Key pins and sheer lines

[Double_Chin]

Hello, I'm a bit new to the sport of lockpicking, but have had a lot of fun with it so far. I have a question concerning how far key pins should be lifted. If a pin will simply not set I have a tendency to really press on the individual key pins to the point where the pick itself is up past the shear line (or quite close). This never really does me much good, but got me wondering if the key pin should ever really be pressed up that far? When the key pin enters the hull I realize that it can get stuck in an improper bind. Has anyone had any experience where a pin needs to be set in this sort of fashion? This is killng me.

thanks a lot,
J

[VashTSPD]

I would first try using less tension, sometimes I do that and I have to reset the lock and relax because I was being too rough. Then try to hold the pick tighter, get better control of it so that you are being firm, but not just pushing down. be sure to push on both sides of the pick and only push down a little more then you are pushing up. does that make sense? see, don't just push down, that way if it gets to the sheer line, the pin will snap right up into the hull with the driver pin. slowly push it up so the plug has time to turn and lock up.

[Shrub]

No dont push the pins up that far it is easy to damage the springs by doing this especially regulary, if you feel your goign to far theres no need to keep going,

[Double_Chin]

Ah, got it. Thanks a lot for the help, I'll try to work with a little more finess.

J

[locksmith-supply]

yep - you gotta be gentle with those pins...