Lock Picking 101 Forum
A community dedicated to the fun and ethical hobby of lock picking.
       

Lock Picking 101 Home
Login
Profile
Members
Forum Rules
Frequent Forum Questions
SEARCH
View New Posts
View Active Topics


Live Chat on Discord
LP101 Forum Chat
Keypicking Forum Chat
Reddit r/lockpicking Chat



Learn How to Pick Locks
FAQs & General Questions
Got Beginner Questions?
Pick-Fu [Intermediate Level]


Ask a Locksmith
This Old Lock
This Old Safe
What Lock Should I Buy?



Hardware
Locks
Lock Patents
Lock Picks
Lock Bumping
Lock Impressioning
Lock Pick Guns, Snappers
European Locks & Picks
The Machine Shop
The Open Source Lock
Handcuffs


Member Spotlight
Member Introductions
Member Lock Collections
Member Social Media


Off Topic
General Chatter
Other Puzzles


Locksmith Business Info
Training & Licensing
Running a Business
Keyways & Key Blanks
Key Machines
Master Keyed Systems
Closers and Crash Bars
Life Safety Compliance
Electronic Locks & Access
Locksmith Supplies
Locksmith Lounge


Buy Sell Trade
Buy - Sell - Trade
It came from Ebay!


Advanced Topics
Membership Information
Special Access Required:
High Security Locks
Vending Locks
Advanced Lock Pick Tools
Bypass Techniques
Safes & Safe Locks
Automotive Entry & Tools
Advanced Buy/Sell/Trade


Locksport Groups
Locksport Local
Chapter President's Office
Locksport Board Room
 

How do I find out how hard my lock is to pick?

Having read the FAQ's you are still unfulfilled and seek more enlightenment, so post your general lock picking questions here.
Forum rules
Do not post safe related questions in this sub forum! Post them in This Old Safe

The sub forum you are currently in is for asking Beginner Hobby Lock Picking questions only.

How do I find out how hard my lock is to pick?

Postby parkourer » 12 Feb 2014 17:42

Hey,

I'm here with another post (lol). This time, my goal is to be able to find out how hard my Schlage lock is. The general advice for a beginner is not to begin with a Schlage lock. They say its hard to get into. I know the warding is fine because i can start picking without any problems. So how do i find out if there are security pins, or spool pins? What makes this Schlage lock so difficult? I think i found exactly what i have online: http://goo.gl/onvTKx (I have shortened the url because it was too long).

Also here is a picture Image

What do you guys think about it or how can i tell how hard it is?
"Some people dream of success, while others wake up and work hard at it" - Winston Churchhill
parkourer
 
Posts: 129
Joined: 5 Feb 2014 14:23

Re: How do I find out how hard my lock is to pick?

Postby GWiens2001 » 12 Feb 2014 18:08

How to find out how hard it is to pick? By picking it!!!

A Schlage probably will have spool pins in it. Probably a good idea to read up here on how to field strip the lock, and see what pins are in there. Then start with one set of pins (spring, driver pin and key pin) at a time. Add them as you get better.

Be sure you do not leave the springs and driver pins in any stack with no key pins!!

Good luck,

Gordon
Just when you finally think you have learned it all, that is when you learn that you don't know anything yet.
User avatar
GWiens2001
Site Admin
 
Posts: 7550
Joined: 3 Sep 2012 16:24
Location: Arizona, United States

Re: How do I find out how hard my lock is to pick?

Postby parkourer » 12 Feb 2014 19:35

GWiens2001 wrote:How to find out how hard it is to pick? By picking it!!!

A Schlage probably will have spool pins in it. Probably a good idea to read up here on how to field strip the lock, and see what pins are in there. Then start with one set of pins (spring, driver pin and key pin) at a time. Add them as you get better.

Be sure you do not leave the springs and driver pins in any stack with no key pins!!

