How do you get the timing/rhythm down for bumping?

[machinist]

I've just learned how to bump locks to the point where I can get them in to open about 1/3 of the time but, I'm having a lot of trouble finding the rhythm of it all especially with schlages I keep hitting the thing somtimes 10 times in a row before I get another open is there any trick to finding your rhythm of it? Can you wear out a bump key by having to deep of pin marks btw?

[Raccoon]

Yes. Bumpkeys can/do wear out.

[Krypos]

teh key to finding rhythm, i would say is a partner. gotta have a partner to get rhythm.

no really, just keep practicing, i tried bumping a bit ago just to see what the fuss was over, it aint THAT great, but it has its own little place (after picking of course)

try slowing down. try to feel what you are doing. and try to strike it the same way as when you opened it.

[blitz355]

When you have your bump key in the lock and you are hitting it with what ever, always have slight pressure on one part of the key so if it where the real key it would unlock it, that way when you but the key, and the pins go up an above the shear line, you don't have to worry about timing

[melvin2001]

If you put pressure on the key to turn while you are bumping you do two things

1) your causing the pins to bind and therefore will have to hit the key harder to get the pins to separate properly and will cause unnecessary wear and tear on the lock (and key which is softer metal then the pins)

and

2) any type of security pin will bind causing bumping to fail

Your best bet would be to tap and quickly turn the key a split second after the tap.... the "turn as you tap" method works for crappy locks like kwikset with no security pins, but even some schlage locks are now starting to put spindle pins in their locks.

[ComTech]

I've found that if I use a 4 or 5 inch piece of small diameter wire through the hole in the key and put VERY VERY light tension on it, that the locks opens much easer with just a light tap with the bump hammer.
A flexible tension wrench work good too.

You want just enough tension for the cylinder to just start to turn.

[jasontimmer]

ive found the "light tension" method to work for some, even newer, schlage locks. by "light tension" i mean about the same force it would take to push a thumb tack across teflon. LIGHT tension. in this case it would help to lube up the lock first. otherwise, using the timing method, a useful visualization is to turn the key at the same time you think the sound of the bump would reach your ears. "fraction of a second" isn't quite accurate. the bump and the turn should be one fluid motion. ive also found, as is true with common lockpicking techniques, and especially with older locks, sometime the pins are at the shear line and you don't realize it, you just need to turn a little harder. just keep practicing!