new too lock picking

[juggaloivxx]

im new too lockpicking and was just wondering where to get started, aldo i plan to eventually buy a lock pick kit but until then is there a way to make an effective one out of common household items (paper clips, hair pins, etc...) also it would be helpfull to find a place that tells me how to pick a lock. i tried to read the MIT but the vocab in it was to hard for me so if some one oculd either help me with the vocab or show me a site that doesnt have such tricky words that would be fantastic. thanks for your time and great job on the forum (just signed up today)

[WhiteHat]

try howstuffworks.com - they have a very good visual guide to how locks work.

after that - come back to this thread and post the terminology that you don't understand from the MIT guide and we'll translate it for you.

[jamo]

I have the same problem as juggaloivxx i currently can't get picks for certain reasons so was wondering if you can use paper clips or pins of any sort to pick locks

[Unlock-IT]

I sugest if you learn the different parts that make up a lock or locks in your area the M.I.T guide will make more sense to you.

I have to ask Jamo what are the circumstances behind you not being able to obtain a set of lock picks, and makes you interested in picking with a paper clip?

[jamo]

the circumstances are the fact a) i cannot buy off the internet easily b) if i did manage it my parents would confiscate the picks instantly and c) if i got caught in school with picks i would be for the chop (i am not intending to do anything unlawful in school but i usually carry random stuff in my pockets like a torch and screwdrivers etc they always seem to come in handy) well the fact of carrying around a pick falls into the catagory of being handy.

[Geek142]

Hey

Just some advice to you jamo, There has been a post where people haven’t pursued Lockpicking because of there parents and the advice is the site down and talk to them about it, even show them this website to show that it isn’t intended for malicious purposes. Just try to explain that is another hobby that you have taken up and if you get into it more it could lead to a job or work experience to be a locksmith (if that’s what you want to do when you learn more). You also don’t have to buy picks you can easily make them or try find someone on the board close to you and ask them if they have a set that they could sell you. If you do take them to school just don’t take them out and announce to the world that you can do it and you will have a less of a chance being caught and even if they did catch you I doubt the teacher would know what they are. One teacher caught me with my picks and took them and was confused of what they were so I just said that I was playing with my grinder and stuff and he said he would give them back at the end of the year.

Goodluck

Geek

[digital_blue]

1. Always get your parents on your side when it comes to picking. You'd be amazed how handy that will come in, and how incredibly "unhandy" it will be if you hide it from them and they find out.

2. Don't take your picks to school. More bad will come of this than good. Even if there was a legitimate moment when having your picks with you could be benefitial, if anyone from faculty finds out they'll probably just take them away and call your parents, and at that point even if your parents were onside they'll probably disallow you to have picks because you weren't responsible with them.

I wrote this some time ago for a different reason, but it occured to me that it might be helpful for the younger lads (and lassies if applicable) to help explain their newfound interest. If just one young lockpicker can be spared from the unreasonable torment of being forbidden to pick locks then it was all worth it...

[url]http://www.geocities.com/digital_blue_site/sportlpintro.pdf
[/url]

[rayman452]

Actually, it depends on whom you are. I myslef pick locks in school, weither it be in class when Im done stuff, lunch, or on the bus, I usually pick my master lock. I dont take my dead bolts out, because I dont want to scare the general public whom sees me doing this. My geo teacher knows I do it the most, partly because she said if anything goes missing from her house, shes gonna blame me. Im pretty safe though, due do my marks and attitude, along with a perfect record. If you;'ve been suspended before for breaking and entering issues, I suggest you not carry them. If you act like a goodie goodie infront of the teachers, then your all set.

[Red]

Good advice Blue As someone with vast experience with pissed-off parents (not mine, others) I feel it is good to be up front with your folks about this particular hobby. Sometimes they can be very reasonable.

This week alone I've had to talk to two different moms whose (under 18)sons had clipped their credit cards and hopped onto our site to purchase a pick set. They used all of moms info, lied about who they were and attached a different shipping address...both certain Lockpickshop.com would ship to a friends home. Of course we ship ONLY to the owner of the credit card and ship only to the billing address for security reasons (except under special circumstances) Though this is posted in big RED text on the checkout pages they played Russian roulette and lost big time. Both of the moms received their very own lockpick sets and called our office immediately upon receipt to get the lowdown. This morning one of them called the police on her own son (OUCH!) and turned him in for clipping her credit card AND buying lockpicks.

I would think very carefully before trying to pull one over on the parents...these two moms were really ticked off. No one needs this kind of drama!

[digital_blue]

Not sure what I did wrong with the link there... but let's try this again. Sorry.

http://www.geocities.com/digital_blue_site/sportlpintro.pdf

db

[WhiteHat]

Excelent document DB - do you mind if I put that in the FAQ's?

just one little picky thing:
p6 "practice locks" first paragraph third sentance "As a new lockpicker there is a substantial risk that you damage to a lock"

hehe...

[digital_blue]

You're more than welcome to put it in the FAQ's WhiteHat.

I've corrected the typo and posted the update, so the link is now to the new file. I know myself well enough to guess that there are more typos and spelling mistakes, so if anyone notices any more I'll be happy to correct and update.

Cheers!

db

[WhiteHat]

some stuff

I never really thought about it from the perspective of a lock pick retail company before - it's an interesting thought - did you end up having to refund the money and recieve the picks back at all?

[Red]

In the two cases I spoke of both of the parents were so furious at their kids that didn't want to push that issue. Once it is explained to them that their precious darlings broke several laws (wire and mail fraud included)by misrepresenting themselves and using a "stolen" credit card they realize the gravity of the situation.
In general they are more concerned that we will call the police and turn them in, moreso than anything else. The exception would be the mom that called the police herself. I have a feeling her son is already on a poster at the post office for other reasons...
If they agree to return the tools in sellable condition (sans blood from beating the children over the head with the tools - blood would most assuredly be a dealbreaker) we ALWAYS credit the card. We'd rather have the tools back safely where they belong. The parents should not be responsible for purchases they didn't make. They agree to take care of return shipping and its a done deal.

[jamo]

Tis ok i tlked to my parents and they are fine with me picking locks i think coz they don't think ill ever manage it but hey ill show them. They won't let me buy a set of picks but didn't seem to care when i said i was going to make them so alls good