Good luck,

Gordon


Thanks for replying. I should have probably said that when i tried to pick it, i couldn't find the binding pin no matter what, or all the pins seemed to be set but one. I should have also said that although i don't really care about the lock, it is attatched to a door and can't take it down. How do i detect spool or security pins??

Mike
"Some people dream of success, while others wake up and work hard at it" - Winston Churchhill
parkourer
 
Posts: 129
Joined: 5 Feb 2014 14:23

Re: How do I find out how hard my lock is to pick?

Postby GWiens2001 » 12 Feb 2014 20:38

We say this over and over again - do not pick a lock in use!!! You will find dozens of threads here by people who screwed up a lock in use, and want emergency help getting the lock to open (or close). Get another lock to practice on!!! It is much cheaper than hiring someone to come out and fix it!

Gordon
Just when you finally think you have learned it all, that is when you learn that you don't know anything yet.
User avatar
GWiens2001
Site Admin
 
Posts: 7550
Joined: 3 Sep 2012 16:24
Location: Arizona, United States

Re: How do I find out how hard my lock is to pick?

Postby torontosafecracker » 12 Feb 2014 20:40

Do not pick locks in use !!!!!!!

Please, learn only on locks that are mounted on practice stands. Or you could be calling out a professional to bail you out of a situation.


Sorry for the flak, believe it or not, I'm looking out for ya.


TSC

Edit : (Sorry Gordon, You're quicker than me..lol)
torontosafecracker
 
Posts: 120
Joined: 10 Dec 2013 12:10
Location: Toronto Ontario Canada

Re: How do I find out how hard my lock is to pick?

Postby jeffmoss26 » 13 Feb 2014 7:26

Gordon, I have taken dozens of Schlage cylinders apart (all different models) and have never seen any with security pins from the factory.
"I tried smoking a blank once. I was never able to keep the tip lit long enough to inhale." - ltdbjd
jeffmoss26
 
Posts: 1090
Joined: 13 Jan 2012 15:01
Location: Cleveland, OH

Re: How do I find out how hard my lock is to pick?

Postby GWiens2001 » 13 Feb 2014 8:04

Interesting. Most of the newer ones I have taken apart have them, not that I take apart a bunch of them.

Gordon
Just when you finally think you have learned it all, that is when you learn that you don't know anything yet.
User avatar
GWiens2001
Site Admin
 
Posts: 7550
Joined: 3 Sep 2012 16:24
Location: Arizona, United States

Re: How do I find out how hard my lock is to pick?

Postby parkourer » 13 Feb 2014 14:14

Gwiens2001 wrote:We say this over and over again - do not pick a lock in use!!! You will find dozens of threads here by people who screwed up a lock in use, and want emergency help getting the lock to open (or close). Get another lock to practice on!!! It is much cheaper than hiring someone to come out and fix it!


I know, i know, that is why i don't practice on my front door lock. But this lock is a spare bedroom lock (Yeah, i know, the previous owner was a little paranoid for putting a Schlage) , and the door is almost never locked and barely closed. I just cannot take it out, because it will look bad. My Master No. 3 is coming in a few days, but i am impatient to pick something, and i have already practiced on the Schlage for so long. Its really a lock that i would not mind breaking. If i was practicing on my front door, or even my terrace lock, that would be a different story.

That being said, can you or someone else try to answer my question above? If the Schlage doesn't have security pins, then why won't it set?? I really don't seem to feel any binding pins!!
"Some people dream of success, while others wake up and work hard at it" - Winston Churchhill
parkourer
 
Posts: 129
Joined: 5 Feb 2014 14:23

Re: How do I find out how hard my lock is to pick?

Postby thenosepick » 13 Feb 2014 14:46

try applying more tension. too light of a touch and they wont bind
If you can pick a nose you can pick a lock
-Thenosepick
thenosepick
 
Posts: 10
Joined: 2 Feb 2014 2:34

Re: How do I find out how hard my lock is to pick?

