Newbie Suck

[Wikinger]

Hi, im interested in lockpicking about 2 years from now, but I were practising just a little. I also have a good picks set (certainly for a beginner), but I still can't open a stupid simple door lock, as is shown on the pictures. I've read o lot on the forum, but I still don't understand the basic info.

1. What are basic picks individually used for
2. How to manipulate with a pick in a keyway of a lock like that one, on the photos (pins are at the bottom)
3. When I make a torque with a tension tool and try to bind a pin, I've never hear or feel something like a pin binding

I've opened many pin tumbler locks, but allways with a little tension torque with an unsensitive raking with a hook pick...

[raimundo]

typical beginner mistake is to use too much pressure, or bind the tensor against the cylinder wall at the lower edge of the keyway. keep picking, you will get it then lock it back up and do it again immediatly, there is something you learn between the hand and the mind that cannot be told in words. so when you get it, you did it irght, and its likely you can do it again right away.

[undeadspacehippie]

muscle memory - needs to be developed. this is an actual function in the body. When a neuron in the brain and body learns something it sprouts tails (dendrites) and these tails make connections between other neurons allowing for neural circuits to be formed that assist in doing tasks - such as in the martial arts, when something becomes second nature, like it was always there and there is little or no thinking involved in doing it. With picking your circuitry will need to be constantly re-wired until you find that moment when - click the lock opens. Immediately attempt it again, go over it in your head, visualize <to sound like a support group meeting or a new age drumming circle, visualize the door opening> the lock, its inside.

Someone made a post on the board about how to make the hands more sensitive to the micro vibrations while picking, involved sandpaper and time.

We are subconsciously aware of so many things, but our social and mental filters often get in the way and alter the data that is coming in. We must learn how to see things as they really are - to get the real picture and the complete moment, not partials.

[Wikinger]

Thank you. But I just don't know how to "get in there" and what pick shall I use.

[Krypos]

i think what we're trying to tell you in a nicer way is- CHILL OUT you CANNOT learn to pick a lock in 15min- it takes time to practice with various locks and it will be hard and slow at times- but relax and focus on the NOW to make it to the end that much more smarter.


at least i think.

[CVScam]

That is restrictive keyway on that lock. I am not sure from the pictures but I hope your pickset is a slimline set. I think you need some easier locks to keep practicing on first.

[Wolfman]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but is that lock installed on a door?

To save the mods the trouble I'll post it:
DON'T PICK LOCKS THAT YOU RELY ON!!!!!

I'm cool now...

I agree with what was said above. You should practice on some easier locks.
I'ed suggest a kwikset cylinder or a best. You may also want to follow the beginers lockpicking exercise found in the New Members start here thread.
And remember, Always start with the least amount of tention that is humanly possable. LOL. Then slowly try more if the pins wont say up. Practice, practice, practice, *copy-paste*, Practice...

[what1sth1s]

why dont pick on doors you rely on? could newbie lock picking mess up the lock or something?

[DeadlyHunter]

Just take your time, you should first try a simple door lock with some pins removed if you are having problems feeling them bind. Then work your way up

[Wolfman]

why dont pick on doors you rely on? could newbie lock picking mess up the lock or something?

In short, yes.

-You could break a pick off in the lock, making it impossable to insert the key.

-(in the case of some cheaper locks) You can mess up the wards (keyway) by using too much tention

-You can mess up the springs by pushing the pins up way to high.

-You could over-estimate yourself and lock yourself out without keys and not be able to pick your way back in.

[Shrub]

why dont pick on doors you rely on? could newbie lock picking mess up the lock or something?

Yes, raking for prolonged periods damages the pins and single pin picking done incorrectally can damage the springs,

Theres a good chance the incorrect picking will make a lock gritty or the orginal key not work at all,

The cheap price locks can be bought for means the best way is to simply buy a lock to use for practiseing only and eliminate any possable chance of the locks you rely on.

[raimundo]

also because newbies may live in apartments with masterkeying and may drop a masterpin thats really thin into the bottom of the keyway when they turn it 180 degrees, this could cause problems that would have your landlord involved if ya don't know how to fix it.

[srm]

typical beginner mistake is to use too much pressure

exactamente raimundo. I'm pretty new myself but I've evolved from enough force to decapitate a rhino...to a light touch. it makes all the difference in the world.

[srm]

why dont pick on doors you rely on? could newbie lock picking mess up the lock or something?

Yes, raking for prolonged periods damages the pins and single pin picking done incorrectally can damage the springs,

Theres a good chance the incorrect picking will make a lock gritty or the orginal key not work at all,

The cheap price locks can be bought for means the best way is to simply buy a lock to use for practiseing only and eliminate any possable chance of the locks you rely on.

I bought a deadbolt with two cylinders...2 locks for the price of one!

[what1sth1s]

guess i'll have to buy some practice locks. thanks for the heads up i was going straight to picking my front door when my lock picks get here