Picking is Much Harder Using a Vice

[Fire Fox]

Some time ago I read that holding a lock in your hand while picking makes it easier because you are getting feedback not only from the picks but also from the lock. I didn't pay much attention to this, but yesterday I realized that I am getting more feedback through the lock than through the picks.

I went out and bought a vice and let me say: It is quite different from holding a lock in your hand. I no longer feel any kind of feedback and went from picking four pins to picking two pins! The good thing is that I am now picking up much more feedback from the picks. Hopefully, it won't take me too long to catch up to four pins.

[raimundo]

when clamping a cylinder in a vice, do not crush the roundness out of the cylinder, do not put the cylindrical part in the vice jaws.

you can clamp on the pin drilling area somewhat without causeing damage.

[MacGnG1]

I got a vise from Harbor Freight on Saturday. With their standard 20% off coupon it came to 16 bucks with tax. Heck of a deal! but yeah i think it is going to take some time to get used to it picking with a vise.

I think it gives much more feedback cause it resonates through the vise, something like that. Also I have a lock I got a month or so ago that I just cant get any kind of tension by just holding it in my hand and the vise makes it easier, but I haven't picked it yet

[Fire Fox]

MacGnG1 - I went to the same place, Harbor Freight. Got their hobby vice.

raimundo - Thanks for the tip. I only close the vice on the cylinder enough to hold it still while I work on it. I could imagine a regular vice crushing a cylinder. Luckily, the one I got is more for hobbies and such - it has rubber pads where it grips the items.

[Raymond]

Just for the fun of adding to this idea, try picking an inward opening door that is recessed into the jam and has a wall coming straight out at the latch side. Add to that the requirement that the lock turn toward this wall. (This gives no room for the turning tool and your hand at the same time.) This is a classic example in favor of plug spinners.

I occasionally clamp a cylinder in the vise deliberately to squeeze it. I figure that when shimming, compressing the sides creates a little gap at the shear line. Some locks are so tight you cant even get a shim started.

[Fire Fox]

Just for the fun of adding to this idea, try picking an inward opening door that is recessed into the jam and has a wall coming straight out at the latch side. Add to that the requirement that the lock turn toward this wall. (This gives no room for the turning tool and your hand at the same time.) This is a classic example in favor of plug spinners.

You know, I could see myself in the future going to the junk yard and making a work station with part of a wall and door to simulate that situation.

[raimundo]

why not just make some tensors that are adapted to the tight corners? you can tension from above, below, if its a really unique position, then make a unique tool to do the job.

[Fire Fox]

Maybe in the future I will, right now I'm focusing on the three locks I have at the moment. I have my hands full with them right now.

[Raymond]

You are right Raimundo. I have all the specials I can make but I usually never take them out of my truck. The standard faire in my wallet usually get me into most places. Anyway, I dont carry the plug spinner either. So I have to go back to the truck to get it and the special picks. But I always try the wallet picks first before I go back to the truck.

[Rickthepick]

I find that the higher security locks pick better in a vice

You do seem to get more feeling holding the lock but its also more awkward and you cant rest your hand enough.

Its bad practice for a locksmith to hold the lock as its an entirely different feel when you go out on a job.