In need of help.

[Predaliendog]

Hi I just started picking 2 days ago. So far I have been able to open an old No.3 Masterlock a couple of times using a bobbypin pick and a pen cap tension wrench. But I think this was mostly luck, as sometimes I could get it open in less then 10 secs, other times it could take 5 mins...My "technique" is pretty much just moving the pick up and down til it opens...

I need serious help, im just kind of lost in all this. I am really having trouble with being able to identify where the pins are, and that just kills me.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks guys.

[Pyrhhus]

I would start with the "new users please start here" thread and follow the links. There are several very helpful guides and tutorials that should get you going.

[Squelchtone]

Hi and Welcome to the world of hobby lockpicking.

Firstly, you have to get yourself some real tools. Make them or buy them, but bobby pins and pen caps are for holding hair and for keeping pens in your pocket.

Our site sponsor has some cool basic lockpick sets to choose from, take a look here:
http://www.lockpickshop.com/SouthOrd-Lock-Picks.html

I recommend the MPXS-08 set for beginners, but the final choice is yours.

Secondly, it seems you need to learn how locks work. Just pushing pins up and hoping for the best isnt really picking, its just luck. Most cheap locks will eventually open, but don't expect to open better locks using this method.

Here is a few links which will get your feet wet, but the most important place is this site. Read Read and Read. Some people don't even post for a month, they just read every post they can, and then come back with specific questions.

Those links to get you started:
How does lockpicking wok with lots of pages and nice animations:
http://home.howstuffworks.com/lock-picking.htm

A nice visual guide to lockpicking by the good people of Locksport International.
http://cachefly.oreilly.com/make/lsiguide.pdf

The quintessential paper on lockpicking, the 1991 MIT Guide to Lock Picking:
http://www.lysator.liu.se/mit-guide/MITLockGuide.pdf

A classic treatise on lockpicking by Matt Blaze:
http://www.crypto.com/papers/notes/picking/

Take this weekend to explore these links and read as much as you can, then come back here and start reading every post in every category, its the best way to learn. When your lock picks arrive from lockpickshop in a week or two, you'll be able to actually pick locks without looking like a total noob.

Welcome to the first day of the rest of your life.

Squelchtone

[hydruh]

Squelch, that was a great intro.

Can I steal it for posting in the other 100 posts like this we get a day?

S

[spoolspanker]

thanks for the info squelch!

[Squelchtone]

Squelch, that was a great intro.

Can I steal it for posting in the other 100 posts like this we get a day?

S

thanks bro, yeah, feel free to quote or link that post anytime you wish.

Squelchtone