number of pins in a lock

[boxx0r]

im very new at lockpicking, and think it could be a neat hobby once i get into it, and i'm in the process of reading the MIT guide to lockpicking, and as im reading it, im testing things on a small lock i found around the house, but theres one thing that i havent found while reading the guide:

how do you know how many pins are in a lock? this lock i have is some random lock i found with no label or any indents in it, so how do i find out how many pins it has? im sure it has 2, because after pressing down pin #1, i could see the second one, but after pressing down the second pin, i cant see if there are any more, and when i try turning the plug, it doesnt open the lock.

so how do i find out how many pins a lock has?

[Hak]

this may not work with all locks but try this..

use the flat side of a pick (such as a half diamond, or half ball), insert it into the lock as far back as you can, then very slowly pull the pick out and count the number of clicks you hear. That should represent how many pins there are.

Thats how i do it, and it usually works for me.

You say your new to lockpicking... welcome. Its a very fascinating hobby. The most important thing to keep in mind is that you've got to have lots and lots of patience, and you need to practice often. Thats basically the only way you'll get good.

[boxx0r]

thanks, thats a good idea

obviously its possible with a paper clip, but would you recommend using a paper clip, because for now, like most noobs, its all i have

[Hak]

yes a paper clip would work great

[Hak]

use the flat side of a pick (such as a half diamond, or half ball), insert it into the lock as far back as you can, then very slowly pull the pick out and count the number of clicks you hear. That should represent how many pins there are.

oops, i spotted a mistake.. what i meant was...

use the flat side of a pick (such as a half diamond, or half ball), insert it into the lock as far back as you can, **lift up**, then very slowly pull the pick out and count the number of clicks you hear. That should represent how many pins there are.

please forgive me, i havent sleept in two days, so im a bit messy right now

[Hak]

*slept* hehe