What is the deal with these locks?

[SaintAccardo]

I posted yesterday about my frustration with some Master locks. 2 of them are no. 3 models and the other is a cheaper level 4 security lock but still has 4 pins. The cheaper padlock I have figured out how to pick consistently so I've been consistently going back to it to remind my fingers just what to look for. It gives a very well felt set when setting the first couple pins so you can actually feel feedback. The other two there is no feedback what the hell so ever and it is very frustrating. I have opened one of them several times but again, I think a monkey could do what I've done. My question is how does one expect to get any better if there are no guiding clicks or any kind of feedback at all? I am so f@€£/□@ sick of just picking around in the dark hoping that it opens. I want to be able to gain the experience that I will be able to go to a lock, know what to do, what to feel for, and be able to pick it open fairly consistently and in a timely manner. Period! Are there spool pins, serrated pins, what----inside these Master lock no. 3's???? Because these are just so different and so much harder than the cheaper level 4 security lock.

[GWiens2001]

There are no security pins in a Master #3 lock.

Gordon

[1mrchristopher]

A couple things that might help:


1. Get a table-top vise, with a suction base or screw clamp, and put the lock in the vise so that you have both hands free.
2. Practice feeling the individual pins without any tension. Leave the tension wrench on the table, and just move back and forth feeling the location of each pin.
3. When you do get ready to pick open, use VERY gentle pressure on your tension wrench to start, and don't have a death grip on your pick. Hold it just tight enough to maintain control of it, that way you will be better able to feel pins setting.
4. OK, this is the most important: Relax. If you get tensed up, angry or frustrated set it down and walk away for a minute. Everyone I know that picks, does it best when they are calm and relaxed. If you start over thinking it, or tensing up, you'll end up paying less attention to what you are doing because you are focused on what you haven't gotten done.

Don't give up, and don't lose heart, this isn't the easiest hobby, but it's SO rewarding when you get the hang of it.

[KPick]

Like any skill, picking takes time and if you're putting the effort to learn how to pick. You won't be dissapointed! Trust me guy. It took me weeks before I can legitly pick a lock open when I first began. It's just your working your mind out so you can get to that point were you can focus on your hand feedback great enough to the point you feel the pins, and that is your first step my friend. Pick on!

[critmass235]

if you're having a hard time with master locks( mostly easy once you get the hang of it )try getting or converting a lock to be able to remove pins easily (the whole try it 1 pin then 2 pins ect... thing) and also cutout locks so you can see whats going on inside(therefor be able to interpret your feedback better without the cuts ) those 2 thing really helped me the most when i started(i still sometimes use a cutout just for a refresher)

[SaintAccardo]

Hey, I really appreciate you guys taking your time to respond so thoroughly. This place is not like other forums, I can see that right away. Seems there are no egos here or cliques to overcome and that is extremely appreciated.
I use very light tension. I have figured out how to pick the smaller master lock (secirity level 4) consistently and I go back to that alot to re-acquainte myself with the feeling it takes to open that but on the master locks no.3's there is NO feedback AT ALL!! I managed to pick them both last night and I thought I was kinda getting the hang of it but I could not duplicate my performance on either one again. I just don't know how I'll get better with practice on these particular locks if there are no tell tell "clicks" , movements, or sounds that will guide me along with picking them consistently. I want to get to the point that I can look at a master lock and say "Hey, I can pick that open right away for you." But at the moment I just don't see it happening.
I've thought about getting a couple of those Brokehage clear practice locks but I'm afraid they're going to be so dead simple that they won't do me any good when applied to the "real world" of locks. You'd think most Master locks would be similar in their function and how they behave but not these two locks. I guess I'm asking something that you or no one else can really provide for me. It's something I'm either going to have to get the hang of or just admit defeat and give up for good and accept the fact that I'm just too much of a failure to become a successful lockpick. As you can tell, my confidence is in the dumps and for good reason. I see these guys on YouTube raking open master locks with all the ease in the world yet I'm having an absolute motherf'$#/er of a time getting one to open at all. Well I guess I'll just keep searching around the forums, see what I can acquire for info and keep "practicing" on the locks I have. Thanks again for your time given to a lowly idiotic wannabe lockpick.

[SaintAccardo]

Just as I posted this, I went back to the lock and was feeling as lightly as I could and I picked it. I guess it gives feedback but ever so slightly. Almost none at all really. Your guys advice helped though. Thanks alot.

[silvfox1200]

Yes on some of those Master Locks, The feedback is very light or none at all. I went thru the same thing a while back. I could open them without even trying, and then one day I lost it. Took me a while to get it back. I am going thru that stage again but with 6 pin locks. thought I had the hang of it and then this morning everything stopped. No locks want to open. Your problem and my problem will work itself out.

Thanks.

James

[SaintAccardo]

That is not good news to hear. It just goes to show that I'm right in the fact that one can never learn to pick these consistently. I mean, how in gods name can you ever learn something that gives you no cues whatsoever letting you know "Ok, that felt/sounded/looks familiar." I just don't see how? It's funny because I'll try for hours (just spent three and a half hours trying today) and then I'll go to pick it up again and I'll pick it open but I can never duplicate my performance, ever! It's gotten me so mad that I haven't been this mad for as long as I can remember.

[silvfox1200]

Buy some rekeyable locks. Remove the pins from some of the locks. Start with one lock with one pin and feel the tension and pressure it takes to set the pin. Next set up one lock with two pins and do the same thing. Keep at it until you can pick the one pin and two pin. Keep your locks set this way for a while. When You can pick those without any problem then go to a three pin lock and then a 4 pin and 5 pin. Don't go tho the next lock until you can pick those without any problem. If it takes you a week on the one pin lock then pick it for a week. Then the same thing on the two pin and etc.

Thanks

James

[allan501]

What Silvfox1200 said! +++++++++++++++++++

Pinning your locks will give you a chance to see how they work. When you are picking you should be able to visualize what is going on without looking.

You also have to teach your fingers the movements and the feel of what you are doing. If you were learning to play the piano you would spend hundreds of hours playing scales. This is the equivalent.

Once you start getting that first pin also practice making you tension and picking as gentle as possible. I know that when I get frustrated I tend to up the pressure which is exactly the wrong thing. The lighter you can go the more progress you will make.

Also don't be afraid to put everything down and go for a walk or something when you get frustrated. Then you can come back and start fresh.

[billdeserthills]

That is not good news to hear. It just goes to show that I'm right in the fact that one can never learn to pick these consistently. I mean, how in gods name can you ever learn something that gives you no cues whatsoever letting you know "Ok, that felt/sounded/looks familiar." I just don't see how? It's funny because I'll try for hours (just spent three and a half hours trying today) and then I'll go to pick it up again and I'll pick it open but I can never duplicate my performance, ever! It's gotten me so mad that I haven't been this mad for as long as I can remember.

Remember if it was easy, there would be no challenge in it.
Every lock has a dif feel and you must be calm in order to be receptive
to that feeling. Don't try to force the lock to open. you want to trick it into opening
a little spray lubricant will often help. I know when I'm getting mad at a lock the likely
ending is gonna be my drill busting it up. You don't want that, so you need to let it flow