Feeling the movement of torsion wrench

[cryptocat]

That's an extremely helpful method and I'm tying it right now. Of course defiant is not medico and the pins are not cut like that but I'm going to try to see if I can rekey it back to its original set.

[cryptocat]

D'oh. What I meant to say was that you can also use the plug to help you get the right pins in. The top two shots have 2 pins reversed - a 5 where a 6 should be, and a 6 where a 5 should be. Not much height difference, but noticeable enough when compared with the factory setting...

[unlocke]

I feel like an idiot, no wonder I was unable to rekey the lock. I was doing it the opposite direction! Thanks cyrptocat, I have it set back to it's original state once more. I'll try digital blue's exercise from there.

Is there a recommended type of lock for digital blue's exercise by the way? I'm no where near good enough to tell between more than 2 pins which is binding more. Add 3 or 4 and I lose it.

Normally I rely on luck or use a W rake pick which seems to work extremely well. Little skill involved, just pushing in and out with an extra amount of pressure on the tension wrench. At least I my feel of the wrench is much better. Hopefully I be able to say the same for the pins.

While I'm asking questions. What is really happening when a pick get stuck? Happens often to me using a lifter pick. Seems like my pick hits a pin and is unable to go forward. This happens on normal low-security locks, so I'm not sure what's going on.

[Stryypgya]

Is there a recommended type of lock for digital blue's exercise by the way? I'm no where near good enough to tell between more than 2 pins which is binding more. Add 3 or 4 and I lose it.

I think he recommends a Schlage, but he also mentions Kwikset. I got a cheap Kwikset ($18.95 at Home Depot for two cylinders), and it's done me a world of good. I'm picking up a Schlage next, though.

[unlocke]

Digital blue's exercise is brilliant! I have few different locksets but the defiant I re-keyed was fine. For the first time I'm able to pick a lock rather then just bump around inside and rely on luck. The binding part is very difficult when it gets to 4 pins. For the first time I picked my front door lock too. The funny part is I didn't realize I had it done. I failed to realized I needed extra force to get the deadbolt to move.

Feeling each pin can be tricky. Slowly raking through the pins with a lifter pick is what I do to give me an idea of how many pins are in the lock at least. I only use a lifter pick. The reverse W works extremely well but I don't consider that a challenge.