*Pic sets*
The cheapest pick set on the market comes out the box with the ability to pick locks better then you can , my belief is that (like myself) too many new pickers get to hung up on what picks to get, or getting better more expensive pics , besides my homemade pics , my southards get used more often then the ones i spent to much money on ! (it dont hurt as much if you break a pick that cost 2 bucks rather then one that cost 20+)
*what picks to use*
so you have your nice new set of picks in front of you , but what ones to use ? . take out 2 picks and your tension tool, your deep hook and your shallow hook , put all the rest in a box and stick them under your bed and forget about them for the next several months (years maybe ) you are not picking a lock unless you are single pin picking it ! all other methods are just luck !!!!
*know the lock feel the lock *
IMO when you first start learning locks you want to do it in a Very Dark room , i turn off all but a small light , get prepared , close my eyes and begin to pick, consecrating on exactly what im FEELING in the lock, IMO all other senses ( sight , hearing ) are not good to be trained with , because in real world applications, you might not be able to see what your doing or hear the tumblers clicking , but you can always feel them !
*Exercise your touch *
start with in practice i like to just do a counting and precision exercise
where i just use a hook pic and count the pins back and forth trying to only touch each pin one at a time while counting them ( 1 2 3 4 5 , 5 4 3 2 1 etc ) ill have the tension tool in while doing this but not applying pressure . do this over and over untill you can go to each pin and push them up without affecting any other pins in the lock.
*Pics Mat's for FREE*
you dont need to spend a lot when learning to pick locks here is how i assembled a collection of 300 + locks and several dozen pic sets for free.
Pick making materials , windshield wipers blade inserts , can be gotten free almost any day at your local auto supply store , and street sweeper brushes found in the road for free , but i like pics made from HSS hacksaw blades
, so for these its time to bug people
, carpenters, handymen,plumbers etc etc will all use these and when there dull of broken they toss them, so just talk to a few and ask them to put there used one aside for you , if you must tell them in return you will send them referrals when you run across people who are in need of there service .*Locks for Free*
this can be as hard or as easy as you make it , my Biggest suppler of free locks is through my business, im a handyman, but i also do REO work , securing and re locking homes for company's that buy , sell clean up , homes , and we are not bound by the same rules that locksmiths are to deposes of locks , so find people who do that kind of work and ask them to give you all the locks they get , lots of these , especially dead bolt and door locks will even have the keys with them , although many master lock types will have been cut with bolt cutters, there still lockable and pick-able.
*Homemade Picks*
this has been covered over and over here im not going to get into how to make or what to make them out of , but rather "when to Make them "
IMO unless you have NOTHING else to do in life making picks with just files and sand paper is a LONG daunting task , IMO unless you already have the tools ( bench grinder , Belt sander , dremel tool , files , etc ) its less expensive to just buy a set of cheaper pics then to make them . Making picks is fun and rewarding . but i think better time spent with locks and picks in hand learning , when you can pic every lock you get your hands on every time with speed and confidence , them its time to start making your own , that suit your style .
your friend
Brother Paul the forever Newbie
