this is a happy day ; D

[findingemo]

I've always wanted to pick locks since I was a kid, so a week ago I tried with a bobby-pin (like they do in the movies) and failed miserably. After lurking around in forums for a while, voila! I found what a torsion wrench was. So I took a paper clip, snapped it in half (I got a pick and a wrench), bought a 2$ lock 2-pin, and it took me like half an hour and I gave up. yay. Oh.... I was supposed to have the torsion wrench inside while I was picking....oh that would make sense.....now

So after a lot of tries, I finally picked the lock. Then the rush of ego came in and I thought.... If I could pick this...why not try my 7-pin Russwin-Corbin lock........... failed....miserably... (my version of "picking" was bruteforcing, ramming up and down and applying as much torsion a little paperclip could support.)

Well, yesterday I received my little 8-set from Southord, at first it took me 35 minutes (and with a lot of swearing no doubt) to open it with the half diamond (at this time I actually knew how a lock worked haha.) Now it takes me two seconds to open it with either a snake rake or a rake, or about 40 seconds with a half diamond XD.

oh happy feelings XD. There is still one thing that bugs me. How the heck do you open the small little 2$ locks with my MPXS-08 Southord if the torsion wrench can't even fit inside it =...........=" (I can't put the torsion wrench inside as it blocks the entire key hole. To open those so far, I had to resort back to the bobby-pin method. Any advice?

[findingemo]

5-pin russwin not 7 oops lol

[Squelchtone]

why not try my 7-pin Russwin-Corbin lock........... failed....miserably... (my version of "picking" was bruteforcing, ramming up and down and applying as much torsion a little paperclip could support.)

We share in your feeling of excitement because your first lock is always memorable, but most people don't have a Russwin Corbin on their house, so do you really own this lock or is it your work's, apartment's, school dorm's lock ? We have some basic no brainer rules around here and one of them is not to pick locks that are currently mounted on your door, or locks that do not belong to you, because its just too easy for a new picker to break something or turn something and get it stuck.

Go out and buy some locks at the hardware store, its easier to take them apart on a workbench then unscrewing your front door lock after you accidentally mess it up. I'm a decent picker, and recently I was picking a medeco, the lock became stuck, and after removing it from the door, the deepest pins top pin was very shallow and I managed to pull the spring into the keyway jamming everything up. I had to remove the lock from the door and repair it.

Take this story as good advice to keep yourself out of trouble.

Squelchtone

[Satan130]

to answer the question...

exactly what you would think: thinner wrenches. usually only used by Brits since they have smaller locks, but obviously it can be used anywhere.

[findingemo]

Thanks for the advice, and I live off-campus from my university, the room I'm currently in used to be a dorm. That would probably explain the peculiar type of lock xD.

And I'll probably stick with the bobby-pin method, since I want to try to make anything into a lock-pick and be successful with it (I keep on locking myself out of my room.... I had to pay my landlord 50$ to get a new key.)

And I'll probably go the the hardware store some other time and get some locks, any recommendations?

[cppdungeon]

kwikset, duraset...things that end in set are generally cheap and good first locks. you could also get a schlage if you want something more interesting. whatever you do, DONT get a smartkey, its not a normal lock.

Welcome to picking!

--Cpp

[Squelchtone]

Thanks for the advice, and I live off-campus from my university, the room I'm currently in used to be a dorm. That would probably explain the peculiar type of lock xD.

And I'll probably stick with the bobby-pin method, since I want to try to make anything into a lock-pick and be successful with it (I keep on locking myself out of my room.... I had to pay my landlord 50$ to get a new key.)

And I'll probably go the the hardware store some other time and get some locks, any recommendations?

So you forget your keys but you're gonna have a box of bobby pins stashed in the bushes or something? Put the pot down, put the xbox down, go to the hardware store and make a copy of your key. Then put that copy in your wallet so you always have it with you when you go out and leave the keys on the desk or dresser. This is a good step on becoming a responsible adult. Having a plan b that doesn't involve improvisational entry into a building ala a Macguyver episode.

The other people here with similiar ideas think oh, i'll buy and carry a pick set 24/7 in case I get locked out. If you keep forgetting your keys, you'll most likely also forget to keep the lock picks on you.

know what I'm saying?

Squelchtone