Getting past the first pin...

[Faolan_Took]

Okay, I'm very new to picking locks more advanced than a pair of handcuffs so I'll try not to sound like a complete idiot.

When I put my tension wrench and pick in the lock I am having a difficult time getting my pick far enough into the lock. The only pin I'm being able to get under is the first pin and then the pick just stops going in further.

Thanks.

[Baked760]

what kind of pick are u useing? cause i just started to and i use a hook pick to get under the pins.

[LocksmithArmy]

what kind of tensor are you using... what kind of lock is it.

If the tensor is too thick you may be limiting yourself. try a half diamond because it has a point and slope for the pins to ride up on...

good luck

[Solomon]

These guys are right, we need more information to help you out.

What kind of lock is it, and what kind of pick are you using? Also, are you tensioning it from the top (where the pins are) or bottom of the keyway? That'll help us out a good bit. You could have a lock with a very long front pin which happens to be setting first, meaning you'd have to reach over it to get at the others... but the chances of this really are extremely tiny. It's much more likely to be your combination of pick/tensioner (aswell as tension placement) which is causing the problem. We really need to know what kind of lock you have aswell so we can tell what kind of keyway it has; you could even be getting caught up in the warding for all we know.

Give us as much info as you can, and even a picture or two if you can get them.

[NanoDuke]

It's a pain, but you can also slip the pick into the back of the keyway, then put in your tension wrench and work from there.

[CptedIV]

I agree, putting the pick in the back of the cylinder and then putting the tension wrench is alot of the time the only way I can get the pick to the back without over setting the first pin or even being able to get in with a certain pick. I like a taller hook, its just hard to reach the back but I get more feel than from a diamond, I think.. I'm new also but thats just my feeling on it.


Ed

[LocksmithArmy]

I like a taller hook

When I first started I did aswell
but I think as your skill increases you will use shorter and shorter hooks. I have noticed other members mention the same thing...

not saying you will want the diamond... just sorta unrelated I guess. look forward to it though
enjoy

[CptedIV]

Yeah your right, I'm already having much better luck with the lower hook... My biggest problem is I always over set the first pin, even when I get the pick to the back and the put on tension. For raking I the ball works best, I want to get a half round because theres no need for the bottom of it and it takes up so much space .

Ed

[LocksmithArmy]

just grind of the back of a ball if you have an extra

[CptedIV]

Just wondering, I do well raking but having a hard time with SPP. I was wondering where in the keyway most people insert the pick.

For example, in the top of a kwikset keyway it seems like the key pins rest on the highest square ward. I usually put my pick on top of that ward, then lift the pins as I push the back to the back of the lock, then add tension and pull the pick out slowly while lifting each pin. The only thing is I seem to overset pins often with this method, as the pins are being lifted without even levering/straight lifting the pick because its resting on the top ward. I don't know if anyone will understand what I'm saying, I'll try to find a picture of a keyway to better explain...

Is this the correct place to insert a pick?? Or is it too high? I have a hard time picking under this ward as you have to snake the pick around the ward to get to the pin, but its easier to not upset other pin on the way to the binding pin...

Thanks,
Ed

[Rickthepick]

You are best to equip yourself with a large array of shapes and sizes of both picks and tension tools. Its always worth having the materials to make a bespoke tool if you come across anything unusual

[CptedIV]

Yeah I understand that I have a decent assortment of homemade and bought picks. Just asking, how high or at what ward do you insert a pick normally? I'm talking normal, square cut/warded kwikset keyway... Like I say, I usually go in as high as I can, resting on top of the ward, push the pins up as I put the the pin in the back of the plug, then rest them as I pull it toward the front. Is there another way to do it, because I have a problem oversetting pins, and I think its because of where in the keyway I'm putting the pick...

Ed

[UEDan]

I'll admit you're post kinda hard to understand. For a Kwikset you shouldn't be having a problem placing a tension wrench on the bottom and inserting a short hook in the middle part of the ward. Only way I can imagine that your overlifing #1 is that you're lifting straight up. Try picking at an angle. I don't know if THAT made any sense, if I doesn't I'll look for my camera an show an example.

[CptedIV]

haha yeah i can see how this can be kind of hard to picture... i think I know what you mean, but a picture would definitely help... From what I've read "levering" (which is going at an angle, right?) is a bad habit and straight lifting is preferred...? I'm not really talking about that though, I see you said you put your pick in the middle of the ward, I usually put my pick on top of the ward. I just dont see how you can pick from the middle, just snake the pick around the ward and do one at a time?