Mr. Squelchtone I have a quick question just for you.

[cledry]

LOL, I'll have to show my ratty pick case. I think I have multiples of 3 picks and that's it and a few tension wrenches and that's about it. I might add I am not a hobbyist, so I am perhaps more impatient; if it doesn't pick quickly or bump then out comes the drill or another means of entry.

[casper111]

WOW
Mr Squelchtone looks like you've packed yourself quite an arsenal there! I won't try to compare myself to you because you you have reached the Master level in lockpicking and I'm just starting off, but at your level, how many of all those picks would you use. I have read that some incredibly skillful pickers who get large sets and use all the picks, and I've read about some that only use a couple. Would you find that as you increased level you needed to get more picks? Or did you just want to give them all a try. Alot of the picks you have are the same type but are from a different maker. So would a specific type lock call for a specific make pick?
Thank you
WOW what an arsenal !

[GWiens2001]

Here are my pick sets. Some are missing from the pictures - 2 sets of Raimundo's Bogota pick, another titanium set from Serepick, impressioning tools, and anything bypass related. Also, most sets below have at least some extra tension wrenches added.

First a set of Legion303 picks



A set of picks from Deviant Olam's site



This next set is the one I use the most. There are a few cheap commercial picks that came with a book, but most of them are made by me. The case was originally for makeup brushes. Do I have enough stuff packed into it?





Took everything out of it for the picture.



Tubular pick, my favorite dimple pick made by Femurat, and an automotive rake made by Indigochild.



Any my most recent acquisitions, received yesterday - several sets. First, a Peterson pick set



An HPC pick set, a pick gun, circular tensioner, a plug spinner, wafer jigglers and a warded pick set



And a Matco automotive pick/jiggler set



And if/when I want more picks, a few wiper inserts.





Gordon

P.S. If anybody needs some wiper inserts, I have some to spare if you will pay shipping.

[fgarci03]

I might add I am not a hobbyist, so I am perhaps more impatient; if it doesn't pick quickly or bump then out comes the drill or another means of entry.

Well, I have this case like this for some special occasion that might never happen when I'm called for a real lockout, so I have everything I might need (that is within my skill) for the "job".

Usually if I take my picks with me (practically only do it when I go somewhere where I'll have spare time to practice) I take one or two locks with me and just the picks I will need for those in a Southord small case. This case hasn't left my room for months...


@Gordon: NICE picks! I specially like your go-go case. LOTS of wrenches and I see shims, the plug spinners and homemade warded picks. In fact, go-go tools for the majority of situations! YAY!
I've never been very handy to make picks myself, I only make wrenches and a couple other tools.

Now, questions for you!
1) I've been wanting to get a tubular pick for some time. Most stuff here is 7 pins, so that's what I'll be getting. Does it vary in size? Or a 7 pin, is a 7 pin?
2) The auto rake from Indigochild, looks interesting, what about that design that makes it work?
3) Have you tried the circular tensioner? Is it worth it? (Heard you have to bend the tips to make it fit, increasing the risk of breaking them )
4) That Matco set, is it worth it? I haven't gone to autos yet so I have no idea if it's worth to have a dedicated pick set, or just use regular tools

Thanks!

[GWiens2001]

@Gordon: NICE picks! I specially like your go-go case. LOTS of wrenches and I see shims, the plug spinners and homemade warded picks. In fact, go-go tools for the majority of situations! YAY!

Not to mention 2 kinds of manual tensioners for tubular locks, and yes, those are actually bobby pin tension wrenches and diamond pick.

Now, questions for you!
1) I've been wanting to get a tubular pick for some time. Most stuff here is 7 pins, so that's what I'll be getting. Does it vary in size? Or a 7 pin, is a 7 pin?

There are several sizes of 7 pin tubular locks. (Three that I am aware of). Not sure what sizes are best. I have two tubular picks, one of which came in the kit I received yesterday. As that kit has a bunch of stuff that belongs in the advanced section, did not post pictures of the kit, just the pick kits inside it. For tubular locks, I usually just use a tensioner and a straight pick. Most frequently, I straighten one of those safety pins out and use it as a straight pick.

2) The auto rake from Indigochild, looks interesting, what about that design that makes it work?

It is designed for the wafer-type automotive locks, though I have had success using it on some Honda sidewinder locks in my collection. I will PM you specifics, but as automotive is advanced, can not post more here.

3) Have you tried the circular tensioner? Is it worth it? (Heard you have to bend the tips to make it fit, increasing the risk of breaking them )

I have tried it. This particular circular tension wrench has one side spring loaded, so it can adjust to different height keyways. While it can be useful in some situations, you lose ALL feedback you normally receive from your tension wrench. While I will practice a little with it just to know what it is all about, I think it would only be useful when there is no space for a normal tension wrench. It may also work for automotive locks, holding the trap door open, as well as maximizing space for the pick to fit.

4) That Matco set, is it worth it? I haven't gone to autos yet so I have no idea if it's worth to have a dedicated pick set, or just use regular tools

Have not really tried that kit yet. Did not know it would be in the kit I received. But having used old worn out keys as jigglers before, they should work. But they look like they could use a little polishing to knock off the sharp edges.

Thanks!

You are most very welcome!

Gordon

[YouLuckyFox]

Impressioning Tools include: 20x jewelers loupe, 60x - 100x pocket microscope, foil tape to help me start off a nickel plated blank (haven't bought bulk brass blanks in awhile,) HPC Clean Grip Impressioning Tool, Swiss File, cylinders to help with key duplication and impressioning/SPP practice.

Peterson Snake, Key Extractor, and Slender Reach. I bought the Ken's Pick Set after rediscovering lockpicking (after putting it down for three years ) I found that my homemade TWs were more effective than any of the included TWs, and I used the Slender Reach for everything, I favor how it can work under a low-high combo and it's just what I've fallen in love with. Traded the rest of the kit for other things I used. I just purchased another Reach, Gem, and a Prybar and Prybar Lite, we'll see how that goes!

A brief foray with bump-keying (includes dampeners). A pal asked about them and I was unfamiliar, so I did a little research and just had no luck. Sloppy in my opinion, but Marc Tobias has proven its effectiveness, definitely gonna pick this skill up and try to buff and polish later.

A shim for cam locks made from the tweezers in a Swiss Army Knife, comb picks, Z-wire tool

Plug Spinner

US Army Dopp Kit - I cut the hanging pouch and zipper off, I like how it compacts down quite a bit and opens right up when I need it to.


Highly jealous of the warded picks and a lot of the tension wrenches I am seeing. This topic has been very helpful for me in considering going deeper into locksmithing.

[fgarci03]

Nice!

[YouLuckyFox]

Thank you very much!

[YouLuckyFox]

@GWiens2001:
I like the hanging folder jacket spine hiding among the rest of the street sweeper bristles , have you had any luck making picks from them? Folder jackets are easier to find than street sweeper bristles in the particular area I'm currently in.

[GWiens2001]

@YLF - Have not them too great for picks... too much bend, not enough spring. They do work for tension wrenches that hook on top and bottom. Maybe you have better folder hanger strips there.

The street sweepers here use nylon bristles. To say the least, they make lousy picks. But being a mechanic, I have a huge supply of wipe inserts whenever I want them. If you need some, all I ask is that you pay for shipping.

Gordon