Need a 15 dollar or less Practice Lock

[jak4949]

Hey
So I have a budget of 15 dollars. Yeah, i know, not much i could buy, but i need a practice lock, preferably a cutaway, for less than or exactly 15 dollars. One more thing: it has to be easy to pick for a beginner, (no extra security pins or anything). Please, if there is such a lock, post the link or model name/number here.
Thank you
-A complete cheap beginner

[Squelchtone]

You will not find anywhere cheaper than ebay. (I hope you dont reply that you dont have an ebay account, because you will not find a cutaway lock anywhere else for these prices)

click this: http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=cutaway%20lock%20training&_sop=15&_udlo=0&_udhi=15.00

Please note you are taking the classic novice approach of thinking a cutaway lock will make you a better picker. This has been proven to not be true. A cutaway is a great way to visually "get" what is going on inside, but it will not teach you the light touch and feel you need to set pins and pick a lock.

It is better to get a regular Kwikset/Schlage/Defiant/MountainSecurity/Brinks deadbolt cylinder at HomeDepot/AceHardware/Walmart/Lowes and remove all the pins except for 1 pin stack, pick that, then drop in another pin stack and pick that then add a 3rd pin stack and so on.

[jak4949]

You will not find anywhere cheaper than ebay. (I hope you dont reply that you dont have an ebay account, because you will not find a cutaway lock anywhere else for these prices)

click this: http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=cutaway%20lock%20training&_sop=15&_udlo=0&_udhi=15.00

Please note you are taking the classic novice approach of thinking a cutaway lock will make you a better picker. This has been proven to not be true. A cutaway is a great way to visually "get" what is going on inside, but it will not teach you the light touch and feel you need to set pins and pick a lock.

It is better to get a regular Kwikset/Schlage/Defiant/MountainSecurity/Brinks deadbolt cylinder at HomeDepot/AceHardware/Walmart/Lowes and remove all the pins except for 1 pin stack, pick that, then drop in another pin stack and pick that then add a 3rd pin stack and so on.

Thanks for replying! I do have an ebay account, and i'll buy one. Are the regular deadbolt cylinders cheaper than the cutaway lock?

[Raymond]

Cut aways do not really enhance learning to pick. They are fun and interesting to look at to understand how a lock works but that is about it. Follow Squelchtone's advice and look for a simple deadbolt. Look also at the cheapest 'dollar' type stores or flea markets or used item resellers. Stop at every garage or estate sale to look for samples.

[YouLuckyFox]

Thanks for replying! I do have an ebay account, and i'll buy one. Are the regular deadbolt cylinders cheaper than the cutaway lock?

Yes, much cheaper. Plus, the clear cutaways I've seen are SC10 keyways, which are (in my opinion) much harder to learn lockpicking with. A standard Kwikset, on the other hand, is competitively a beginner lock. Clear plastic locks are good for demonstration but they are unnecessary for gaining lockpicking as a skill. Personally, I gained a lot more understanding of how locks work by rekeying a lock a few times over rather than using a clear plastic lock. Knowing how something is taken apart helps you understand how it is put together and how to manipulate it. Another thing is that what's right for me might not be right for you! Best of luck to you, welcome to the forum, and feel free to PM me with any specific questions!

[Scajaquada87]

+1 on what everyone else said. Just be sure to avoid purchasing a Kwikset SmartKey, which is typically sold alongside the regular Kwiksets in many hardware stores. Also, I would advise purchasing a deadbolt instead of a key-in-knob lock. Kwikset key-in-knob locks require a special tool in order to remove the cylinder while deadbolts are generally easier to disassemble, especially if you're starting out. Since you will want to repin the lock to only one or two pin stacks while you learn, deadbolt would be preferable to a key-in-knob.