Feeling the movement of torsion wrench

[unlocke]

I've been at this for a few weeks and I'm learning to find the binding pins as I practice more and more on the numerous locks I'm lucky to legally have around. What I fail at is detecting the movement of the torsion wrench. I feel movement only twice: once when I find the pin that is binding the most and I move it then wrench moves. Last when I can open the lock after the pins have been moved without that click noise. Am I missing the feeling of movement in-between opening the lock? I'm guessing I should feel movement for each pin not just twice?

I usually hold the wrench with the index finger of my left hand or middle finger. Is this a correct feeling to feel only two movements or should I change the way I hold the wrench in order to fully feel all movement?

[barbarian]

"Detecting" the movement is a very accurate way to think about it.

Consider how little the wrench really moves on a regular lock without security pins.

It's almost like you "feel" the click through the wrench.

I think the way you are holding it is normal. Look at all the youtube videos, this seems to be a very common way to hold.

[datagram]

It depends on what type of wrench you are using and whether you are top or bottom tensioning, etc. Regardless, using a free finger on the tension hand to lightly touch the face of plug should improve your feedback. You'll literally feel when the plug turns. You should also feel a bit of a click when the pin sets. Some locks are pretty bad at this, so I'd suggest working with a clean standard Kwikset deadbolt, should be pretty easy to feel.

dg

[unlocke]

It depends on what type of wrench you are using and whether you are top or bottom tensioning, etc. Regardless, using a free finger on the tension hand to lightly touch the face of plug should improve your feedback. You'll literally feel when the plug turns. You should also feel a bit of a click when the pin sets. Some locks are pretty bad at this, so I'd suggest working with a clean standard Kwikset deadbolt, should be pretty easy to feel.

dg

Is it called tension or is it torsion wrench by the way? The wrench I'm using is the one with the top bent 90 degrees. For some reason I have had the most success with that type of wrench.

It might be the locks as mentioned. Since I've had to hold the lock in my hand most of the time. I haven't had much of a chance to practice on many locks attached to doors. I only have my house doors. I tend not to use those as it looks odd to other people in the house.

I bought a set of defiant locks not sure those are any good? If had a door to ruin I'd start attaching handles and locks to it.



I've noticed lock quality varies a huge a amount. Based on what I've been able to pick. The cheaper stuff is much easier.
Amazingly enough I've picked a lock with a security spool pin yet I can't get through simple 3 pin padlocks. I feel like this feel is the aspect I'm missing.

I'll try feeling the plug this time and see how that goes.

[datagram]

Tension and torsion are both used. Tension is more common, but torsion is the more scientifically correct term.

You can use the finger trick while you are holding the cylinder. Since I prefer top tensioning, I usually use my index finger to push the tension wrench while touching the plug with my thumb. Think of making your index and thumb as an L and holding the wrench like that. If you need to go the other way, just pull with your index and touch with your thumb. This is my preference, and your mileage may vary, of course

dg

[laf]

I remember having trouble feeling the feedback of my TW, especially with the flex one. with practice you will be better. try focusing more on your finger. stress is the last thing you want to have while picking a lock, so be calm.

[unlocke]

Just an update since I started thread that I can detect feel much better. I think it all comes down to practice.The amount of movement is almost non-existent but I can really feel it now! The wrench moves quite a bit if the proper pin is touched.

The problem I'm having now is that I do what I call "half picking" a lock. The wrench will turn as if I've opened the lock but then the wrench stops and won't let me push further. That means I have pull back and start over. I assume when this happens it means that I didn't get all the pens in the sheer line perfectly, and it nearly is enough to move the plug to unlock but not quite.

[SEVEN]

sometime's just when you think you have a lock sussed it jam's up try looking for security pin's or it may be a false set and you have to start again.

[unlocke]

sometime's just when you think you have a lock sussed it jam's up try looking for security pin's or it may be a false set and you have to start again.

