Transparent versus master lock.

[Cyberwasp56]

I'm new to picking and picked up a Sparrow Tuxedo kit and the Southord C801 pick set. I successfully picked the brass practice lock from the Sparrow. A friend dropped off an old Master lock for me to work on and tried. I surprised myself as I got it opened in about 4 minutes after remembering from a video that master locks require heavier tension. I will say the the key was hard to remove. Do lock picker use some type of oil or special spray to loosen the cores with?

I also ordered one of those transparent practice locks so I could see the pins and learn how far to place the pick into the core. However, when I tried to pick it, I had more trouble than I did with the master even though I could see the pins. I did get it once but not since. Am I missing something. They are only six pins and made to be picked, right? TIA

[Squelchtone]

Hello,

Sounds like you are off to a good start! A can of WD-40, Mil-Comm Lock Saver, or Houdini will do wonders to loosen things up in that old Master lock padlock.

As for the see thru transparent padlock, it is made of acrylic, and the tolerances are going to be less than stellar. One thing I noticed when picking see thru locks is that I am 100% sure that I have the pins set to the shear line but the lock still wont open. I would like to attribute that the refraction in the same way that when you put a straw into a glass of water, the straw above the water appears offset from the straw in the water.

But honestly, the see through locks are more to drive home the concept of how the parts inside interact with each other and to teach you how far to insert the pick and how to dip and dodge under pins in order to get to pins deeper in the lock. Those see through locks are not really made to make you a better picker. That has more to do with feeling feedback on the pick and the turning tool and using your experience to build up your confidence and your mental eye of what is happening inside the lock while you are picking it.

Keep practicing and if a lock gives you trouble, put it down and work on another lock before coming back to the one that has you stumped.

Squelchtone

[Cyberwasp56]

Thank you, I did just that and went to the master lock to prove to myself I wasn't losing my mind. What's odd is that with the master lock I can feel the pins setting, but with the transparent lock I can't feel or see any pins willing to lock. I first tried light tension and then hard and none of them are sticking. I'll try again tomorrow as right now my arms are tight. Not sure if you caught my profile but am handicapped from cp, but it doesn't stop me from trying.

[Squelchtone]

Thank you, I did just that and went to the master lock to prove to myself I wasn't losing my mind. What's odd is that with the master lock I can feel the pins setting, but with the transparent lock I can't feel or see any pins willing to lock. I first tried light tension and then hard and none of them are sticking. I'll try again tomorrow as right now my arms are tight. Not sure if you caught my profile but am handicapped from cp, but it doesn't stop me from trying.

Make sure the transparent locks actually unlocks with the key in both directions, some padlocks only unlock clockwise, and you could waste a lot of time trying to pick it with your wrench pressing on the plug counter clockwise. Don't let the CP slow you down or define who you are. You're just as capable as any of us, and we support your effort and willingness to try!

Squelchtone

[FranklyFlawless]

Do lock picker use some type of oil or special spray to loosen the cores with?

I do not, but others sometimes do. Usually it has to do with lock maintenance or on-the-job tasks locksmiths carry out.

They are only six pins and made to be picked, right?

Transparent locks are mostly used as instructional props to showcase its individual components. They are not intentionally designed for effective lockpicking, although you are free to attempt doing so anyways.

[Cyberwasp56]

I think II found my niche with what picks to use. I have the southford C801 and the Sparrow tuxedo for which I successfully picked the brass, transparent practice lock and and D3 and M5 from master. However, they have eluded me since. Yesterday I picked up a Covert Genesis pick set and today picked all 4 locks several times. I like how the feel in my hand since I'm handycapped.

I do have a question for the group. The only lock I can feel the pins actually setting in is the M5. His that might be due to the core return spring or something I'm doing wrong with the other locks. I also find I do better with using a TOK tension bar on the bottom. Any advice is appreciated. I'm just doing this for fun when I'm bored! TIA

[FranklyFlawless]

Locks vary in manufactoring tolerances, so the auditory and tactile feedback will be different with each one. Once you start picking more challenging locks, feedback will become more noticeable and distinctive.