Has anyone used any clear locks?

[eric343]

I will second What's comment. I've taught lockpicking in three different countries, at two hacker conferences, and to classes sized one to fifty. (I even did a marathon 8 hours of classes one weekend here at MIT.)

Cutaways are freakishly counterproductive when used incorrectly. If you have no feel for the tool or the lock, I'm convinced they'll take you backwards.

The best way to learn, as far as I can tell, involves starting with a one-pin lock and adding pins. You learn the most among the one-, two-, and three-pin segments. You will learn little if you aren't aware of what you're teaching yourself each step, however.

Cutaways are useful once you are able to pick "easy" locks. They'll give you an idea of what you're doing wrong and allow you to tweak your technique. Here they are enormously helpful!

If you learn to pick on a cutaway, you will grow used to having visual feedback from the inside of the lock. In 'the field,' however, the skill is to open the lock entirely without visual feedback. (see the picking in the dark thread of recent memory)

This is not how I learned.

I learned by getting some tools and practicing on a cheap Chinese Master-lock knockoff. I got quite good at it, too. I remember sitting under the playground jungle-gym showing my buddies how I could pop the lock almost faster than I could insert the tools...

Unfortunately, when I tried my hand at rather tougher locks (this past summer at the Dutch Open), I recieved my derriere on a platter

Once you've learned basic tool control, whether by starting with a one-pin lock or an easy padlock, improvement will demand more difficult locks for practice. Or you won't get any better!

[digital_blue]

Cutaways are freakishly counterproductive when used incorrectly. If you have no feel for the tool or the lock, I'm convinced they'll take you backwards.

The best way to learn, as far as I can tell, involves starting with a one-pin lock and adding pins. You learn the most among the one-, two-, and three-pin segments. You will learn little if you aren't aware of what you're teaching yourself each step, however.

Amen!

[Raccoon]

So Eric, what tools do MIT hackers use to open locks? I'd start a thread on the subject, but I wouldn't want to embarrass you... considering you're the only MIT student here (that I know of).

Really though. I respect anyone who has the balls to stick it out at that school, so I can trust the kinds of lockpicking decisions you make.

Which picksets do you prefer? What other tools do you keep in your read-to-go kit? Where did you buy from? Etc.

On a personal note, do you ever go vadding?

[Pisces1303]

Cutaways are freakishly counterproductive when used incorrectly. If you have no feel for the tool or the lock, I'm convinced they'll take you backwards.

The best way to learn, as far as I can tell, involves starting with a one-pin lock and adding pins. You learn the most among the one-, two-, and three-pin segments. You will learn little if you aren't aware of what you're teaching yourself each step, however.

Amen!

I agree with the part about adding pins. Any recommendations on a lock that I can repin easily?

Naturally, I'll search the forum to see how to repin a lock.

Thanks for the help all.

[eric343]

I agree with the part about adding pins. Any recommendations on a lock that I can repin easily?

Naturally, I'll search the forum to see how to repin a lock.

Thanks for the help all.

Standard mortise or rim cylinders are the easiest, as far as I know. In some cases, it's possible to remove the metal bit on top in order to repin them, eliminating the need for a plug follower.

[eric343]

So Eric, what tools do MIT hackers use to open locks? I'd start a thread on the subject, but I wouldn't want to embarrass you... considering you're the only MIT student here (that I know of).

Really though. I respect anyone who has the balls to stick it out at that school, so I can trust the kinds of lockpicking decisions you make.

Which picksets do you prefer? What other tools do you keep in your read-to-go kit? Where did you buy from? Etc.

On a personal note, do you ever go vadding?

I'm not in any way a representative of the "hacking" community. I'm just a frosh...

Regarding my personal preference, I practice picking with a set that consists of an HPC2000 hook and the double-ended S-type torque tool that came with my pick gun. That tool is remarkable in that it's designed well to fit the top of the keyway without falling out. I also keep a Southern Specialities jackknife in my wallet.

If the Southern Specialties isn't working, I reach for the Falle Basic Picking Kit.

I've also found the HPC2000 SSP-10 rake to be quite effective in some situations.

My bag of tools is too big to list here. I've gotta take a shower and then run off to an exam.

Keep bugging me and I'll post a picture. Of that and my collection of 75-odd locks.

[eric343]

By the way, I'd never heard the term "vadding" before.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vadding

This explains why... "Today, the word vadding is rarely used at MIT, and usually only by old-timers. "Roof and tunnel hacking" has returned as the preferred descriptive term. Those who participate in it generally refer to it simply as "hacking." Vadding and hacking are both terms born out of MIT jargon that, once they left the MIT community, began to mean something entirely different."

[Pisces1303]

I agree with the part about adding pins. Any recommendations on a lock that I can repin easily?

Naturally, I'll search the forum to see how to repin a lock.

Thanks for the help all.

Standard mortise or rim cylinders are the easiest, as far as I know. In some cases, it's possible to remove the metal bit on top in order to repin them, eliminating the need for a plug follower.

Maybe I should go back to the locksmith store and buy another tumbular. It has a little slide ontop so you can take the pins out. It was like 5 dollars. I opened it and the springs and stuff all popped out once haha. The guy did ask me what I was doing and told me picking in the state of New Jersey is illegal. I already new this because its obvious that he thought I was going to break into other peoples property.

This time, I'll try another shop.

[illusion]

Oh man, buy that lock with the slide cover!

they make repinning the lock quickly much easier, and gives you more time to practice.

This is a good buy.

[vector40]

If you get an "in" with the MIT hacking community, eric, I'd be fascinated to hear more about it. (Advanced section if you like.)

[eric343]

If you get an "in" with the MIT hacking community, eric, I'd be fascinated to hear more about it. (Advanced section if you like.)

The MIT hacking community is very private. "What happens at MIT, stays at MIT."

http://www.lysator.liu.se/mit-guide/lame.html

[eric343]

I agree with the part about adding pins. Any recommendations on a lock that I can repin easily?

Naturally, I'll search the forum to see how to repin a lock.

Thanks for the help all.

Standard mortise or rim cylinders are the easiest, as far as I know. In some cases, it's possible to remove the metal bit on top in order to repin them, eliminating the need for a plug follower.

Maybe I should go back to the locksmith store and buy another tumbular. It has a little slide ontop so you can take the pins out. It was like 5 dollars.

That's the kind you want.

[Pisces1303]

Hey everyone! I am good now because I just ordered a clear lock leve 2 non-spool pins from a friend. I will use that to practice on then I can do it without a visual aid. Thanks again!

[Jason13]

lp101 mate?