To make or to buy?

[Dog--]

I'm new, I haven't even picked one lock yet (not even out of luck), and I'm getting pretty frustrated, as it seems a cool hobby to get into, but right now I'm using a hairpin fashioned into a hook pick, and I'm using a flat head screwdriver as a torque wrench.

I haven't tried TOO many different 'make your own' things, but I seen pyro's video on youtube (video shows how to make picks with hacksaw blades), and I certainly have the tools for it, but would it be easier to just buy some from the internet, and start off from there?

[ToolyMcgee]

Hair pins aren't the greatest picks and using a screwdriver for a torque wrench is pretty tough, so I'm not surprised you havn't picked a lock yet.

It is easier to buy a set of course, but if you have the tools to make a hook pick I think you should try your hand at making one. Get a street sweeper bristle, or metal wiper insert out of the garbage in front of Auto zone and bend a tension wrench too. Also wear a face shield or full coverage safety googles when you are grinding.

[Dog--]

Well, it may also be this lock.

The whole thing is circular, kind of shaped like a circular 'U', and across the opening of the 'U' is the part of the lock that actually closes, but the thing is: The part that 'opens' on a normal lock is not like on this lock, you put the key in, and have to use a little force, because the part that closes/opens, goes inside the lock as you turn the key. So maybe I just need an average key lock..

After a quick search.


Now you can see what I mean.

freakparade3 edit to remove hotlinked image

[Dog--]

Says it's a 'Disc Padlock'. Are those hard locks or something?

[ToolyMcgee]

This is an average key lock. Whatever that means... Getting the tension right on these can be kind of wierd at first. I find it easier to lock it to something sturdy so I don't have to hold the stupid thing. I have had many instances where my thumb or my hand was touching the shackle and this is why it wouldn't open.

I have many of these locks: Master40, Fortress, Ace, LSDS, etc... they are all defeatable by a standard short hook. Persevere and you will be victorious!

[test]

Persevere and you will be victorious!

Very true.

There is no point buying picks for your first few locks. It takes less time to make a pick than it does to open your first lock reliably. Take the time to build your tools and you will learn a lot more about what picks you like.

The classic picks are the half diamond, and a hook. There are many variants of these picks you can make rather easily. Short hooks, long hooks, shallow diamond, big diamond and everything in between. Make up a batch and see which one fits the lock better.

The OP mentioned that you were using a screwdriver for a tension wrench. That is very hard to do unless you are more experienced in how much tension to use. Find some street sweeper blades and make some. It makes a huge difference.

I see you are in Ontario, PM me and let me know the city. If you're near by I can get you some from my personal stash of blades

[Dog--]

I'm in Welland (originally from Niagara Falls!), and I'm out in the country, if you're in Eastern Ontario, I don't think we're too close :p

[barbarian]

It might be a good idea to start by buying a basic set of picks. That way you know they are ok for picking and you can learn your skills.

It's frustrating to try to learn when you are not sure that your picks are ok.

Having said that, it is very easy to make some picks if you are at all handy.

I started with a basic set and I still use them today. I can't seem to make a set I like the "feel" of.

[chriswillows]

hi I'm new to all this forum stuff so you will have to bear with me. If you are new to the game I would suggest you buy a pick set as you will not have developed the experiance yet to tell whether a pick you have made works well or not. If you are buying a pick set another thing to concider is the material they are made from the most common are stainless steel however I believe spring steel picks are better as they are a lot stronger and resistent to bending which makes them ideal for a learner and also for tackling high security spool or serated pin locks where a little extra pressure is required. when you gain experiance hacksaw blades are a great material to make picks out of but go for the cheaper ones rather than the more expensive bi-metal ones as these arnt as good for your perpous. lastly it depends on your style of picking whether you prefir racking or picking a pin at a time, I do a pin at a time and have opened many domestic and high securiy locks with this method. Try pick a pin at a time I recomend buying a cheap lock and removeind all but one pin. get used to the feeling of picking that and gradually work up by replacing the pins as you more experiance but above all take your time with this process it worked for me back in the day. The best txt I have seen on learning to pick locks was on the internet try googling '' Notes on picking pin tumbler locks by matt blaze university of pennsylvania, 7th of november2003, revised 6th december 2003) good luck

[test]

Hi,

I'm not going to let go on this one. It all comes down to the age old debate.

