So there's a tip for a beginner. If one lock gives you more grief than you think it should, consider setting it aside for awhile and try another similar lock.
And just a few minutes ago I opened a full 5 pin Schlage cylinder from a typical deadbolt for the first time. Woo-hoo! I know, don't get a swelled head, it's not that big a deal. But it's progress, and one of my goals met. (No security pins in either of these locks. I'm pretending they don't exist for awhile yet.
)On the topic of lock cylinders though, I've been talking with a locksmith here in town that has no troubles with hobby lockpicking. I wanted to pick up a few more standard cylinders to work with, and was hoping he could help me out. He wanted $50 US for a used run of the mill Schlage cylinder. Said that was list price for them, but he had some used Schlage style cylinders he could sell me for $10 US.
Now $50 is way higher than I've seen for online prices for a new cylinder from suppliers, and on eBay they can be had used for just a few $$$ apiece if you are patient.
I know that list prices aren't necessarily close to market prices though, and I am curious about what he said. Is he correct that the list price is really that high?
He doesn't seem like the type to stretch the truth to make a buck. But I'm sure he isn't all that crazy about taking time away from larger projects to sell a few bucks of used parts to a hobbiest either - he's got a business to run and a payroll to meet. So maybe that's his way of discouraging me from botherhing him. Wish he'd just say so if that's the case though.