Basic Scrubbing.

[Mith]

Ok, after reading a bunch of material on picking (MIT Guide, some here) and think I know basically how to pick your average tumbler lock. I just got the cheapest jackknife set over at lockpicks.com and they said it shipped today, so I am really excited.
So, basic scrubbing, i think it comes down to these steps, and correct me if i am wrong.
1. Stick your torque wrench in the lock (I think top looks best) and make sure it goes up to the first pin, not under it, but touching it, and then apply twist pressure, and then pull it a little back. So... a lil diagram..
____
\_|||
where the \_ is our wrench, the | are pins, and the __ on the top is the top of the plug.
2. You insert your pick, and move it back and forth rapidly, letting the pins catch as you keep your toque.
3. All of the catch, and you turn the lock, having picked it.
Is this right, and i missing anything? Are their any techniques that you all really like?
Thanks,
Mith (aka, total n00b )

[digital_blue]

I would suggest that you do not let your wrench touch the first pin. This will cause it to bind when it's not supposed to. Otherwise, you're on the right track. Bear in mind, thought, that scrubbing is a finicky thing that doesn't work on all locks. If this one technique is the only you practice, it will be like trying to learn to play the guitar with only a G and C cord. Unless you're Greenday, that just won't work.

db

[aviator151]

So, basic scrubbing, i think it comes down to these steps, and correct me if i am wrong.
1. Stick your torque wrench in the lock (I think top looks best) and make sure it goes up to the first pin, not under it, but touching it, and then apply twist pressure, and then pull it a little back

Some people put their tension wrenches at the top, some at the bottom of the plug, that's up to you. I find it is out of the way at the bottom and easy to pick/scrub that way. When raking/scrubbing I tend to go at an easy tempo, not rapid, but not too slow.
And just from advice from a noob to a noob. You should try picking the lock before just scrubbing/raking it. Picking each pin may take more time but you will have more of a "feel" for the lock. Raking may work on some locks but not all of them. I have found the cheaper locks tend to be the easiest to rake open but the harder the lock, the harder it is to use a rake on it.
And from what I have heard, jacknife picks are not the best tools. Maybe someone with more experience can give you better advice.
Happy picking.

[kodierer]

I am not particularly a fan of raking, as it lacks finess, but like mentioned before if you ever want to get good at picking locks its best you learn to feel the pins, and pick with the feeler(short hook). Raking is a good technique on some locks, and I recommend you learn it, but not until you can pick fairly well with the hook. There are other raking techniques, and different types of rakes, so once you do learn to pick locks give it a shot, just remember even though its often faster, and easier it is more limited.
Raking was recently discussed here
viewtopic.php?t=6870

[Guesss]

i have said it before but i think the learning process should be pin by pin, raking, pick/snap guns then electric. roughly i am still in the picking /raking phase but i have heard from lots of more experienced people that they agree with that order.

with out the first pin by pin and understanding that then the others are just lucky if it works because you don't understand what it is actually doing. Luck isn't the way to pick. Cause luck is just that and doesn't work all the time and it won't work the time that you need it.