[Rant]

Make vs Buy

The difference between the two is generally defined as a trade off between time and money.

Locksports to me is all about time. It takes time to learn how to pick a basic lock. It takes more time to learn how to pin locks, why MACS is important. etc. When you progress to more complicated locks with funky side bars, or wigily ball bearings bits it takes even more time.

The more time you put into this hobby the more you get from the hobby. There are no shortcuts.

I've been dealing with some pretty complicated locks. Some of them I don't think I could have opened if I hadn't made my own picks (key way was too restrictive, MACS wasn't followed, it isn't a standard pin tumbler... etc )

I've been doing this for years. YEARS, and I still love it. Take the time to build your tools. Building tools is what separates us from Apes, the hairy and hairless varieties.

I build tools every day in my computer work. Be it a one off script to automate a repetitive task, or a database for build tracking. When you make tools you can also give away your tools. When you do a good job people will remember you as the guy(or gal) who made that cool tool that saves them from their daily monotony. (btw Accountants love my tools, and they reciprocate by paying me on time.)

Remember the more you put into it the more you get out. Be it work, or play.

[\Rant]

[test]

One more thing...

The Mighty Google Trends agrees with me



Click for larger image... its hosted on

As you can see, Buy spikes around Shopping Season. Where as make is riding a strong trend upwards over the years.

[ToolyMcgee]

I think test has said it all, but I feel like I need to reiterate. I am opposed to this American consumerism BS where we feel obligated to buy everything we need when we are throwing into garbage cans materials that are renewable, reusable, practically indestructable. Do you know how many thousands of years it takes a piece of stainless steel to rust? I have a pile of a couple hundred wiper blades in my garage from just one auto zone I visit once a week. I use between 4 and 10 a day, and I still have more than enough. Thinking about how many millions of these are being shipped to the landfill to add to the billions that are already there from this year alone makes me sick. I just recently found a machine shop that throws away metal files when they get gummed up. Who is the joker running this place that he hasn't heard of a file card? I was raised a dumpster diver. I bought my first tape player with aluminum can money. I save every bit of wire, screw, spring, leather, and broken tool I have in preperation for the apocolypse. You'll all be coming to me to beg for my scraps come judgement day, and on that day I will show no mercy to the consumer. Your paper money is worthless you feeb. Your pathetic Walmart knives can't pierce my old tractor tire armour. Vengance is mine!

Maniacle ranting aside there is going to come a day when a homemade pick will trump anything you can buy. Every standard pin tumbler lock is vulnerable to the kryptonite of the homemade tool. I don't know that I would have kept picking if I didn't have the resources to make my own tools. One of the most important being this site. They have templates posted here if your are curious about making picks from a certain companys arsenal. I have heard the buy it now arguement of "what if I don't make it the right size". How can you make a hook pick the wrong size? Someone is out there making picks too big to fit into locks? Admittedly some work better than others, and I can say the difference between a magic wand and a piece of junk is thinner than a human hair. Of course the piece of junk could be great on another lock... I think the point I am trying to get at is if you crap out a junker you can always make another one, and that one might be gold. You learn why a pick works from making one that doesn't, and in that you learn about how a lock works. Plus the satisfaction of making a tool that works well is swell.

Alright. Thats enough to suit me on this subject for now. Hope it helps you somehow.

[test]

Alright. Thats enough to suit me on this subject for now. Hope it helps you somehow.

Amen Brother. If anything, it makes me feel better. Thanks for sharing.


Any like minded people will probably enjoy reading this essay

Anyone who disagrees with, will probably enjoy reading This alternative story, related to the great book 'the time machine'



Enjoy.

[shredder]

Picks are cheap. Why not buy a basic set and start off with that. Most people with basic shop skills and no lock picking experience (not ever holding a real pick in their hand) at all is probably not going to make good home made picks their first time. I think once you learn what proper tools are supposed to look and feel like and learn the basics of picking locks then you would be much more likely to make good homebrew picks.

[barbarian]

Sorry, but I agree with shredder.

For someone just starting out. Get a cheapo set. Learn a bit about picking. See if you even like it. I know that is strange, but there may be some people somewhere that won't like it.

Now after getting the basics down, you will want to increase your skills. That's where the homemade tools really shine and that's when the new picker will be motivated to learn another skill. How to make their own tools.

But to start off with making tools first, and then learning picking, in my opinion carries a high risk that your first tools won't be very good and you will lose interest.