alot too!

One can hardly feel my joy when i hear the *click* sound of a picked pin or the *tick* sound of the lock opening!
Makes me feel like i've actually accomplished a feat! :)

[lawrence68]

hi guys , im new and you got a great forum here , i am new to lockpicking .! and really enjoy it so far !

[wingnut6999]

hi all,
i found ur site by lookin for info on my antique yale key machine i recently purchased. i have a great start to a lock and key collection and info sitting in front of me on locksmith courses which i had befor i came here,lol. after reading some of this great forum i now want to pursue it even more..was hoping to find a thread where i could post a pic of my machine and maybe get some info on it. thanks and glad to be here!!!
Bob

[The.King.4]

Nice site

[ShaneC]

Hi, another newbie here. Alarm tech by trade, not much mechanical lock experience aside from common knowledge. Mostly showed up to see about getting some help changing the locks on a house, but might stick around and learn somethin' :D

[Unilocks]

[quote="ShaneC"]Hi, another newbie here. Alarm tech by trade, not much mechanical lock experience aside from common knowledge. Mostly showed up to see about getting some help changing the locks on a house, but might stick around and learn somethin' :D[/quote]

Undo the screws, is it a barrel lock or a mortice lock?

If its a barrel their easy to change if its a mortice you may need to remove the old one and buy another that matches it in size otherwise you may find yourself holding a mallet and chisel trying to make the new one align with the old ones holes.

I'm also a newbie but been reading a few bits a pieces here and there, watching a few youtube videos on the art of lock picking. I remember a time way back when I used to jimmy my locker at work open with a tea-spoon when I used to forget the key. NB: "Lots of jiggling the pins!"

Slowly learning more about using picks and NDE or Non-Destructive Entry in preferance to my prefered method of Destructive entry, Crowbar threaded in a pad-lock shearing the bolt in half & Power Drill to door Barrel boring out Yale pins.

[Unilocks]

The only thing I've noticed with lock picking is patience clearly plays a big factor and in retrospect a decent set of picks will set you back $39.99 where-as a Jimmy bar made from hardened carbon steel will only set you back $5.99 and brute force is its only factor, so it's all down to personal preferances in the end. If its an expensive lock then yes you may want to pick it and keep the lock. But if you've lost the keys and want access right away and dont have time to sit there applying dynamic tension and brushing little brass pin's trying to remain patient, then you may find the method of just shearing that bolt with that legend of "hardened steel" clean in half can be just as rewarding. Padlocks all have a weak point in the design, [edited by MBI to remove destructive entry methods as those are not permitted outside the advanced forum].

[EMClinux]

well i am definitely new i have been instated in locks even as a kid i lose keys. if only i knew what i know now back then

[zsknoebel]

Hi I'm new here... for the second time, but it seems like a great sight. I live in Hawaii on the island of Oahu, so if there is anyone else that lives around Kaneohe, let me know!

[LockDocWa]

I'm new to LP101, Not new to locks and picks.
I see the initials SPP alot, did a search and came up with zip for a definition.
Can I assume that SPP stands for Single Pin Picking?

TIA
LockDocWa

[Josh66]

Correct. :)

Welcome to the forum.