experiencing problem to put the pick in thel lock

[Hugokhf]

Hi, I am new here, I have a lock pick set of SOUTHORD MPXS-11 that I bought I while ago.

my lock that I am trying to crack is an ERA lock, which looks basically like this: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ER3EiK4V3l0/T ... a+lock.JPG

Now I am trying to pick that lock for a long time, but I can't seem to fit to pick in in order to move the pin correctly
when I slide in and out the pick,and I try to puh up the pin, from what I understand, the pick will go up, but why can I still see the metal thing handing down? I have applied tension and no matter how hard a poke it up, it is still handing down
am I insserting it the wrong way?
I tried botht the pick and half diamond pick, both have the same problem

[GWiens2001]

Think your problem is that you are trying to lift each pin in order from front to back, expecting each pin to bind in that order. You need to slide the pick all the way in, and find the binding pin. The pins will bind in their own order, and it is up to you to find out what that order is.

Good Luck,

Gordon

P.S. Try searching this site for "Lockpicking Overkill", by our member Solomon. It is probably exactly what you need.

[blakhal0]

but why can I still see the metal thing handing down?

I think you're talking about the key pin. Pin tumbler locks commonly have a pin stack of 2 pins, the driver and the key pin. The key pin rides along the key and moves the driver, the driver pin is the pin that moves to the top of the sheer line, the key pin will remain in the keyway. Take a look at this animation on how the pin tumbler lock works and see if this is what you're having problems with.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiYIYXEX9Ko