How does one "reset" their over-confidence for picking?

[McLinda]

I think I let my confidence go far beyond my knowledge of locks because I can't seem to pick anymore. Not even a Masterlock from a dollar store! At first I thought it was my tools, and it's true I did get sloppy when grinding and I'm always on a quest for the right sized wrench. So, I bought a set from China (yeah, I know) with all these weird looking picks that I really have no idea what kind of locks they were all designed for.

Basically, I'm self-taught and I've only successfully picked with small hook (deadbolds and door locks) and half diamond raking (padlocks and safes). I haven't single-pin picked in so long I forgot how and worse, I forgot how to self-teach.

I have a bunch of template print-outs that I've been researching and labeling, i.e., Balls are for Disks and Wafers, Half-Diamond's for cheaply variated pins, etc., but I need some resource that will illustrate what such locks actually look like.

I don't know why I'm even posting this, I know all that info is already here somewhere, I guess I'd just need someone to give me the right links to start with.

[kwoswalt99-]

Maybe one of these might help?
http://www.lockpicking101.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=58949&p=434362&hilit=picking+over+confidence#p434362
http://www.lockpicking101.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=19288&hilit=picking+over+confidence
http://www.lockpicking101.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=52462&p=389561&hilit=picking+over+confidence#p389561
http://www.lockpicking101.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=46822&p=359563&hilit=over+confidence#p359563

[billdeserthills]

I think you are trying to force an ability that must be cajoled or tricked. I mean when I try to force myself to pick open a lock I don't succeed nearly
as often as I do when I am in the correct mindset, and allow my ability to flow from my hands. Failing that I suggest you start from nearly step one
and remove several pins from a lock cylinder. You must allow your hands to remember to tension the lock correctly or all is lost.

[l0ckcr4ck3r]

If your Over-confidence can't be cured by your current inability to pick a Masterlock... then all hope is lost!!!

just go back to basics as suggested... I had a break from picking for a few months and lost all confidence. But just grabbed a couple of AL5200s and picked them over and over.
If its over or under confidence thats the problem.. return to square 1 and force yourself to relearn it all.

[knowspicker537]

I self taught myself as well, I've just started moving on to padlocks cuz I'm out of locks to pick around my house. Started with what I thought was an easy one 5pin ace cheapo padlock, was picking it for half a day only to realize the thing has spool pins lol. Never gets, old never underestimate a lock or your ability to feel like you don't know anything after u thought u were a master bahahahahah

[GWiens2001]

Just a caution on the cheapo padlocks from the dollar store... many have a Delrin (plastic) shell, rather than brass. The plastic deforms easily, so they can, on occasion, be extremely difficult to pick.

Also, a surprising number of them have what I call 'melted' spool pins. These came out of a cheap padlock from Harbor Freight.



Those melted spool pins feel funny - almost greasy - when picking them.

Gordon

[knowspicker537]

Thanks for the reply man,I don't think this one has plastic pins, though I can't be sure unless I could take the thing apart but I can't so... haha, I have some experience with spool pins in schlage deadbolts and this ace lock has a very similar feel I've been at it for a few days 20 min or so each day, and yesterday got very close, have had to reevaluate my tension technique quite a bit to, which I feel is because the whole plug assembly is so much smaller then I am used to, making progress should have that picked by the end of the week, then moving on to that master lock I was talking about. Just trying to do these in a logical order of difficulty

-knowspicker537

[FletcherMunson]

I've taken a few months off as well. Like many other skills, picking is perishable. I've put my high security locks away for a while and am returning to my progressive locks and cutaway locks for now. Its all coming back and I've even beaten some cheap padlocks that previously defeated me. Sometimes a hiatus is good for perspective.

[Squelchtone]

I've taken a few months off as well. Like many other skills, picking is perishable. I've put my high security locks away for a while and am returning to my progressive locks and cutaway locks for now. Its all coming back and I've even beaten some cheap padlocks that previously defeated me. Sometimes a hiatus is good for perspective.

I <3 your Sneakers avatar of Whistler hooking up to the item!!!!!! AND it's animated!!!

=)
Squelchtone

[FletcherMunson]

I <3 your Sneakers avatar of Whistler hooking up to the item!!!!!! AND it's animated!!!

=)
Squelchtone

Thanks man! Your avatar from Thief is not too shabby either. One of the best heist movies ever IMO.

[FuzzyChopz]

I use a clear/viewable practice lock to get my confidence back up.

[Korver15]

It seems everyone has got this post covered but Ill just chip in my two cents. Taking a lock apart and pinning it with two to three to four pins is a really good way to get back into it.

[knowspicker537]

Just a caution on the cheapo padlocks from the dollar store... many have a Delrin (plastic) shell, rather than brass. The plastic deforms easily, so they can, on occasion, be extremely difficult to pick.

Also, a surprising number of them have what I call 'melted' spool pins. These came out of a cheap padlock from Harbor Freight.



Those melted spool pins feel funny - almost greasy - when picking them.

Gordon

I stand corrected I think this ace lock does have these pins I've been at it for weeks and cannot seem to get it I'll keep going for a little bit before I take it apart to confirm my suspicion.

-knowspicker537