best type of practice cutaway lock?

[markberquist]

Hey guys, i've been looking into getting a cutaway lock to practice on. I would consider myself a novice and haven't mastered single pin picking yet and thought a practice lock might help. My question is, is it even worth looking into one (i.e. do they really help the learning process much?) and if so what is the best kind or brand to buy? Most just seem to be no-name "cutaway practice locks". Also 5 or 7 pin?

Thanks a bunch!

[MacGyver101]

From my perspective, cut-away locks can help a lot in the very early stages of learning: they can help you very quickly gain an understanding of how the feedback you're feeling through the pick actually relates to something that's happening inside the lock.

Once you've got that basic understanding down, though, you should set the cutaway lock down. As quickly as they can teach you about feedback and how to manipulate your picks, they can just as quickly start to teach you bad habits as you continue to peek at the lock while you're manipulating it.

Even if you don't start fall into the "bad habit" trap, you'll find that your learning will plateau pretty quickly with a cut-away. It's for that reason that there's not a huge market of brand-name (Schlage, etc.) cut-away cylinders: in order to keep improving you'll want to move on fairly quickly to other, non-cut-away locks.

(If you stick with the hobby long enough to start working on high-security locks, then you may find that cut-aways can have their place in that stage of learning as well... but that's for another day!)

[markberquist]

Awesome! thanks for the quick reply. I thought that might be the case, almost getting spoiled on being able to see what goes on inside. I've been fascinated by locks since i started picking on and off a year ago and the thought of being able to see one in action just seems so intriguing! I think i'll invest in one and see if i pick up some good hints and tricks.
Thanks again!

[ElbowMacaroni]

I'm currently working, albiet very slowly as I'm using hand files and free time (what's that right?) to make one from a kwikset deadbolt. LOTS of metal to remove, it's taking forever, but I'm actually close. Now I finally have it to where I need to figure out where to place the "visible insides" cuts without impairing the function of the mechanism.

I really need a bench grinder, I'm not too keen on the recent suggestion I've seen floating around about putting an angle grinder in a vise... a running angle grinder falling is a scary thought, even with wearing proper protection.

-EM

[femurat]

I'm currently working, albiet very slowly as I'm using hand files and free time (what's that right?) to make one from a kwikset deadbolt. LOTS of metal to remove, it's taking forever, but I'm actually close. Now I finally have it to where I need to figure out where to place the "visible insides" cuts without impairing the function of the mechanism.

I really need a bench grinder, I'm not too keen on the recent suggestion I've seen floating around about putting an angle grinder in a vise... a running angle grinder falling is a scary thought, even with wearing proper protection.

-EM

I agree with you: DON'T to put the angle grinder in a vise, it could be dangerous.

How about putting the lock in a vise? You can use the angle grinder with both your hands as usual.
If you work carefully you can get good results. Then you have to file by hand just to finish your lock.

Good luck

[ElbowMacaroni]

Well a big part of the issue is the only time I have to work on it, I have a sleeping infant three feet from me... not real conducive to using power tools. So files, it is. Also, an angle grinder seems a bit heavy handed for the last part of cutting the "visual" slices, maybe a dremel for that, but again... the little one probably would appreciate power tools interrupting her sleep very much.

[MacGyver101]

. . . I have a sleeping infant three feet from me...

Hey, now... I know what you're thinking, but don't ask her to hold the power grinder either: it will end badly.

[ElbowMacaroni]

. . . I have a sleeping infant three feet from me...

Hey, now... I know what you're thinking, but don't ask her to hold the power grinder either: it will end badly.

Too much!!! LOL!

[femurat]

As I said before you have to work with 2 hands with the grinder, so the baby... should keep the lock

[MacGyver101]

. . . so the baby... should keep the lock

That does sound better.

Grinding can generate a lot of heat, though: just be sure to dunk the baby in water now and then to keep her hands from becoming too hot.

Otherwise, I can't think of anything else that could go wrong.

[ElbowMacaroni]

Ok, got it... baby holds lock, I hold grinder, and periodically dunk baby... sounds like a plan. I think a swim diaper might be in order though.

[MacGyver101]

I think a swim diaper might be in order though.

Hey, man... whatever you're into. We're not here to judge.

[ElbowMacaroni]

I think a swim diaper might be in order though.

Hey, man... whatever you're into. We're not here to judge.

The swim diaper would be for the baby, I'd be wearing a giant rabbit suit.