Pins not binding

[jrogers]

I have a practice lock that I have successfully picked with up to 4 pins in it. Today I repined it with 3 pins and successfully picked it, I had to do something so I put it down. When I came back to pick it again it felt like none of the pins were binding. Eventually I picked it, but I felt that was due mostly too luck. I've picked it a few times since then, but I am still having the binding problem. Is it possible I am oversetting a pin when I put my pick into the keyway? But even if I was setting a pin, wouldn't another still bind?

[Eyes_Only]

Picking a practice lock and one out in the field might be a little different but whenever I have this problem on a lockout call I spray a little lube or mild solvent like CRC Lectra Motive and run a blank key in and out several times to exercise the pins to help clean it out or to get the lube working in the lock. If there is any debris or stuck pins in the lock causing the problem this usually helps solve it.

But everyone runs into this same problem every now and then. You can always just give the picking a rest for a few hours or even a day and come back to it later. Sometimes even a small amount of exhaustion or frustration after a long practice run can be your worst enemy.

[Wizer]

Hi
If you have oversetted a pin, others might not bind at all.
Sometimes if your focus is lost, easy locks become allmost unpickable.
And sometimes I find that for some unknown reason I just can´t set the pins. Maybe I´m too heavy handed or something. After taking a break, or doing something different for a while it may become easier. Then again some days seem to be bad for picking. ...psychology I quess.
Couple of locks that I was picking for a week or two without success opened easy after I had two days away from picks.
It all comes with time and practice (I hope, I´m not that good yet).
Happy Picking!
-Wizer

[cppdungeon]

I find that a nap or a rest can increase my picking skill tenfold, especially if I'm frustrated. What generally happens is you get stressed, apply too much tension, and overset pins, just like you said. you may also want to verify that you didnt leave a pin in your practice lock- I've done that. I was practicing on my medeco and I thought it had two pins when it really had three, which made it pretty impossible to pick

Best of luck!

--Cpp