Beginners frustration?

[TeamSherman]

Hi folks,

I’ve been playing around with about 7 or so padlocks that I own for about 2 weeks now and in the first week I was doing really well with a cheap ebay set of picks which I customised by filing them down and making them smooth ect.

I received a southord kit a few days ago and now nearly every lock I own has become near impossible for me to crack.

Is there a period in the beginning where my skills will go from good to bad then back to good or have I just buggered the locks I’ve been playing with? They do open with keys still and thats what is frustrating me!!

Anyway, what was it like for you as a beginner? Did you have beginners luck that faded away or am I just expecting too much too soon?

Cheers,

Al.

[GWiens2001]

It goes back and forth sometimes. You can try cleaning out the locks or using some lube.

Gordon

[Squelchtone]

Hi,

are you raking, or lifting pins 1 by 1 using a hook pick? What kind of padlocks? could you share some photos of the locks, and their keyways?

When you pick, does brass glitter come out of the keyway and onto your fingers?

Is your finger turning white from pressing hard on the turning tool??

Thanks
Squelchtone

[AngryHatter]

You may find feedback differs from pick to pick.

I have some SouthOrd and never got along with them.

But a Peterson and I am just fine.

[TeamSherman]

Hi,

are you raking, or lifting pins 1 by 1 using a hook pick? What kind of padlocks? could you share some photos of the locks, and their keyways?

When you pick, does brass glitter come out of the keyway and onto your fingers?

Is your finger turning white from pressing hard on the turning tool??

Thanks
Squelchtone

Hey mate,

I’m lifting pins one by one with a hook pick and no my finger isnt pressing hard enough to turn white on the torque wrench. This lock just wont rake open either.

There is no glitter coming out and funnily enough since posting this I have opened it twice and on each time it took me about 6 seconds. I just cant get it every try which is what I want really.

As for the brand, its a 20-25mm Medalist (el cheapo) I had lying around at home.

I’ll keep at it as this lock might be the one that teaches me to be more subtle, unless you think I need to be more brutal with it???

Cheers,

Al.

[GWiens2001]

Sometimes the cheap locks can be very hit or miss in operation. Also, sometimes picking with a bit too much gusto or force can cause a burr on the side of the pin, which catches in the pin channel. This can cause the lock to have problems until the gall wears off or falls out.

Gordon

[ragebot]

Sometimes the cheap locks can be very hit or miss in operation. Also, sometimes picking with a bit too much gusto or force can cause a burr on the side of the pin, which catches in the pin channel. This can cause the lock to have problems until the gall wears off or falls out.

Gordon

While this seems counter intuitive it was one of the hardest things for me to learn; that cheap locks can be harder to pick than middle of the road locks and that the ease of picking them can change over time. Locks are made out of metal which is not standard in hardness; same goes for tolerances. Often times cheap locks, often made in China, use poor quality pot metal and internals are not subject to any QC. When people talk about metal flakes falling out on your fingers is is not always that obvious. You also may gently knock the lock on a clean flat surface and the displaced metal may will be easier to notice.

Most of us have had a new key made and it has sharp edges that will wear down to smooth ones over time. I suspect (maybe the smart guys can weigh in here) there is not a one to one ration in the wear a lock is subject to when it is unlocked with a key compared to the wear when a lock is picked. Not to mention a less skilled picker like me probably subjects the lock to a lot more wear picking it than a much more skilled picker.


A lot of times it is not really possible to figure out why a lock is hard to pick one time and easy to pick another time. One thing I have noticed is that if I am sitting in front of the TV and trying to pick a lock is much harder than if I go in a dark quite room, close my eyes and concentrate only on picking. But almost everyone can get better by spending more time picking.

[GWiens2001]

And many times have been picking while watching a movie at home and pop... up springs the shackle on a lock that I've been trying to open for weeks. Sometimes you can focus too hard.

Gordon

[ragebot]

And many times have been picking while watching a movie at home and pop... up springs the shackle on a lock that I've been trying to open for weeks. Sometimes you can focus too hard.

Gordon

I have never been able to understand when a lock will unlock.

[GWiens2001]

And many times have been picking while watching a movie at home and pop... up springs the shackle on a lock that I've been trying to open for weeks. Sometimes you can focus too hard.

Gordon

I have never been able to understand when a lock will unlock.

It unlocks when it bloody well wants to. Nothing we do will change that.

Gordon

[TeamSherman]

And many times have been picking while watching a movie at home and pop... up springs the shackle on a lock that I've been trying to open for weeks. Sometimes you can focus too hard.

Gordon

Thats exactly how I’ve managed to open the lock I originally posted about! I’ll be sitting there watching telly while gently playing around with the lock and click, open she goes but if I’m sitting there consciously doing it she stays put!!

[Ian_425]

I have a master lock I keep as my “feel good” lock when I am having a rough go at getting a lock open. Light tension and then no matter what I use, a hook, a rake, a piece of hair, whatever... just slide your tool of choice into the keyway, wiggle ever so slightly and OPEN.

[GWiens2001]

I have a master lock I keep as my “feel good” lock when I am having a rough go at getting a lock open. Light tension and then no matter what I use, a hook, a rake, a piece of hair, whatever... just slide your tool of choice into the keyway, wiggle ever so slightly and OPEN.

Those confidence locks really can help a lot.

Keep in mind that if you are doing things throughout the day that relate to impact or vibration, it will affect your ability to feel what is happening with your lock picking. Being a professional mechanic, picking at the end of the day can be a challenge.

Gordon