I'm a begginer and need a bit oh help

[Squelchtone]

Hi I'm 14 and live in the UK. I am two weeks into lock picking and have probably spent 30-45 minutes every other day using my southord pxs-14 set i got of amazon for like 17 pounds. i really like my standard hook and half diamond after using all of the tools. I have picked a few padlocks that i find lying around i think they where all standard pins the hardest one was a metal striped kryptonite padlock. I dont really know where to go from here do i buy some locks offline? or go to a shop? or a locksmiths? any advice or tips would be good, thanks

[Steelbacks]

B&Q stock mostly Master locks, but I wouldn't bother with them. They've generally got the same cores in with larger or smaller bodies depending on what they're used for. I'd personally ask a local locksmith if you could have any old cylinders out of locks he's changed for customers. Say you collect locks and are interested in how they work. Might not be a good idea to mention picking locks as many locksmiths become unfriendly when you mention picking.

All the best, and welcome!

[cj101]

I would recommend you too asking local locksmiths for old locks. I mentioned lock picking to them. But be prepared to explain a few technical details then.
If you show the locksmiths, that you indeed know something about locks and their inner working and how lock picking in principle works, the ones, I asked, were friendly.

I think if somebody comes in and tells in front of customers, that he picks locks, all locks are insecure and so on and he doesn't have any idea about locks, I can imagine the locksmith to get unhelpful.


Furthermore, have a look on ebay or equivalent sites. There you will often find old locks with keys for sale. Have a look for high quality locks.

Furthermore, if you have a bit technical experience and know how to handle a drill, you can prepare yourself a training cylinder by drilling out the reatining pins of the pin chambers and replacing it with screws. So you can change the combination of your locks easily.

[GWiens2001]

I would recommend you too asking local locksmiths for old locks. I mentioned lock picking to them. But be prepared to explain a few technical details then.
If you show the locksmiths, that you indeed know something about locks and their inner working and how lock picking in principle works, the ones, I asked, were friendly.

I think if somebody comes in and tells in front of customers, that he picks locks, all locks are insecure and so on and he doesn't have any idea about locks, I can imagine the locksmith to get unhelpful.


Furthermore, have a look on ebay or equivalent sites. There you will often find old locks with keys for sale. Have a look for high quality locks.

Furthermore, if you have a bit technical experience and know how to handle a drill, you can prepare yourself a training cylinder by drilling out the reatining pins of the pin chambers and replacing it with screws. So you can change the combination of your locks easily.

If you are on your first visit to a locksmith, DO NOT mention lockpicking! Their first thought will likely be 'criminal'. You can say you are interested in how locks work, and want some to play around with and take apart, or tell them you are interested in learning impressioning.

Just my two cents.

Gordon

[cheerIO]

If you are on your first visit to a locksmith, DO NOT mention lockpicking! Their first thought will likely be 'criminal'. You can say you are interested in how locks work, and want some to play around with and take apart, or tell them you are interested in learning impressioning.

Just my two cents.

Gordon

Definitely. DO NOT mention picking locks. And BUY SOMETHING. First time, actually the first few times, offer to buy some junk locks. Nobody wants to talk and waste time with a non-paying customer. After you buy some old locks and they don't view you as suspect, you will be "that kid who likes old locks". In a while they will just give you some, or throw some things in when you buy other stuff.

[ice_man]

personal i would buy a few cheap locks an then mention that your doing a school project about lock design an ask if he has any old locks he was going to throw away or maybe buy some locks with no keys for like 1 pound a go or something so he doesn't think your just after free locks being a kid he may be more open to you an if your really in to lock maybe ask for a Saturday job get experience an locks he gets some help its a win win

[NaShErZ]

WOW thanks guys didn't expect so many replies. I'm going to say to my local locksmith that i am curios of how the locks work and that i would like to see the insides which is still true i might see if a can buy some pins as well? ill be friendly and polite as well. thanks for the replies. really helped and if all fails ill just get my dad to go in to a different locksmiths and see what he can get. BIG thanks

[nite0wl]

WOW thanks guys didn't expect so many replies. I'm going to say to my local locksmith that i am curios of how the locks work and that i would like to see the insides which is still true i might see if a can buy some pins as well? ill be friendly and polite as well. thanks for the replies. really helped and if all fails ill just get my dad to go in to a different locksmiths and see what he can get. BIG thanks

A lot of locksmiths won't sell you just pins (they make more money by selling you the whole "repair" or "repinning" job and don't want to cut into that revenue stream) but most good locksmiths should react well to someone who comes in, buys a couple things and just expresses innocent curiosity in old locks or how things work. The important thing is to establish a good relationship with the locksmith as a customer and drop subtle hints about your curiosity about mechanisms and your interest in lock collecting.

If you really need pins and lock parts places like Amazon and Ebay can often be helpful at achievable prices. There are also some locksport/lockpicking friendly online shops that are based in the UK and might help you get some of the more specialised tools and parts you may need.