any good for a newbie?

by **Jett** » 2 Sep 2006 16:20

I hate the word "newbie" but I couldn't resist...

So basically, I was reading a bunch of stuff about the lock picking portion of Defcon (ignore everything before this statement if you don't know what Defcon is) and I got interested in lock picking. Instantly I googled "lock picking" and I came up with a result that had a flash animation about how lock picking works (not a step-by-step guide or anything) and I understood it completely.

Now, I've never actualy done any picking nor have even seen anyone do it in front of me, etc., but I would like to get into it. I found this kit on lockpickshop.com and I was wondering if it was good for someone like myself who has no expierience:

http://www.lockpickshop.com/p-MPXS-11.html

perhaps there's a better kit that's more newbie-friendly?

If this is a repost or I shouldn't be asking this in this question (etc. etc.), I apologize. I'm just trying to find a quick answer.

That is all.

by **Ray_Air** » 2 Sep 2006 16:54

Sure, that pick set will work, but you have to know how to use them. A decent free guide to how a lock works and basic picking techniques is the MIT Lockpicking Guide:
http://www.lysator.liu.se/mit-guide/mit-guide.html

Read it, then go to amazon.com and find some good used books on lockpicking like The Secrets of Lock Picking ,etc.

by **Krypos** » 2 Sep 2006 17:22

Ray_Air wrote:Sure, that pick set will work, but you have to know how to use them. A decent free guide to how a lock works and basic picking techniques is the MIT Lockpicking Guide:
http://www.lysator.liu.se/mit-guide/mit-guide.html

Read it, then go to amazon.com and find some good used books on lockpicking like The Secrets of Lock Picking ,etc.

the MIT guide is awesome. but you dont have to buy books. trust me. this site has a GINORMOUS amount of information, and if/when you get access to the advanced section, there is pretty much no lock that you cant learn about. and dont worry about the advanced section until much later, because there is so much info in the public sections, it could take you months to read it all, and shrub actually has.

a good place to start, would be the beginning, here:

viewtopic.php?t=10528

that should get you started fairly well.

enjoy!

by **Kaotik** » 2 Sep 2006 18:03

That is a good set, and a decent price I might add. The good thing about this site is that you get all the information you could ever hope for in one location.

by **Jett** » 2 Sep 2006 18:06

2 questions:

1: I can't tell by the size of the picture, but does this come with a rake?
2: This is an unrelated question but I don't feel like making a new topic: What kind of locks do soda machines use? Are they tubular or what?

by **Jett** » 2 Sep 2006 18:12

Erm maybe I'm stupid but I can't edit my post?

But yeah, I figured out what kind of locks vending machines (etc.) use. I'll considering purchasing one of those more expensive picks for tubular locks at a later date.

by **Krypos** » 2 Sep 2006 18:24

this is whats in the mpxs-11:

short hook
small diamond
snake rake
large diamond
snowman/double ball
s rake
broken key extractor
double sided pick, m rake and small diamond. (maybe a s rake variant, not m rake)

2 tension wrenches, one twist flex.

enjoy!

by **Jett** » 2 Sep 2006 18:46

Thanks for the info. I take it that the small hook is the most used?

by **dmux** » 2 Sep 2006 18:48

yes it is, mostly for single pin picking, but it can serve as a rake also

by **Krypos** » 3 Sep 2006 2:27

sorry, i wrote that on my way out the door today,

edit:

i meant to say 2 tension wrenches, and one twist flex tension wrench, for a total of 3 wrenches.

and yes, the hook is the most used, as it is one of the most versatile picks in existance. probably the original pick as well.

but really, tension is where its at my friend, any experienced (and anyone lucky enough to realize, or learn it) will tell you to invest your money (after you figure out if you like this hobby) in tension wrenches of all sizes and shapes and all, because you can almost use anything to pick if you have perfect tension.

but wait to buy anything more until you have tried it out and see if you like it. then shop around.

by **!*AMP*!** » 3 Sep 2006 9:26

Krypos is right, tension is the holy grail of LPing'. Practice is the key to learning tension, yet, you can use a safety pin properly if perfect tension is applied.

Many new people, myself included, have messed up some tools because of improperr tension (ie. too much tension). I find that a light touch helps you out when starting out.

by **Jett** » 3 Sep 2006 9:37

!*AMP*! wrote:Krypos is right, tension is the holy grail of LPing'. Practice is the key to learning tension, yet, you can use a safety pin properly if perfect tension is applied.

Many new people, myself included, have messed up some tools because of improperr tension (ie. too much tension). I find that a light touch helps you out when starting out.

I definently know what you mean by the safety pin, I saw someone use a banana and a tension wrench.

But, my friend has chosen to go with the 20 piece kit rather than the 11 and since it's only 10$ more, I think I'm going to go with it as well.

by **!*AMP*!** » 3 Sep 2006 9:39

You might as well. You know that if it catches on with you that you'll be wanting to get more tools, hehe. You might as well start off with as many tools as possible.

by **Krypos** » 3 Sep 2006 12:30

as for the banana: that was our very own digital blue. yes. he did it. and i dont know if the video shows the person who challenged him. they ended up picking their nose....with a pick.

as for tools: on one hand, a lot of tools would be nice, but on the other hand, what if you dont like picking? thats money gone. and worse, even if you do like it, you will find that you tend to use a few of those picks alot, and the rest you leave in the case most of the time.

its up to you though ultimately, its your money.

by **Jett** » 3 Sep 2006 19:04

Krypos wrote:as for the banana: that was our very own digital blue. yes. he did it. and i dont know if the video shows the person who challenged him. they ended up picking their nose....with a pick.

as for tools: on one hand, a lot of tools would be nice, but on the other hand, what if you dont like picking? thats money gone. and worse, even if you do like it, you will find that you tend to use a few of those picks alot, and the rest you leave in the case most of the time.

its up to you though ultimately, its your money.

Eh, I don't mind wasting a little bit of money. I was going to get the 11 set for sure but the 20 set was only 10$ more so why not?

I'm never going to spend more than the money that I already have unless I see, for example, a specific pick that I would want to buy (I already want a tubular 7pin pick, for example, but my job just decided that they didn't want to give me any hours this week so it's out of my price range right now)

any good for a newbie?

any good for a newbie?

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