How can you tell if you've over set pins?

[apaplayer]

I am a newbie. I started picking locks a couple of months ago. At that time I bought some picks and a couple of padlocks. One was a Master, the other was a Brinks. I picked the Master with no problem whatever. The Brinks was not so easy. I have picked this lock several times, never 2 times in a row or even 2 times in one day. I know there are security pins(at least 3) and I've watched videos on picking Brinks locks and downloaded every book and guide I could find anywhere. At first I was very heavy handed with tension and pick. I'm learning something every time I try but with no luck. It's been 10 days since I opened it. Sometimes it doesn't even false set, I think I have the pins set. Sometimes when I push a pin upward I feel the pin set twice with no sponginess. Here is the question. How do you know when you have an over set pin? What sort of feedback do you get? I have the Visual Guide To Lockpicking, the MIT Guide, 3 books by Steve Hampton, and countless other info on lock picking. The Videos I've seen talk about over setting, but not how to recognize it. All the books don't even mention it. I'm not sure this is the problem but I believe it must be. Sorry for the length of this post but wanted work this out for myself and can't find the information.

[lock2006]

I think this question you should it posted on the Got Questions?
Forum
not here on B/S/T Forum
hope this helps good luck.

[unlisted]

Moved accordingly. People, please click on the report post for things like this.


Thanks!

[Solomon]

If a pin is overset, none of the other pins will bind. If some pins don't seem to move or they feel springy and loose, you either have an overset pin or you're in a false set and using too much tension. Push up on all the pins while making sure you're using just enough tension to keep pins at the shear line... if you don't get any counter-rotation in the plug when you push any of the pins, loosen up a bit and let a pin click back into the keyway. That will most likely be the overset pin, so you can continue picking again. If not, chances are more than one is overset so just keep applying the formula until you get it right.

The best thing to do is just be careful how much you're pushing on the pins and pay attention to what they're doing... some locks are much easier to overset than others so it really will pay off. I recently got a lock which has chamfered key pins and oversets so easily it's not even funny; I haven't got it picked yet so it seems like I need to work on my skills a little. I don't pay nearly as much attention as I should be doing and find myself slipping into old habits very easily... so if you stay focused and pick carefully early on, you'll be doing yourself a huge favour in the long run.

[apaplayer]

Thanks Soloman, I'll try it some more. Also I apologize to everyone for posting in the wrong place.

[datagram]

If you over set a pin it will not drop down and be free of spring pressure. This is different than correctly setting the top pin (bottom pin is free of spring pressure), and different than false setting (upper pin will not move).

So just go through and feel each pin like you normally would. Ones that are "stuck" are probably overset.

dg

[apaplayer]

I'm new to this, but if the bottom pin drops free and the top pin stays put would I not have the pin set correctly.An over set pin the bottom pin, the key pin would be held at the shear line. Wouldn't it? Please explain.

[Solomon]

I'm new to this, but if the bottom pin drops free and the top pin stays put would I not have the pin set correctly.An over set pin the bottom pin, the key pin would be held at the shear line. Wouldn't it? Please explain.

If the key pin drops free and the top pin stays put it can be set, but you need to feel that click otherwise it could be under set or in false. This is assuming you are picking the binding pin of course... if everything moves freely then you need to leave that pin stick alone for the time being. Keep in mind that pins will only really overset if you're fluctuating tension or you're moving more than one pin stack at a time with more tension than necessary.

Overset needs a release of tension, and underset needs pushed more - likewise for a pin in false set, except that you will feel the plug rotate back in the opposite direction when you push on it. Just push on the pins one at a time until you feel one which has friction, push it up until you feel a click, and if nothing is binding after that, it's false set and you need to push it more. Keep pushing until it stops and you feel a nice big click. Regular pins will always set before security pins, keep this in mind.. and since you're starting off, research the locks you're picking and make sure you know what is in there so you know what to feel for. It helps a ton, even now I make an effort to find out what is in a lock before I start picking it.

Hope that helps a little.

[apaplayer]

Thanks Soloman. The first pin on this lock sets first. It is very easy to set. I thought I had damaged it so I went and bought another Brinks same model. It appears to have a 3-2-2-4-5 key pattern and might bee easier. I know it still has spools. Thought about cutting it open to actually see what was happened and learn. All I have to cut it with is a dremel tool. Has anybody ever used a dremel to cut a brass 44mm open?

[locknpawn]

when i pick a lock... i think of something else.. for real.. dont think about it and it will pick.. but if you think about it.. forget it. you are try'n to hard and most likely it wont pick...i taught my son age 10 to pick locks this way.. when we go out he is getting better and better.. and remember to alway have a drill handy David [edit- removed company information-unlisted]

[LocksmithArmy]

really, a drill... come on man, what could possibly need to drill... this is LP101, we can pick EVERY lock,

just kidding
I cant wait to teach my kids to pick... oldest is 2 so itll be awhile

my basic quick rule of thumb is,
if im pickin along settin pins, then all of a sudden nothing sets, ive probably over set somthing... so slowly release till i get a click, try to set some pins, if still nothing sets, start over

[apaplayer]

You guys are a lot younger than I am. Got a new laptop back in June, 09. Went to look for some free ebooks to download and found MIT Guide to Lock Picking. As soon as I read it had to get some picks. I really got into it. I bought padlocks and began to look for all kinds of info. Found LP101 and started reading threads. Decided to try and become a locksmith to supplement or provide income.
The help you guys provide is all appreciated. The original Brinks is now in the trash. I was real hard on it. Too heavy handed and yes was trying way to hard. Went back and bought another Brinks to continue to practice. Have picked it but not consistently. Picked it 2x in one evening though. You would think I would know how to do it by now every time, but can't yet. Thanks again!