Tubulars, combinations, and my first post.

[cynebald]

A brief background of me and lock picking.
I bought a basic lock-picking set a while back from Southern Ordnance and have just recently begun to use it with success. I have picked, pin by pin (no raking), two simple locks thus far: Master Lock No. 1 and Master Lock No. 3 (both have four pins). I was overtaken by ecstacy when I, about one week ago, picked my first lock; simple Master Lock locks no longer overpower me.

Knowledge I seek.
I am thinking of buying either one or two Adjustable Tubular Manipulation Picks (see bottom of page if you click link) from Southern Ordnance by the end of this month because I want, and because for existing customers, they are only $59.95 a piece or $109.95 for both (versus the regular $79.95 a piece or $144.95 for both; a considerable savings). They offer two kinds: a 7 pin pick and an 8 pin pick. I want to know more about the locks that these two picks bypass: which lock is more popular?, in what applications are each used?, are there other kinds of tubulars besides the 7 and 8 pin kinds?, et cetera.

What methods are there to bypass Master Lock No. 175 (or combination locks in general)? Is padlock shimming the only?

Thanks. I look forward to enlightening discussion.

[Pickermeapie]

7-Pin Tubulars are by far the most popular Tubular lock. The variations in the seven pin are where the 8-pin pick comes in. If you have a 7-pin offset left or right, you can remove a slider on the appropiate side to pick it properly. There are 8 Pin locks, but I have never seen one. There are some varietys of locks that have four or five pin, I have only seen those on old computers, locking the keyboard. (ahh memories). I have never seen a pick for those but if it is a four pin lock, you can pick it manually or with a conically shaped tin piece. I am not sure about the 175 but padlock shims will only work on certian locks.

[digital_blue]

A newbie.. with a well organized post... with bold category headers... with hyperlinked reference... oh... my... I think I'm... hyperventilating.....


j/k. Welcome to the forum!

db

[Chrispy]

Rare as hens teeth I tell ya.

[Shrub]

You can buy the 8 pin pick and modify it to work the 7 and 8 pin locks, there is a very good guide on how to do this on this site and one which i did myself.

[DrStu]

There is a cool Bypass method for the Master 175 on the DVD Lockpicking for the New Millennium. The creator of the DVD hangs around on this forum sometimes, I think his username is Samsonai. He might share some info with you if you ask him.

[cynebald]

Thanks, Pickermeapie, digital_blue, Chrispy, Shrub, and DrStu for the information and welcoming; all were helpful. Actually, I think I have changed my mind on buying one or two tubular picks. Instead I am probably going to buy, thanks to DrStu's comment, Lockpicking for the New Millennium and an improved lock-picking set (the twenty piece lock pick set with metal handles), both from Southern Ordnance and both included in their Christmas special at a nice price.

My skills are obviously lacking, for I was unable yesterday to pick a Master Lock No. 1 and No. 3 (different from the ones I already successfully picked). With one it looked like I had all of the pins at their sheer line, but my tension tool did not turn unlocking the lock, and with the other I had all pins at their sheer line but one, and I was unable to get the last pin there. It was weird.

[Pickermeapie]

I would suggest working on a Kwikset or comparable larger lock. Some of those padlocks can be difficult with their High Low combinations and small keyways. The funny thing is I have a #1 Master with a 9193 Combination that I have a hard time picking, but I can pick a American fairly easily. I would say don't judge your skills on padlocks alone. Try some door locks and then make a determination.