Newbie questions

by **SloTh** » 27 Sep 2004 14:13

Hi, im new to lock picking and I havent succeed to pick a lock yet. I only have tryed to pick an Abus 85/40. But about the pins, should I lift the last pin or the first pin first? One more question - Why and how do I use the tension wrencher? I dont understand :shock:

by **quicklocks** » 27 Sep 2004 14:17

before some one flames you i sugest you read the FAQs and then read the mit guilde you will find link inthe FAQs this is the best place to start for you

by **pickersRus** » 27 Sep 2004 14:24

Hi and welcome to the forums. As far as which pin to set first I always try to locate the pin which seems to be the tightest fitting one (the one that seems to stick a little). It does not really matter if this pin is the first one or the last one or the one somewhere in between. Once this pin is set search for the next tightest pin and proceed accordingly. As for the tension wrench the purpose for this tool is to provide a slight torque or turning force to not only bind the pins in place once they have set but to also provide the leverage to actually open the lock. Always remember to use as little force on the tension wrench as possible. Most newer pickers apply way to much force to the wrench which actually "locks up" the movements of the individual pins. As the other more experianced pickers would say the best way to find which pin , which tension wrench , which tool to use is to PRACTICE , PRACTICE , PRACTICE...............read and then more PRACTICE. GOOD LUCK

by **Hak** » 27 Sep 2004 14:31

Hmm, since you say your new, i would suggest getting an easier lock to begin on. An Abus 85/40 isnt exactly the type of lock to begin on. Get something like a master #3 (for example) just to practice on until you get the hang of how much tension to use and develop a 'style' of picking that fits you best.

Just my two cents on the matter...

by **OnoTadaki** » 27 Sep 2004 14:59

I agree on selecting a new first lock to start off on. If you have any desks you buy dissasembled, or any filing cabinets around the house with unused locks they sometimes have very easy to pick wafer locks that are great for some confidence and have some similar characteristics to padlocks as far as feel goes.

If you really want to get better go look in the FAQ section for the MIT guide, read it all and follow every one of the excercises near the end.

by **Hak** » 27 Sep 2004 15:31

OnoTadaki is right, building up confidence is definately a big help when picking/learning to pick locks. When your new to the hobby and you cant get open a lock, it sometimes dampens your spirits and/or makes you think this hobby is too hard, but successfully picking locks open usually gives a big boost of confidence and will make you want to try a lot longer (at least it does for me

)

by **poisoned** » 27 Sep 2004 16:03

Forget that Abus for now.. :roll:

get your self a few >cheap< padlocks and start reading the MIT-guide.. After u have completed reading it, read it again!

http://www.gregmiller.net/locks/mitguide/

Why and how do I use the tension wrencher? I dont understand

U sound just like me when I started this hobby.. :wink:

by **silent** » 27 Sep 2004 17:17

You might want to get a cheap lock to take apart. So you can see how the lock works. Read the MIT guide and use your pulled apart lock so it makes more sense. It helps a lot and you have a better idea of what you are trying to do when you pick.

by **Mad Mick** » 27 Sep 2004 17:29

I second all of the above. Most importantly though, before taking a pick to a lock, read and understand as much as you can. This means reading the MIT guide etc. a few times.

by **Nex** » 27 Sep 2004 17:38

it also is a big help to take a lock a part, i suggest a dead bolt out of the door, i picked one up for $1 at a yard sale

by **SloTh** » 28 Sep 2004 0:39

Ok I have found some padlocks, but i dont know which i shall choose...

http://www.kjell.com/content/templates/ ... 1116&path=

http://www.teknikmagasinet.com/shop/db. ... tID=540368

by **SloTh** » 28 Sep 2004 0:42

Or maybe these:

http://www.biltema.se/products/product. ... emId=47185

http://www.biltema.se/products/product. ... emId=45612

(sorry for doublepost)

by **pointofview** » 28 Sep 2004 2:25

Hmmm... I can't read what I would assume is Swedish (correct me if I'm wrong), but none of those padlocks appear to be of particularly high security, so they should be fine. The most you would have to deal with would be a few spool or mushroom pins, but even that may be a touch to difficult for a beginner... the tall lock (fourth link) looks kinda like a Master 140, which has some spool pins...

Can you not buy a Master lock in Sweden? I agree with Hak... find yourself a Master #3, and you'll be set for a little while.

But then again, if you go out to the hardware store, you could pick up a deadbolt, and with a little effort, you could take some of the pins out and learn like that. Pick it with one, then two, three, four, and five pins, then re-pin it for variety. It'll keep you going for weeks.

Oh... and buy a vise...

by **SloTh** » 28 Sep 2004 8:55

Yes its swedish. Another question. When I rake, how do I know which pins have been set and which haven't?

by **WhiteHat** » 28 Sep 2004 9:01

when it opens, you know they've all been set...

Generally if you're using the vibration-type method - fast strokes with a sawtooth type rake - you don't usually feel much.

if you're wiggling with a snake or 3/4 rake (just moving it arround to attempt to simulate the key profile etc.. then you can sometimes feel which ones aren't set and just wiggle more in that general area.

I'd highly recommend learning to single pin pick first - then you know how it feels and will be even better at raking.

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