Postby parkourer » 13 Feb 2014 14:58

try applying more tension. too light of a touch and they wont bind


I've tried all levels of tension. (Unless you mean huge amounts)
Is there any way that there are no binding pins on the lock? or is this because of the presence of security pins?
"Some people dream of success, while others wake up and work hard at it" - Winston Churchhill
parkourer
 
Posts: 129
Joined: 5 Feb 2014 14:23

Re: How do I find out how hard my lock is to pick?

Postby KPick » 13 Feb 2014 16:03

:) I have a Schlage lock and 4 out of the 5 pins were spool pins. Maybe you haven't been able to open it because you ran into a few spools.
◄╕╒═►ĸρ‬‬îск◄═╕╔══►◄═╕╔══►◄═╕╔══►◄═╕╔══►нттрѕ://шшш.Ιοскpіскiиg1ο1.сοм/
User avatar
KPick
 
Posts: 623
Joined: 6 Jun 2013 22:13
Location: Somewhere Picking A Lock, California

Re: How do I find out how hard my lock is to pick?

Postby parkourer » 13 Feb 2014 16:34

KPick wrote: I have a Schlage lock and 4 out of the 5 pins were spool pins. Maybe you haven't been able to open it because you ran into a few spools.


Thanks for the info :) . So how do i overcome spool pins? Is there a way to feel for spool pins?
"Some people dream of success, while others wake up and work hard at it" - Winston Churchhill
parkourer
 
Posts: 129
Joined: 5 Feb 2014 14:23

Re: How do I find out how hard my lock is to pick?

Postby Squelchtone » 13 Feb 2014 19:25

I have talked to the OP and we have established with photos and some back and fourth that he does have keys to the locks in question as well as access the master lock from another older thread.

calling off the hounds,
Squelchtone
Image
User avatar
Squelchtone
Site Admin
 
Posts: 11307
Joined: 11 May 2006 0:41
Location: right behind you.

Re: How do I find out how hard my lock is to pick?

Postby KPick » 13 Feb 2014 20:18

parkourer wrote:
KPick wrote: I have a Schlage lock and 4 out of the 5 pins were spool pins. Maybe you haven't been able to open it because you ran into a few spools.


Thanks for the info :) . So how do i overcome spool pins? Is there a way to feel for spool pins?



Yes my friend. I'm not going to sugar coat it. Over coming spools takes PRACTICE! :D I had a hard time at first (spools take about a couple of weeks to master), but who knows, you might be faster than me at learning the spool defeat. No one explains it better than my buddy here Bosnian Bill.

Watch this video and he will give you a comprehensive way of learning it. I used the marker technique to learn as well. Good luck Parkourer!



EDIT: It's worth learning spools. Trust me.
Last edited by KPick on 13 Feb 2014 20:20, edited 1 time in total.
◄╕╒═►ĸρ‬‬îск◄═╕╔══►◄═╕╔══►◄═╕╔══►◄═╕╔══►нттрѕ://шшш.Ιοскpіскiиg1ο1.сοм/
User avatar
KPick
 
Posts: 623
Joined: 6 Jun 2013 22:13
Location: Somewhere Picking A Lock, California

Re: How do I find out how hard my lock is to pick?

Postby GWiens2001 » 13 Feb 2014 20:18

To deal with spool pins, use a pick to lift each pin individually. A spool pin will start to force the plug to turn backwards against the tension wrench. Ease off the tension on the wrench, and keep lifting that pin until the pin sets 'again'.

Gordon
Just when you finally think you have learned it all, that is when you learn that you don't know anything yet.
User avatar
GWiens2001
Site Admin
 
Posts: 7550
Joined: 3 Sep 2012 16:24
Location: Arizona, United States

Next

Return to Got Questions? - Ask Beginner Hobby Lockpicking Questions Here

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Google [Bot], Google Adsense [Bot] and 11 guests