quote="smokingman"]That second pick from left,looks like a dimple rake. At least they work ok for that. ymmv.[/quote] You are most likely correct. I refer to it as a riffle pick because that is what I have seen it advertised as with the set, I haven't ever used it because I saw it advertised as an automotive lock pick and I don't have any car locks lying around that I want to pick and I don't use rakes very much anyway. Thanks for the input, as I wasn't aware of that use.
Dang it, I hate posting twice in a row, but it won't let me edit, and I just wanted to add one more piece of information. On the set in the picture.
The double sided tension wrench that comes in the 9 piece dealxtreme set is god awful. It is too wide for most locks and doesn't have much flex to it at all. After trying to grind it down and polish it, I realized that it was also made of some kind of cheap, porous metal and threw it away. Don't let that turn you off of the set though, I would still recommend it to a beginner just getting in to the hobby. You can easily make your own tension wrenches from windshield wipers inserts that will be just as good as any premade tension wrenches that you may buy. If you don't know how, just use the search/ google it.
The Lock Artist wrote:You can easily make your own tension wrenches from windshield wipers inserts that will be just as good as any premade tension wrenches that you may buy. If you don't know how, just use the search/ google it.
In case anyone is interested, Schuyler Towne has a tutorial posted on his youtube channel about making tension wrenches from wiper blade inserts.
TLA, I've had the same problem with not being able to edit my posts. For some reason the forum only allows you to edit your post after its initial post. I'm using the edit function to add this comment. I think what happens is if you are satisfied with your post and then move on it won't let you edit it (like if you've come back to it after making another post or reading other posts here).
Hmm, I'm not sure how the edit thing works. This is my second edit to this post (after reading a separate thread), but none of the other posts I've made here can be edited, including posts in threads I started. I think maybe there's a limited window of time that the forum allows you to edit a post and then after that passes you can no longer edit your posts. I hope this helps.
Yes, I believe there is a time limit that you have to edit your post. I think its so you have time to correct any mistakes but so people don't go back changing entire posts later on which could be confusing for future readers.
The Lock Artist wrote:You can easily make your own tension wrenches from windshield wipers inserts that will be just as good as any premade tension wrenches that you may buy. If you don't know how, just use the search/ google it.
In case anyone is interested, Schuyler Towne has a tutorial posted on his youtube channel about making tension wrenches from wiper blade inserts.
Thanks for the video! I've had a couple sets of picks, and I've tested out several tension wrenches. With the exception of my peterson prybar, I've just found my favorite TOK tension!
Can you update the link to the HPC set please? And maybe change the text to say the set title so if that link goes bad too we still know what kit you're recommending.
Like most folks I bought everything in sight. What ended up happening was i gravitated to a couple favorite picks. The delima is without a number of picks to chose from you won't know which ones will become ur favorite. My suggestion Is not to buy custom picks at first. But buy one set and then add single picks that look interesting to you. This way it doesn't break ur bank. After a while you will know what you like. And what works for you. Happy picking. Docjon
Not everyone likes the same thing. My suggestion is to buy a few. Try em for awhile. Then buy a few more different ones. Eventually you will settle on a Couple u use most of the time. Docjon
What has been helpful for me starting out is DHGate.com where I can buy individual picks at like $2 a piece. Maybe not the best quality in the world, and perhaps not recommended for business, but a life saver for a beginner on a small budget.
paganpicker wrote:What has been helpful for me starting out is DHGate.com where I can buy individual picks at like $2 a piece. Maybe not the best quality in the world, and perhaps not recommended for business, but a life saver for a beginner on a small budget.
Total beginner here starting this hobby. So, what should I buy? Should I buy a set that has 7-pieces or should I go with set that has 30-pieces, does that matter at this stage? Also I don't want to spend a ton of money...
Also, should i buy these cut-away practice locks, are those the best way to start? And if so, where can I buy those for cheapest?
Bear in mind that I live in Europe, so I would like to buy everything from Europe... (If I order something from USA, it takes forever and costs a lot more because of extra customs charges and so on )
Total beginner here starting this hobby. So, what should I buy? Should I buy a set that has 7-pieces or should I go with set that has 30-pieces, does that matter at this stage? Also I don't want to spend a ton of money...
Also, should i buy these cut-away practice locks, are those the best way to start? And if so, where can I buy those for cheapest?
Bear in mind that I live in Europe, so I would like to buy everything from Europe... (If I order something from USA, it takes forever and costs a lot more because of extra customs charges and so on )
Hello,
You don't need a set with 30 pieces if just starting out. You also don't need the cutaway or clear locks for practice, they are useful to understand the mechanics of a lock, but dont help much with actual picking. We have a few Fins here who might be able to tell you a place in Europe to order a Southord set or Sparrows or some other known brand.
I got the wizwazzle set from sparrows and I love it so far but if money was an issue I would look at getting a: 1.regular hook 2.half diamond 3.worm rake 4.city rake 5.double rake 6.s rake Notice I'm heavy on the rakes because you can open eighty percent of the locks out there with rakes this will give you confidence and maybe some bragging rights but to be a really good picker you need to be able to single pin pick locks thats why the regular hook and the half diamond are at the top of the list.A video on youtube called lock picking 101 is a great help too and its free.If I could only have two picks in the world they would be one and two on my list.Good luck!
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