My Progress And Challenges

[jbearnolimits]

I just wanted to give a small update on my progress as a beginner and maybe get some tips on the challenges I'm facing to advance. After getting my first lockpick set for Christmas this past year I was able to pick the acrylic see through practice locks within a few minutes time. First I did the padlock, then double sided door lock, then the deadbolt. I'm now able to open all of them in seconds with single pin picking.

One odd thing I noticed with that padlock is the binding order is 2,3,5,4 but it seems you have to go back to five after again just to give it a slight nudge to open the lock. Sometimes this happens and sometimes not, but I find it odd.

After these locks I moved onto a dollar tree padlock from toolbench. I quickly learned real world locks feel A LOT different than the practice ones. I took weeks trying to open it. I learned about top of the way tensioning as the keyhole was too small. The pins also provided a challenge as it felt like I would set one pin and another would drop. And it kept going in a cycle like that when single pin picking. I ended up being able to rake it open a couple times with a city rake though. Still don't know if I could have ever single pin picked it (let me know your thoughts) because the keyhole is now wider than when I began and I don't have a tension wrench that will fit. Also, this lock claimed the life of my city rake RIP.

So, I went out and bought another $6 padlock. Want to know it's binding order? Pin 1...that's it lol. I thought it was so easy that I gave it to my wife (who isn't into the hobby) and after telling her how a lock works and how to use the tension wrench and pick she popped it open as soon as she put the pick in lol.

Moving on from there I got a Master Lock 131Q Covered Aluminum Padlock. I can single pin pick it every time. The binding order is simply 4,3.

Finally I was given 3 rusty old locks. One seems totally busted which I've asked about in another thread. Another one I got to be able to open after some time. It's pins seemed "squishy" and it seemed like I was having to go back to pick the same pins over and over. I still don't understand why...maybe you do?

And finally I'm working on one that is also old and rusty but it is strange in that turning the key to open it will open the lock, but you can't pull out the key with it unlocked. You have to lock it back which spins the key back around to be pulled out. It takes a little more pressure to turn the key than others. I picked it once...but am having trouble. It seems I can set the pins because if I loosen the tension I hear them drop one by one (5 pins in total). But it seems like even with all 5 set I can't turn it. As I said, I managed once but I feel that was more luck.

Anyway, that's my journey so far. Any tips or things to consider about the challenges I'm facing would be great. Thanks!

[GWiens2001]

When the key can unlock the padlock and it can not be removed until the lock is locked, that is called Key Retaining(KR). If the key can be removed when the padlock is unlocked, it is called Non Key Retaining (NKR).

Gordon

[jbearnolimits]

When the key can unlock the padlock and it can not be removed until the lock is locked, that is called Key Retaining(KR). If the key can be removed when the padlock is unlocked, it is called Non Key Retaining (NKR).

Gordon

Thanks, I'll look into this. One other question... what would make me have to pick the same pins over and over? I mean, if I set it why would I have to go back to set it again?

[GWiens2001]

When the key can unlock the padlock and it can not be removed until the lock is locked, that is called Key Retaining(KR). If the key can be removed when the padlock is unlocked, it is called Non Key Retaining (NKR).

Gordon

Thanks, I'll look into this. One other question... what would make me have to pick the same pins over and over? I mean, if I set it why would I have to go back to set it again?

That has to do with binding order, and frequently with security pins, too. If you pick them out of order, then when when you pick what should have been the next pin in the binding order, it drops the pin that was set too soon.

Also, sometimes it is easier to pick the security pins into a false set. Then pick them out of the false set and into the true set.

Gordon

[demux]

When the key can unlock the padlock and it can not be removed until the lock is locked, that is called Key Retaining(KR).

Also sometimes designated as NRK (non removable key) by some of the padlock manufacturers.

I know, no possibility of confusion between NRK and NKR at all. Make sure you accurately read the specs when you buy these... I once had a decent size order (I think about a dozen locks) that I placed where I did specify the function correctly but the distributor misread it and sent me the wrong ones.

Fun fact, most padlocks can be converted between NRK and NKR functions by the addition/removal/replacement of one or two small parts inside. If you want to change the function of yours, let us know what make/model it is and we may be able to give you some pointers.

[jbearnolimits]

When the key can unlock the padlock and it can not be removed until the lock is locked, that is called Key Retaining(KR).

Also sometimes designated as NRK (non removable key) by some of the padlock manufacturers.

I know, no possibility of confusion between NRK and NKR at all. Make sure you accurately read the specs when you buy these... I once had a decent size order (I think about a dozen locks) that I placed where I did specify the function correctly but the distributor misread it and sent me the wrong ones.

Fun fact, most padlocks can be converted between NRK and NKR functions by the addition/removal/replacement of one or two small parts inside. If you want to change the function of yours, let us know what make/model it is and we may be able to give you some pointers.

I'm having a good bit of trouble with this one. I can't seem to get it open. It has 4 pins and after I pick them it won't open. I can hear all 4 drop 1 by 1 as I let the tension up slowly so I know they are getting set. Is there something special about these types of locks that I need to know when picking?

Oh, and yes, the key opens it so the lock is working.

[GWiens2001]

Just because you hear for clicks does not mean that all four pins are set, or that they are correctly set.

Gordon

[jbearnolimits]

Just because you hear for clicks does not mean that all four pins are set, or that they are correctly set.

Gordon

Yeah, I'm not just going by the sound though. I can feel the key pins feel like they are just floppy after "setting" the pins. But I'm starting to consider that they may be under set or maybe there are spool pins or something giving me a false set.

[demux]

It could very easily be a false set. Most of the cheap big-box store padlocks are NKR, so if yours is a NRK I'm guessing it's at least halfway decent quality. It would not surprise me if there were one or more security pins. Try backing off the tension very slightly and hit each of the pins again, and see if anything moves.

[jbearnolimits]

It could very easily be a false set. Most of the cheap big-box store padlocks are NKR, so if yours is a NRK I'm guessing it's at least halfway decent quality. It would not surprise me if there were one or more security pins. Try backing off the tension very slightly and hit each of the pins again, and see if anything moves.

It's a Braslok with HONGKONG etched into the bottom of it. I don't know if that would be of any help or not figuring it out.