Upside Down kwikset

[SemiShady]

I've been picking by hand for quite some time (4 years[but very little, probably got like 200 hrs in]) and i'm ok at it. I've never really had a 'real' pick set, but i have made picks that work (hacksaw blades and spokes) I also made a snapper pick with a coat hanger that can open about half the locks i try it on. Picking by hand i can get about 80% of the locks. So thats my history.

I have a kwikset lock on my bedroom door that had to be installed upside down (hinges on the wrong side of the door?) so the pins on are the bottom, and i can't do anything to it. With the pick or the snapper.

I have to key so its not an emergency but why am i haveing so much trouble.. is there some type of technique i may be over looking for picking upside down. Shouldn't it be easier? Is a snapper pick useable in this situation? Any ideas appreciated.

The main reason is cause its a lock in my home and is easy for me to practice on, all my other locks i've 'learned' and can hand pick or rocker pick them very quickly, this one gets me real discouraged. Thanks in advance.

[JonathanEricLopez]

Hmm... From my understanding I'm pretty sure if you'd like to fix your lock on your door and put it rightside up you can properly do this with a cylinder remover (link to product shown below)
http://www.antonline.com/p_81467-GP_332191.htm

You would have to unscrew the lock from the door and use this tool to release the cylinder from the knob housing. I may be wrong, but if you'd ever like to switch it to the upright position that is how you would go about doing that... But back to picking upside down. Everything is just much more difficult when things get switched around lol. Its like switching from your right hand to your left hand and trying to pick its just a challege, But its not impossible. Picking upside down takes practice. When picking an upside down lock apply light tension or whatever tension makes you happy and try picking... When a pin sets it will actually be laying on the bottom of the cylinder without a space between the top and bottom pin... When you have your one pin set go off to the next pin.. The same will happen and hopefully you'll set all the pins and you'll have your lock picked... Just remember this is a bit' more difficult and just takes practice. Don't give up.

[nostromo]

Upside down pin stacks require an almost completely different use of your fine motor skills. Same techniques, yes. Notice you had to hold the picks differently? Those disc padlocks can make you crazy.

JEL's advice to reinstall the knob to save yourself trouble later on is wise. May I suggest a trip to the junkyard to get remove some cheap doorlocks, or local locksmiths to politely ask if you can buy their old & damaged locks or cylinders for the price of brass scrap (currently about $1.50 / pound)? If you aren't comfortable doing this, I can send you some cylinders for brass cost plu S&H, just PM me.

Practicing picking on locks in actual use is a tad risky. There's a chance that smaller pins (esp bottom) can 'flip', springs get deformed, or other damage occur. Especially when you first get into the hobby, as most pickers take awhile to settle into a gentle 'hand'. Besides, it sounds like you will probably master this one shortly and will be ready to move on.

Is it possible to repin the cylinders of your practice locks and make yourself new challenges like HI-LO-HI-LO-HI-LO, spool pins, etc?

[Rickthepick]

It just takes a bit of practice. Here in the uk we have a lot of plastic doors with euro cylinders all 'upside down' to you US chaps.

[Josh K]

It just takes a bit of practice. Here in the uk we have a lot of plastic doors with euro cylinders all 'upside down' to you US chaps.

I noticed. I've been working over the handful of euro profiles you sent over. Pain in the ass.

[Rickthepick]

those are the bog standard ones

[Raymond]

Picking a Kwikset upside down should actually be easier. The set pins will stay down and out of the way making picking the rest a little smoother. If the pin is visible it probably isnt set yet. It is just a matter of mental adjustment. As previously mentioned - get used to it. European lock are that way by design. Many US locks are also installed that way. Almost all levers are horizontal. Your ability to adapt to your conditions is just part of life.

[Gozzo]

Could you maybe practice picking down, on a padlock held upside down in a vice ?

[Rickthepick]

Its similar to picking locks in your hand, its bad practice. Come to a door where you cant physically hold a lock comfortably and you lose your mojo.n

[thelockoutguys]

Take a little time and make your self a picking station out of an old cut up door or wood...put about 5-6 different locks on it. I made one for practice and teaching and took about 30 minutes or so...also put something you can attach a padlock on..Anyone could open on in your hand ...but when a customer is breathing down your neck at a storage shed waitning its a little different...

[Schuyler]

While I'll agree that it's good to do some mounted picking, I have not had the universal experience of it making life harder. Seems to be about 50/50 for me, personally. Sometimes a lock I can't pick in hand is trivial once mounted as it improves tension control. Similarly, some locks I've worked on for a while mounted, once in hand, slip open easily because I can pick in a more comfortable position.

[Klaiviel]

Take a little time and make your self a picking station out of an old cut up door or wood...put about 5-6 different locks on it. I made one for practice and teaching and took about 30 minutes or so...also put something you can attach a padlock on..Anyone could open on in your hand ...but when a customer is breathing down your neck at a storage shed waitning its a little different...

I agree with this. My picking station is nowhere near as elaborate as that but it works. I find for me, mounted locks are easier because I can just focus on tension and picking instead of trying to hold an awkward shape as well. My picking station is just a simple 2x4, pic below.