Thinking of moving onto car locks

[WillMclennan]

Iv become pretty good at picking since i started, i started with a few cheap padlocks/, then moved onto some euro cylinders, security locks. recently been picking double sided wafer locks. i can open most door locks given enough time (i dont pick locks that are actually in use cos if i break one my dad will go crazy lol)

The question is now, where to go next. i know car locks are wafers or occasional disk detainers. allot of people say wafer locks are easier to pick and from experience i definatley agree... but im sure car locks are more secure than the filing cabinet/ digital safe over ride and cash tin that iv picked.

are car locks a good next step for me? would i need to invest in a special auto pick set or can i just use my ball? iv allready got a goso tension wrench.

Thanks

Will

[MBI]

If you've grown tired of regular pin tumbler locks, auto locks would add a bit of a different dimension, although availability of used locks tends to be a bit lower than with other locks unless you go to a scrapyard and pull a few yourself. Depending on the lock, you don't necessarily need to go out and buy new tools, although you probably will eventually. If you want to get into specifics, keep participating in the forum until you have both a minimum of 50 posts and 50 days on the forum and apply to the advanced forums where we have an automotive section.

Another way to go would be to try out high security locks. Maybe buy a used Medeco, which tends to be the most readily available and reasonably priced used high security lock. You can find used ones for $15 and new ones for $25 if you look in the right places, which is about 1/4 of retail price.

[Squelchtone]

If you're not training to be a locksmith I would stay away from car locks. Too many specialized tools and picks meant just for one make/type of car lock, (look up Lishi Tools to see what I mean). Also, most of the car locks that are wafer are wafer sidebar locks from what I know, so like you already noted, they are not as easy as a file cabinet wafer lock.

Can you pick things like Mul-t-lock, Medeco, Bilock, Primus, and ASSA Twin? Most of us who got bored with residential locks moved onto commercial ones such as a 7 pin BEST SFIC, then onto high security locks such as the ones I listed above, then UK lever locks, and then safe cracking. Everyone's road is different and everyone has a different measure of what is easy or difficult to them.

Happy picking,
Squelchtone

[WillMclennan]

If you're not training to be a locksmith I would stay away from car locks. Too many specialized tools and picks meant just for one make/type of car lock, (look up Lishi Tools to see what I mean). Also, most of the car locks that are wafer are wafer sidebar locks from what I know, so like you already noted, they are not as easy as a file cabinet wafer lock.

Can you pick things like Mul-t-lock, Medeco, Bilock, Primus, and ASSA Twin? Most of us who got bored with residential locks moved onto commercial ones such as a 7 pin BEST SFIC, then onto high security locks such as the ones I listed above, then UK lever locks, and then safe cracking. Everyone's road is different and everyone has a different measure of what is easy or difficult to them.

Happy picking,
Squelchtone

Thats what i feared! i did wonder if those lishi picks were just more of a convenience thing but if there essential i think ill stay away. i guess i just wanted to start with the more common locks, i mean, iv never seen a medco before (maybe because im in england) and they seem horribly out of my leuge. is there a particular brand you suggest?

I tried to make my own tools to pick a lever lock. (a fairly cheap one) no success on that. and iv looked at safe cracking.. it seems diffrent from in the films, safecrackers appear to spend hours to days with a stethoscope listening for clicks and i dont really fancy that.

Definatley gonna try out some more high security locks tho!



Will

[WillMclennan]

If you've grown tired of regular pin tumbler locks, auto locks would add a bit of a different dimension, although availability of used locks tends to be a bit lower than with other locks unless you go to a scrapyard and pull a few yourself. Depending on the lock, you don't necessarily need to go out and buy new tools, although you probably will eventually. If you want to get into specifics, keep participating in the forum until you have both a minimum of 50 posts and 50 days on the forum and apply to the advanced forums where we have an automotive section.

Another way to go would be to try out high security locks. Maybe buy a used Medeco, which tends to be the most readily available and reasonably priced used high security lock. You can find used ones for $15 and new ones for $25 if you look in the right places, which is about 1/4 of retail price.

I really should participate in the forum more! i think id get alot from it,

where abouts sells medcos cheaply? the ones iv seen are a few hundred pounds!

Just out of interest, are scrapyards a good place to collect locks? would save some money i would think?

[MBI]

where abouts sells medcos cheaply? the ones iv seen are a few hundred pounds!

I didn't notice you're in England, that might change things. You can try ebay, but I'm not sure what price and availability will be like on your side of the pond. Over here, Security Snobs has some of the lowest consistent prices on Medeco cylinders. Look in their section for "collector's locks". You can put it in your shopping cart and use it to check shipping costs to your area without having to actually checkout and be charged anything.

[daniel22747]

Have you tried some of the better made padlocks like American and Abus?

American is great as you get to pick serrated pins and spool pins, even the key pins have serrations.

Abus varies more, some are really easy and some are pretty hard.

[WillMclennan]

Have you tried some of the better made padlocks like American and Abus?

American is great as you get to pick serrated pins and spool pins, even the key pins have serrations.

Abus varies more, some are really easy and some are pretty hard.

I think thats what ill do, i have an abus on the way, 65 40 which is meant to be quite a hedache.. its also got tiny pins which i HATE more tthan anything lol so should be good practice.