regarding practise locks

[simon_G]

Hey again guys!

First off, I'd like to thank the members of this site;
I'ts heped me tremendously, allowing my progression from the very base level, to as I am now, and while I'm still very new, and consequentially not very good at lockpicking, I can at consistantly pick my main practise lock, without having to rely on just moving the pick around inside the keyway in a pseudo-random fashion.

That said, i have a new question that I would like to ask.

After I've picked a certain lock for a while, or it could just be that im more used to it individually i suppose, when SPP'ing them, it seems that i dont have to set all the pins. Sometimes I have to set all of them, but othertimes I only have to set the first pin, and then if i just nudge another one, the tension wrench gives, and the lock opens.

As far as I am aware this lock isent faulty, and this only happened after i had been using it for a while. I would be grateful if someone can help me on this.

Regards,
- Simon

[simon_G]

Just forgot to add in my last post;

The locks dont appear to be broken in anyway. They still work perfectly with the key.

- Simon

[blackfoot]

tap the lock with a small hammer lightly or on the table sometimes the pins dont reset right and from picking the same lock over and over again you may have changed the resistance on the springs.buy more locks to practice with and maybe a pinning kit.

[Jaakko]

Have you sanded your picks smooth and removed those sharp edges? If not, you have probably got enough of brass dust in the lock and it has jammed springs and pins in some chambers.

[simon_G]

Alright, many thanks guys.

- Simon

[Eyes_Only]

This is true with many locks. As far as I understand, sometimes the shank of the pick tool can set some of the pin stack in the front of the lock as you try to pick the stacks in the rear.

On locks that are in use it can be the case that dirt and any gummed up WD-40 that may have been sprayed in there can cause the pins to stick in the set position.

[simon_G]

As far as I'm aware, no one has put any WD-40 in it..

I would have thought it was the shank, but i only have to set the front two when it happens.

[Picklocking]

Could you put a close up picture of the key here? I have 1 thing on my mind!

Thanks

[simon_G]

I wish I could..
However, the only camera I have access to atm is my cell phone, and the pictures that creates are so blurry that it would be of no use

If it helps, the lock is a master no. 3 and the key doesent seem to have any oddities as far as I can tell..

- Simon

[illusion]

Perhaps the lock has a really simple pin combo, and gently jiggling the pick is enough to set them all?

I had a lock like this once and I was shocked when it opened nearly straight away - it was an EVVA.

[freakparade3]

It's not uncommon for the Master #3 lock to have thtis problem. I have a couple of them that were my first locks that I picked many times and now can't pick them any longer, though the key still works fine. There have been several other posts about the same problem.

[illusion]

I had a cheapo brass padlock I bought ages ago.

I had an unpolished southord pick set.

I spent a whole day raking the pins with saw-tooth rake - hung-over and nothing better to do.

I managed to completely file away at all the bottom pins, which meant the top pins fell down, and I was able to turn the plug and open the lock.

It might not be considered NDE, but I got a real chuckle out of it.

[jestersrobe]

I picked up a Master lock today, and found I only have to pick the front two pins, though I sometimes have to jiggle the third. This only works if I turn the plug in a certain direction. If I go the other way, I have to pick more pins. It's a wild world...