Frustrated but determined

[ForFun]

I got interested in lockpicking as a result of learning my door locks were not worth a darn because of what the news report called bump keys. Actually I went looking for information on a good lock to put on my door and came accross this forum.
I got one of those cut-away practice locks and a 5 piece Southord pick set.
I don't think there is any way I'm going to get this lock open with this pick set. The lock is great in that it lets me see exactly what I'm doing, not that I know what I'm doing.
What I've read tells me to start with the deepest pin first but it has become obvious the pins don't bind in any order. I can determine the order by raising all the pins at once, exerting tension and then slowly easing the tension to see the pins drop one at a time. Even knowing the binding order doesn't help because I can't work just one pin at a time without interfering with the others with the picks I have.
I'm willing to pay my dues in investing the time it takes to learn but I don't want to waste time by not having the proper tools. I'm willing to invest money in the necessary tools but I don't want to waste money either.
Four of the 5 pins in this lock drop down quite a ways and it's difficult to gently get any pick past. I'm quessing that either the lock set up I have is difficult. the pick set is inadequate or both, not to mention I'm pretty much at the know nothing stage.
I ordered 20 double ended SS dental tools. Having a machinist background I know that stainless is tough but soft. I should be able to hammer dental tools as flat as I want.
This morning I ordered a 32 piece Southord pick set. I would think that would have enough to get the job done as long as I put in the time.
COMMENTS PLEASE.

[Afisch]

The 32 peice should be more than enough to get you started with lockpicking. The guides on this forum are very good, as is the MIT guide as to how to start picking locks. You sound very determined so im sure it wont be too long before you pick your first lock. I havent got much of an idea about practice locks as ive never used them, i pick without really looking at the lock often in the dark as it helps me concentrate but thats just me, im sure people have had success using them. I spose my only real advice as to picking the lock would be focus more on the torsion wrench and less on the pick, not overbinding pins seems to be a fair problem.

[JackNco]

the 5 piece set is fine for a beginner is what i started on.

follow digital blues guide. as for putting the time in, it does take a lot of practice. im not sure about the others on here but when i started i did some picking now and then. but didn't make any real progress until i started picking every day.

as said follow DBs guide on picking and you should start to make some progress.

All the best

John

[ForFun]

the 5 piece set is fine for a beginner is what i started on.

follow digital blues guide.

as said follow DBs guide on picking and you should start to make some progress.

All the best

John

digital blues guide????????? Where?

[Afisch]

Its in Pick-Fu i think. viewtopic.php?t=10677 good luck.

[ForFun]

Its in Pick-Fu i think. viewtopic.php?t=10677 good luck.

Thanks. This looks really good. Exactly what I need, finding the binding pin.
Dennis

[Chucklz]

If I were starting all over again, I would pin up a lock with just one pin stack. Spend alot of time on tension. Just keep going with less and less tension, so that you can easily move that pin stack, while still getting the lock to open. Practice for a while and then put the lock down for a few hours/overnight/a day or so. Then try again. Get that "minimal" tension idea set in your mind and fingers.
Then add the second pin stack. One pin will bind and the other won't (as much.. may bind if you overtension). I would also rotate the pins through the lock, so at first back to chambers then move them up a chamber, different sized bottom pins ec. Moving the stack throughout the lock often affects the order of binding.

Keep adding pins. Hopefully great success.

[JackNco]

agreed. im sure we were all trying to run before we could walk when we started to learn.

All the best