It's funny, now that I'm actually taking the time to feel inside the lock and get as much detail as possible I'm having trouble. I used to be able to easily open a #3 master lock now that one is being a real devil to me. The phrase that lock picking is like an art isn't so off as it might sound to the layman.

[unlocke]

I used to be able to easily open a #3 master lock now that one is being a real devil to me.

That is because I was picking it counterclockwise... I wonder if one of those inside visible 3-pin training locks would help me?

[Stryypgya]

I used to be able to easily open a #3 master lock now that one is being a real devil to me.

That is because I was picking it counterclockwise... I wonder if one of those inside visible 3-pin training locks would help me?

I bought a cheap ($18) kwikset double keyed deadbolt at the local Home Despot. I'm leaving one side alone (for now...), and I took all but one pin out of the other side. Got used to the feel of the pin resistance with and without tension on the cylinder, then added another pin to practice feeling for binding. Then just add another pin and continue. I found it nice to start slow, then work my way up. It is also really helping me learn the proper forces to apply, and I can hear the pins as they set, since there isn't a lot of material in the way to block the sound. Many thanks to digital_blue for his beginner's tutorial.

[unlocke]

I bought a cheap ($18) kwikset double keyed deadbolt at the local Home Despot. I'm leaving one side alone (for now...), and I took all but one pin out of the other side. Got used to the feel of the pin resistance with and without tension on the cylinder, then added another pin to practice feeling for binding. Then just add another pin and continue. I found it nice to start slow, then work my way up. It is also really helping me learn the proper forces to apply, and I can hear the pins as they set, since there isn't a lot of material in the way to block the sound. Many thanks to digital_blue for his beginner's tutorial.

I tried the same method myself. Problem was I couldn't get the lock open properly. Because I bought a defiant lock. I ended up getting open but the pins came flying out and I lost the pin order.

Stupid question, is there a way to tell a top pin from a bottom pin? I'm not sure which one goes where. I can set a lock but all the pins look very similar. I'm not sure if the longer pins go on top or on the bottom. Sort of messed up that method of learning for me because of my error.

[cryptocat]

Top pins are flat on both ends, or maybe just a little bit rounded. Bottom pins are flat (or a tiny little bit round) on one end, and pointy on the other end where it touches the key.

[datagram]

I tried the same method myself. Problem was I couldn't get the lock open properly. Because I bought a defiant lock. I ended up getting open but the pins came flying out and I lost the pin order.

Use the key to figure out the pin order. Set the key down and sort the bottom pins until the key cuts and pins are all lined up properly. Look at this picture to see what I mean:

http://lockwiki.com/index.php/Image:Loc ... o_pins.jpg

-dg

[unlocke]

Top pins are flat on both ends, or maybe just a little bit rounded. Bottom pins are flat (or a tiny little bit round) on one end, and pointy on the other end where it touches the key.

That really helps I was putting some of the pins in backwards now I see, because of the size I couldn't exactly tell and didn't know what to look for. Now how to properly rekey a lock makes perfect sense. It's too bad that a very clear and concise book has not been written on lock picking (to my knowledge). MIT has a guide and other sources do but I'm talking a large book that would cover all aspects of working with locks.

I tried the same method myself. Problem was I couldn't get the lock open properly. Because I bought a defiant lock. I ended up getting open but the pins came flying out and I lost the pin order.

Use the key to figure out the pin order. Set the key down and sort the bottom pins until the key cuts and pins are all lined up properly. Look at this picture to see what I mean:

http://lockwiki.com/index.php/Image:Loc ... o_pins.jpg

-dg

That's an extremely helpful method and I'm tying it right now. Of course defiant is not medico and the pins are not cut like that but I'm going to try to see if I can rekey it back to its original set. From there I'm going with digital blue's practice method. I like trying harder locks but I want to actually learn to pick and my progress has been too slow and based too much on luck.

Thanks everyone you have all been extremely helpful. Hopefully this will get me back on track.