Newbie WIth Unique Questions!

[xxmarcusrxx]

Hey Everyone, I'm new to the site and very excited about getting into the lock picking scene. So I got my first lock yesterday, it's a schlage 5 pin lock. I couldn't open it using the "poke and prode method" os I opened it up and lone and behold it has 4 spool pins. So I used the newbie method and started with 1 pin and worked my way up to 4. But now I can't open it. I know theres a lot of advise on how to pick spool pins but I have some different kind of questions. I have the solid bolt in the 4 position and spool pins in the 1,2,&3 positions. I'm using light tension on the lock and hear a lot of clicking when I'm feeling and trying to set the pins but it's not opening.

Question 1: Just to clarify, does the first binding pin change everytime you try to pick it? Or is there a specific pin the catches first every time.

Question 2: Does the order of witch pin binds next change? or does it stay the same. For example: Last time I opened it I had to pick the pins in this order: 4,1,3,2 (Does this order change?)

Question 3: Does the clicking sound and slight movement of the lock mean that a stack was set? Or does it mean that the spool pins and stuck?

Thanks for any advise you can give me!
Sorry if it's not the right place to post this!

I MOVED THIS FROM PICK-FU

[cppdungeon]

This is an ok place to post, and welcome.

Question 1: Just to clarify, does the first binding pin change everytime you try to pick it? Or is there a specific pin the catches first every time.

The first binding pin shouldn't change dramatically if you have the same pins in. For example: s is spool, p is pin
-ssssp- to -sspss- then the first binding pin might change, as the spools may not contact the sides of the cylinder.
but if you keep the pins in the same place, they should bind the same way.

Question 2: Does the order of witch pin binds next change? or does it stay the same. For example: Last time I opened it I had to pick the pins in this order: 4,1,3,2 (Does this order change?)

it should stay the same for the same reasons. Sometimes, your pick may false-set the spools, so it might seem like the order is changing.

Question 3: Does the clicking sound and slight movement of the lock mean that a stack was set? Or does it mean that the spool pins and stuck?

It can mean either. the difference is that when a spool is set, it will click and not turn all the way.

--Cpp

[cppdungeon]

Oh, and welcome to the forum! Good luck on getting the 4 spools, those are rare. if you want some normal pins, go to your hardware store and look for one of those "pin your own lock" kits. they generally have them for schlage, kwikset, and the like.

--Cpp

[xxmarcusrxx]

Thank you For your Help! I'll tell you how it goes

[xxmarcusrxx]

Also, I'm using a feeler pick I made from a bobby pin to pick this lock. Is using this kind of pick to pick this type of lock even possible?

[Olson Burry]

You will have much better results with some proper tools. All you should need is a hook, half diamond and a couple of tension wrenches and there are some small sets available from lockpickshop.

[vmikulich]

This is an ok place to post, and welcome.

Question 1: Just to clarify, does the first binding pin change everytime you try to pick it? Or is there a specific pin the catches first every time.

The first binding pin shouldn't change dramatically if you have the same pins in. For example: s is spool, p is pin
-ssssp- to -sspss- then the first binding pin might change, as the spools may not contact the sides of the cylinder.
but if you keep the pins in the same place, they should bind the same way.
--Cpp

I was under the impression that the binding pin would change depending on which direction you picked the lock (tension wrench in a clockwise vs counter clockwise direction). Can someone chime in on this topic?

thanks

[cryptocat]

There's a good chance the binding pin will change depending in the direction that torque is coming from. In bad AsciiGraphics showing a highly exaggerated pattern

Code: Select all

| O
|O OOO O
|     O


if you turn one way, pin 2 will probably be the binding pin, turn it the other way, pin 5.

[Legion303]

Assuming you don't change the pins or damage the lock, the binding order will be the same every time unless you tension the opposite direction, in which case the binding order will be reversed. When you set a stack you usually hear a small click and feel a very tiny plug rotation; if it seems like the lock is about to open but the plug suddenly stops turning, you've probably hit a security pin. At this point, ADD a little tension and carefully push up on the stack you just set--the security pin will usually force the plug to counter-rotate against your tension until that stack sets. If you hear several clicks during this process it means other stacks just unset and you'll have to re-pick them after setting the security stack correctly. Rinse/repeat.

-steve

[raimundo]

forget about binding order, that is a preconcieved notion, it will not help. just keep your mind on the pinstack that you are under, and move readily to another pinstack. When you have picked the lock 20 times, you may know a binding order that works for you, but until you have picked it many times, even thinking about binding order is not helpful, it makes you try to impose your thinking on the lock, when you should be senstive and willing to learn from the lock.