hi, can somebody help me plz!

[firecraze]

hi, i have decided that the best way for me to learn a;; about locks is to create a database, so far i have info on all yale locks, pict's etc.. but i much more... I have a file thats labeled locks , in there is the letter A to Z. so when you click the letter a list of lock manafacures come up that start with that certain letter. And in itss the info fo all there locks and weak points... What do u think. Can anybody help me out? thanks

[Chucklz]

I am not sure what you mean by weak points. Locks have and "individual" personality even when keyed the same. Many of the "weak" points are are nto realy ammenable to picking, such as "drill here 1/4 inch then insert Somehting and do Something" to open _________ lock. You probably won't find much of that info. What you are more likely to find, and more likely to find useful is stuff like, The _______ lock does/doesnot contain mushroom pins.

If you share what you got, im sure many of us would be willing to chime in.

[technik]

i dont understand what you need help with. (do you want feedback, suggestions...)

if i dont know what the problem is, i cant help...

[Varjeal]

This sounds like a more refined post of, "I want info on all locks. Drill points, weakness'. Send me info."

[firecraze]

yeh basicaly what im asking for is feedback on locks that you have picked and stuff like that, info on characteristics of certain locks.etc... if you can help send me a website you have found or what you think is like the best pick to use to pick a certain lock. thanks for any replies i hope you have some idea on what i mean ...........

[salzi684]

In regards to the best pick to use for x lock:

I don't have a "only use this pick for this type of lock" mentality. Each lock is different and requires different techniques that you will acquire with time. Normally I start with a short hook regardless of what type of lock I am trying to pick and go from there. If the short hook doesn't fit, I get out a smaller more maneuverable pick, if the lock is keyed high low high low the short hook sometimes has a hard time reaching around set pins so I get out a curve style pick or a Deforest diamond hook. Like I said, it all depends on the lock.

[Chucklz]

It does all depend on the lock, but I would like to clarify one point. It depends on the individual lock. For example, the half diamond is a good pick for opening many locks, including the Master #3. I have a master #3 that is keyed in such a way that all of my half diamonds bump on the first pin while attempting to pick the fourth. In this case, I have a long reach hook.

In general, you probably will not go wrong starting out with a half hook, diamond, or diamond hook (deforest or similar).

[firecraze]

ok, thanks. So if you have a cxertain teqnique for a ceratain lock that you find usefull, and it works. Email it to me, plz thankz

[Varjeal]

Technique is as personal as everything else. It depends on your personality, the personality of the lock, the pick, the tension wrench, your mood, size of hands, all those factors. That's not something that can necessarily be put down on paper.

[mightymouse]

I had this same idea myself. I havent got around to implementing mine yet, but I would suggest the following:

Limit the contents of the database to entries created only by yourself. As previous posters have mentioned, things like how easy/difficult is a lock to pick are highly personal details and would be worthless in a database used by other people.

The other option is to omit all details of things which are down to personal preference and focus on the facts. When I make my database I will probably just start out with something like a A-Z list of locks (named by manufacturer), the type of lock it is (Pin tumbler, tubuler, padlock...whatever), and have a load of boolean values for things like whether or not it contains security pins, whether it is shimmable (if a padlock) as well as a few numeric variables for filling out the details of how many pins the lock contains and how many of them are security pins etc. Start out simple and add the column's for extra details later.

I also suggest it would be nice if you share your database organisation template with everyone else so that they can create their own databases by just filling in the details etc. Of course, if you follow my advice about skipping things that are personal, then perhaps you can assist LP101 in setting up a database searchable via the site, and writable by moderators etc.

my two pence...

[firecraze]

i have so far a A- Z of locks and thaere mafacures and stuff like that, i have a security rating for all abus loks that i think is out of 2o, its what the company abus has actually given the lock. Well when i finish this i will share it with other newbies, at the mo its in a folder , with lots of other folders in folders if you know what i mean. So, i will just gather infrmation on characteristics of certain , locks and stuff like that. i look forward to any repleies for a useull information site that i will be able to incorarate in to my database. Thanks, now for me back to work...

oh, there could someone give me a list of lock manafactures. Like A-Z thanks

[mightymouse]

eeewwwwwwwww!!! A homebrew database made from sub-directories of sub-directories of directories! I guess its OK for planning, but believe me, when you start putting loads of info into it, it will become *totally* unmanagable. Have a look at www.mysql.com - you'll want the production 4.0 release. There are various forums findable via google where there will people to help you on the technical stuff if you get stuck. Good luck :)

devonlocks.com has a list of links to common UK manufacturers if I remember correctly, and you can probably find a thread on LP101 about it with the search button.

[plot]

well, i sort of do the same thing... but sort of not. i save all pictures of lockpicks etc. into a file, but i also have a directory with subfolders of the names of locks, where i save all the pictures i come across of dissassembled locks around the internet.

[firecraze]

thanks for the help

[Quin]

http://www.devonlocks.com/lock-info/lock-makers.htm