bendig tools

[outlawcajin]

I just recived my 1st actual lock pick set. the tools are much thinner than my dyno quick pick (thank god!)
My question is, Would there ever be a point that i might have to aply so much pressure on the picks that i would bend them?
I have read that bending picks is a ususal learning exsperiance, but i wana know if the lock is not jammed, would there ever under normal situations that bending a pick would occur? the reason i dont just assume that no, you should never bend a pick as my own conclusion is because i watched a lockslayer vidio were the guy actualy broke a pick in a lock and i figure he is prety exsperianced. So i ask you guys who have been doin this for a wile and have gone thrue the learnig steps this question.
My pick set btw is a Southord PXS-14 Tempered stainless steal.

[Tygart]

If you are bending or breaking picks you are most likely using too much tension. Ease off and the pin should go up..

If you think there is a problem with the lock then just insert your pick only and press each pin up, if they all go up then its most likely you and not the lock.


Tygart

[outlawcajin]

im not saying i have a problome right now, im asking for future refrence, should there ever be a point that so much preesure is needed that my picks may get bent?

[mfschantz]

No, there isn't. If you do bend a pick, as mentioned above, ease off on the tension. I have the same set you mentioned. I haven't had any issues with it yet. I would recommend sanding them a little to get the burrs off the edges and help them slide through the locks.

[digital_blue]

Well.. I don't think it's quite so cut and dry.

As a general rule, I would agree with the above. Fact is, it's far more common for beginners to use too much tension than not enough, so bending/breaking picks can generally be attributed to too much tension.

HOWEVER.....

I have definitely come up against locks where I found it actually much easier to over-tension the lock and apply more picking pressure. Locks that are funky, with *really* bad tolerances... sometimes with spool pins.. these things can make for a lock that is downright hard to pick. And in these cases, I sometimes find it easier to just tension the crap out of it, and work the pins up to the shear line through brute force.

In situations like this, I know I am pushing the tool far past it's range. There is always the risk I'll break it. I've never broken a tool this way yet, but I have put some minor stress bends in some southord tools. I'd never even think of doing this with my falle tools though. It would break my heart to kill one of those picks.

In particular, I can think of a couple padlocks that I just KNOW I can pick in mere moments with a really heavy tension, but if I try and lighten up I'll drop pins every time I try and set the spool.

But yes... in general, if you're bending the pick at all, you're probably tensioning harder than needed.

db

[outlawcajin]

Thanks for the info,
So I get it that basically if I think I might bend the pick I know i'm going to far, except for an occasional lock that may pick under higher tension, but this is not usual. Got it.
Thanks again.

I kind of learned a lesson on the master 140, that 1 lock has taught me allot, like the tension should only be slightly more than the stiffness of the spring of the pin you are trying to seat, once I finally got that lock, the rest of my practice locks have been a breeze.

[ObiWonShinobi]

I saw a vid of a guy bend a southord and then bend it back and use it.
so I guess it depends on your pick quality.

[JackNco]

I saw a vid of a guy bend a southord and then bend it back and use it.
so I guess it depends on your pick quality.

I do that all the time, im not rough with my picks but if u sit watching tv and using a computer for a few hours a day with picks in hand most of the time there going to bend.