Yet another newbie topic

[cpatuzzo]

Hey there, I'm new to the forums. I've been picking a 4-pin padlock a few times, but mainly by raking.
I'm hoping to learn to lock pick properly and I've noticed there's that great beginner's guide here on the forums.
However, to get started I really need to get hold of a lock that I can re-pin. I have the SouthOrd 5-piece beginner set.

Can someone suggest a lock to get started on which I can get hold of in the UK?
I've heard eBay is good, but there's such a huge choice.
Should I be getting one with security pins? One with a cutaway? A slimline lock?

Many thanks,
Chris

[Solomon]

Hi cpatuzzo! If you wanna learn the fine art of SPP, I'd suggest starting with regular pins before stepping up to spools since the binding order with spools tends to flip around a lot. Good starter locks with standard pins would be ERA, Sterling, the ABUS Ecoline range or any unbranded type. Since you want to learn by pinning it up one at a time I'd recommend a rim cylinder as euros require special tools to load the driver pins back in.

[cpatuzzo]

Hey Solomon, thanks for the advice!

I've had a look on eBay and found three locks which I think fit your description of a non-euro rim cylinder lock:
http://goo.gl/9Ery
http://goo.gl/Hj3H
http://goo.gl/XipJ

And I presume this is the type of lock you advised against because I'd require special tools to re-pin:
http://goo.gl/imYu

Can someone suggest which of the three above would be best to get started. I noticed the Sterling lock quoted this "Features a high security five pin tumbler locking mechanism." Does that mean it has security pins?

Many thanks,
Chris

[Solomon]

Can someone suggest which of the three above would be best to get started. I noticed the Sterling lock quoted this "Features a high security five pin tumbler locking mechanism." Does that mean it has security pins?

Many lock companies are fond of using this kind of terminology, it makes their locks sound more impressive when they're actually just bog standard stuff. Master lock, for example, touts their M5 commercial lock as having a "4 pin tumbler mechanism for maximum pick resistance". It's a 4 pin cylinder with all standard pins and crappy tolerances; you'd be hard pressed to spend more than 30 seconds opening one.

Sterling are far from high security, trust me... it's just a standard lock. It might have spools in it, but I've picked a couple before and they were just standard pins, mind you the newer ones might have spools for all I know. Whereas I doubt it, you can always be surprised... so what I'm saying is, they probably don't have spools, but there is a small chance they might! Just get one anyway and see how it picks

The Yale will definately have spools in it. Their kitemarked cylinders use a kind of serrated pins, but the one you're looking at is a standard replacement so it'll have between 2 and 4 spools (most likely just 2). As for the unbranded one you linked to, it's a 99% chance that it'll be all regular pins. Again, there is a rare occasion when you get a cheapy one with spools in it but almost all of them are just regular old pins.

And yes, the double sided euros are the ones you need special tools for. Rim cylinders like the other 3 can be repinned with a plug follower of around 11-12mm diameter and basic tweezers.

[Solomon]

Whoops, sorry for double post but I just realised the "unbranded" one I was talking about is actually an ERA. Same applies though... they almost always have regular pins, it's only their 6 pin euros which seem to have spools.

[cpatuzzo]

Thanks a lot, I opted for the Era. Hopefully after a few picks I'll grab the Sterling as well, or try one with spools.

[josipva]

Hi there, I'm new here and new to lockpicking. Didn't want to make "yet another newbie topic" so i hijacked this one .
I have just started to learn about the art and I'm having a problem. Tried to pick my home door and managed it with rattling technique however I'm training with this cheap lock [url]http://www.viro.it/Pagine/1.LUCCHETTI_E_ACCESSORI/12.RETTANGOLARI_FAI_BY_VIRO/Lucchetti_Rettangolari_FaiEN.htm[\url]
and its giving me problems, whatever kind of pressure I apply to the cylinder it barely moves, maybe 1mm and when i push pins they react as if i didn't apply pressure and do not set. Tried both the rattling technique and the pin by pin technique and it's not working. Watched a lot of quick lockpicking guides to unlock an easy lock like this one but I'm obviously doing something wrong. Any advice ?

[Solomon]

Hi josipva, the FAI by Viro has an additional pin opposite the rest which is pushed out of the plug by the spine of the key. Try setting that pin first.

[femurat]

Hi josipva, the FAI by Viro has an additional pin opposite the rest which is pushed out of the plug by the spine of the key. Try setting that pin first.

Solomon, sorry to contradict you but I don't think so (at least for this model). Keep in mind that FAI By Viro is the cheap line, made by Viro but with less precise tolerances and worst materials to be sold a lot cheaper than the standard Viro. These padlocks seems made from a different company to me.

josipva, try to wiggle the tension, and don't be worried to let some pins fall. From your description I guess you overlifted a pin. If this is the situation just release tension and start up again.

Good luck

[josipva]

thanks

[Solomon]

It's all good femurat, I could be wrong... I'm almost positive there's a viro lock with an additional pin like that, maybe not the FAI but there definately is one... the FAI just stuck in my mind for some reason.

[pin_pusher]

Tried to pick my home door and

my advice, don't be picking your home door, could have poor results.