Getting Worse?!?!

[jjrythem]

heh just got my picks yesterday and i tried to pick a door in my house first time i was just curious n messed around with it... opened in about 5 seconds.. so then i did it again more focused on what i needed to do i first raked cuz i aint that good n unloacked it in about 20 seconds the third time it took me like 2 min and the 4th i couldnt do it.... it wont work i cant pick it it seems to me that there is only one pick that wont go down and i have tried many times to do it but it wont work...

[rayman452]

Then I guess the solution is obviously quite clear. Don't focus when you pick locks . I had a problem like this, but with a Viro lock, if I tried to pick it, it wouldn't open, but if I just screwed with it, it would pop open...

[master in training]

You could be trying and concentrating too much, just sit back, relax and then try again clear headed. You could also be getting careless because you think its easy so you're not doing the basic things to pick a lock like you did the first time.

Get yourself a practice lock (picking locks you rely on is a bad idea...), then take it apart, familiarise yourself with its internals, then put it back together with only one or 2 pin stacks in it and get used to picking that so that you can visualise whats happening inside the lock and you can tell whats happening with each pin by the feelings you get through the pick and tension wrench. When you pick it a few times, dont up the amount of pins just yet, make sure you get used to how things feel first

Good luck! Hope it helps...

~ Master in Training ~

[SFGOON]

That's exactly what happened to me at first. Try to be very aware of how much tension you're putting on your wrench, you're getting frustrated and over-turning the wrench, I can almost tell.

[Exodus5000]

That's exactly what happened to me at first. Try to be very aware of how much tension you're putting on your wrench, you're getting frustrated and over-turning the wrench, I can almost tell.

I agree, tension makes such a huge difference. Also know that since you're still learning the basics your picking consistancy probably wont be the best, but like all things gets better with practice.

[jjrythem]

ok thanks alot!!
ill try to cool down lol

also i have a door lock how could i take that apart? like i have it like as if you bought it from a store in three seperate pecies

[digital_blue]

You know, it seems like I'm the only person who thinks this, but I actually don't agree with the "pay less attention" philisophy. Although many may disagree with me, it is my thought that you will get far more effect from your practice if you are paying attention. I'm all for idle picking while sitting in front of the tv once you've acquired the basic skills but until then, I think you are best to pay careful attention to what you are doing until you get it figured out. Remember the basics.

1) Apply just enough pressure with the tension wrench to cause a pin in bind up or drag as you push it up.
2) Raise that pin until you physically feel it hit the shear and the plug gives way ever so slightly.
3) Feel out the remaining pins to find which is the next pin to bind.
4) Repeat steps 2 and three as needed

Now how can you hope to get proficient at the above without paying attention. I know in time just random poking around will help you develop some muscle memory and you will start to slowly get the idea of what works. I suspect there is a fsater way though. If you start with a single pin lock and add pins only as you become proficient with your current level, and pay careful attention to the above process, I believe you will increase your skills much more quickly than learning through random poking. (I know somebody will want to pipe in and say that they were not advocating "random poking" but a novice picking a lock without paying attention, to me, is random poking.)

Of course, as always, these are just my thoughts. Your milage may vary.

db

[triman247]

amen DB, I pick while watching ComedyCentral. I laugh, pick... two of my favorite things to do all in one place.

If only I could pick, swim, and watch tv at the same time that would be awesome!

[captainsawdust]

Go and get a lock to pratice on !

dont do it on ones that you rely on !

[Sabin37]

(I know somebody will want to pipe in and say that they were not advocating "random poking" but a novice picking a lock without paying attention, to me, is random poking.)

Indeed, either you know what to look for or you don't. If you don't, it will generally result in random poking.

db, those 4 steps should be read by all newcomers. It's a very clear procedure on how to pick most locks and what to look for.

[Mad Mick]

Sometimes, just laying on the bed with a lock on your stomach, in the dark, and no TV can be just what you need. There are no visual distractions, no audible distractions...nothing. Just you and the lock.

Oh yeah, you may need some picks and a wrench too.

This worked a lot more effectively for me than the TV distraction thing. Oddly though, the opening success seemed to wake me from a half-sleep. Maybe a daytime sub-concious learning process coming to fruition?

[jjrythem]

thanks alot db ill keep trying... n the steps i no will help me.
i do have 3 practice locks just one is attached to a door that we dont used(used to goto a garage now its a familyroom) another is a padlock and the third is a door handle that i bought just for this... lol

and thats what i was asking before how could i take the door handle apart to take out some pins?

[MrB]

how could i take the door handle apart to take out some pins?

By carefully following the instructions.

Which instructions? Well, that depends a little on what make and brand of lock it is, which you have not told us anything about. Sometimes it can be a bit tricky to get the cylinder out of a door knob or handle, and exactly how you do it might depend on what you have.

Tell us more, and we can give you better information.

[vector40]

Let me ask this seriously. Who here has ever caused real damage (to the extent where it didn't work anymore, not scratches and dings) to a lock they were trying to pick?

Our recommendation is always "don't touch the real ones!" and that makes sense in theory, but honestly... when I approach a new lock, "will I break it?" is NOT anywhere in my plethora of worries.

[MrB]

Well, the "Help, I tried to pick the lock on my door and I broke it!" is a not uncommon post around here. I don't feel inclined to go seek out the most recent threads of that nature, but "Don't pick locks you rely on" is sound advice. Truly.