Newbie question - the limits of picks and pick sets

[skutter]

hello!

I got a 5 piece set of Southord lock picks for Christmas. I fished out a couple of small padlocks (3pins?) and a TSA travel lock and found i could pick these very quickly and easily with little actual skill - but still felt cool that the picks '"worked". I then got a much beefier padlock - I spent a fair amount of time (Read hours) trying to pick it to no avail - i then read up on ways that locks and padlocks have been made to making picking difficult - so i discovered about security pins and other anti picking features.

I then began to wonder - realistically how many types of locks can i expect to be able to pick? or more how advanced a lock can i expect to be able to learn to pick with such a small range of tools?

I'm planning on ordering some cutaway locks to practice on and im wondering if i should order a few more picks with it.

Any info tips etc will be much appreciated

Skutter
Sweden.

[liffa]

Titta på Bosnianbill.

[Squelchtone]

The limit of your pick set is not with the pick set, it is with the skill level of the person using the pick set.

If you mailed me your pick set, I could open a Medeco high security lock with your tools, but at this point with your limited skill it is not something you could do without a lot of luck or easy key combination.

It is true that some locks require special custom made tools to manipulate the parts inside the lock, and some require special tension tools that are smaller or bigger than a normal Southord pick set in order to fit better into the keyway.

I think if you got an ASSA 600 oval cylinder and took it apart and filled it with 1 pin stack, and picked that easily, and then moved to 2 pin stacks and got good at picking that, then keep adding pin stacks until you have 5 or 6 or 7 pin stacks installed, you could easily use your Southord hook pick to become very very good, but this will take time and practice.

Right now you went from super easy to something just a little better and you've hit a wall. It is natural to blame the tools, but it is simply because you are new at this and need more guidance, patience, and practice.

If you take a photo of your pickset or show us a link to the model you have we can tell you more about it and which tools are useful in different situations.

Happy Picking!
Squelchtone

[cj101]

I disassembled quite a few locks by now and found only one so far, which could not have been opened by my goso pickset (gege lock).

I totally agree with the other posts, that it usually the lack of experience stops one from opening a lock.

[jimu57]

Like one locksmith said, you need 1 tension wrench and 1 pick. Some that I know carry a small set of 5 or 6 pcs.

[Old-Iowan]

As a I am also a newbie to lock picking I just want to affirm and agree with the answers you've received and especially the one from Squelchtone - I have hit some of these walls and with frustration and perseverance I keep chipping away at the walls and some come down sooner than others and based on the help I've received I truly believe it's more the man than the tools and that progress only comes with time and practice - My wall now is dealing with locks with spool pins - So I'll convey to you what I've been told, read, watch YouTube, and practice and then keep practicing and as they say "It's a poor workman that blames his tools" BUT as stated there will be locks that do require a special tool(s) but IMHO they are the few and not the many - Hang in there as you are going down the road many have and are traveling - Best wishes form and old-man newbie

[skutter]

Firstly thanks very much for your replies,

secondly this is the set
http://www.southord.com/Lock-Pick-Tools ... S-05L.html

- when i look at pick sets i see that many contain more and a wider variation - thus i have been lead to believe that to open a wide variety of locks one needs a wide range of tools - but i take it that for a lot of locks that a wide range of tools may make it easier to pick a certain lock but that same lock wont be impossible to open with a simple / smaller selection of picks.

I would also like to say i wasn't blaming my tools - it just made me wonder if there are limits to what can be done - you cant drive 120mph on a 50cc moped - so its not worth wasting the time even trying if you see what i mean - I have no one nearby who can tell me if i was trying the impossible or like you all say i just need practice, and from you said i have no need to rush out and buy wider range of picks to go beyond simple locks , i like keeping things simple, and of course its going to take time to develop technique but if it was really easy - it would be boring after 10 minutes - like those simple padlocks.


Yesterday i ordered a couple of cutaway euro locks - the pins can be changed and it includes security pins so i think these will help me learn what is happening in relation to the feedback i am getting from the picks and see exactly how i am manipulating them.

[74TR6]

Your set is a good basic set of picks. You may gain skill faster or slower than others; but practice, practice, practice is the route. I have been trying to improve my skills for several years; and still feel I am a beginner many time. I spend more time with safes and don't continue practice as I should. Recently I was given 30 - 40 cylinder locks, I attempt one or two a night. Some take only a few seconds, some a good bit longer, and two have kicked my butt for several days (one is a Falcon)

As you practice, you will discover some tools you need to add to set. A keyway that too narrow or complex for your standard pick needs a thinner one. One needing top of keyway tension will have you adding a pry bar style

Hang in there. Best of luck

[skutter]

Thanks again for the replies and the encouragement, - Looks like there is lot to learn and lots of practice needed - so should keep me busy!

[Malekal]

I bought the PSX-14, but I really only use the half diamond and the normal hook. which you also have in your set (From the left, pick 2 and 3).
I thought too at first that I missed tools but with practice, you get the hang of it and realize you may not need that many tools.

I have more than a dozen opened lock and padlocks now, all with that same basic set.

Keep at it, and don't give up.