What did you pick today?

[jbrint]

Do practice locks count? If so, I've been learning on the Supermax lock. My first week since start lockpicking, and I'm up to 7 pins on this thing. Although all standard pins, I noticed a huge jump in difficulty after 5 pins. I was working on 6, but got a little board and went to 7.

First attempt took me 2.5 minutes, which I was excited about. Turns out it was just luck- because every time after that took me about 20 minutes.

If you picked it and its where you are at skill wise, then I would say that counts. Keep throwing pins in there and keep changing them until you can feel it out. If you have a friend thats into LP'ing have that person pin it and then blind pick it. Once it isn't a challenge anymore start throwing in some security pins. Just ease up on the strong hand and practice, you got this.

Thanks. I jump back and forth. When I REALLy struggle, I simply remove some pins. When it gets too easy, I add more. Not at security pen level yet, but I am looking forward to it.
I notice after 5 pins, aside from being more difficult- it's a little trickier to reach further back with my pick while trying not to disrupt the other pins in the process. Learned my lesson last time, after spending an hour on a 6 pin, only to realize it had been unlocked early on, and I just had to jiggle the tension wrench a little because it had bound up.

Another fun one, was spending 20 minutes on a lock that picked several times under ~25 seconds. Turns out I had picked it already and the swingout arm was hitting the vise.

Happens man, we all have stuff like that happen and all you can do is chuckle about it. I can only speak for myself but I feel pretty confident there isn't a person on here who doesn't have one of those days.

I generally pick locks on the sofa when I am doing other things so I don't focus as hard as i would otherwise. This allows my mind to wander and leaves the hands to work it out. You might consider doing it while you watch tv and see what happens.

Also you might do well to grab a short hook pick and try working from the opposite end of the keyway. I don't know what you use for picks but something like this helps me in Schlage keyways with a high/low bitting.

http://www.sparrowslockpicks.com/product_p/4.htm

I can almost get it in the keyway sideways and then rotate it up past the pins in the way and pick.

[Squelchtone]

Hey guys, please keep this thread to what you picked today, And continue this conversation on how to be a better picker in another thread or via PM.

This thread is to share what lock you picked today and usually a photo of the picked lock.

Thank you,
Squelchtone

[adi_picker]

Lockwood (AU) 120/50





5 pin, spool pins 2,3 and 4. Shackle seized, no clunk

[kwoswalt99-]

^^^That's fixable. Some penetrating oil might do the trick, but if not, you should be able to carefully pry it open if it's still unlocked.

[Bl1ndE Esk1mo]

Today I picked my first deadbolt. Master lock brand but I do not know what number. And a master lock#3 and a no name brand padlock with a small keyway, made in china. And now I'm out of locks and searching for more.

[adi_picker]

It is fixable kwoswalt99, but its weighing up the effort for the return. Most of my locks, like the one above, have seen heavy use. Quite a lot are seized, so I have a few techniques. If its not going in the collection due to company stamps or marks, and I dont mind scuffing it up a little, I will pry. If they dont give here, or I wanna clean em up, I usually bathe them in a solvent for a few days (whatevers handy, Thinners, Acetone, etc), and then another few in CRC. After a good soak, I give a em bash with a soft face hammer, and try and get that 1/8 inch play the shackle has when locked. If they still wont give, I set them up on the vice with pegs between the shackle and body and try to lever them open like this. Most give after the bath, but I still have a few that remain shut. I dont really have any ideas for these ones, because although I generally have plenty of shackles I could replace them with, Im yet to find a way to even destructively remove the shackle without damaging the body. The one above is just one of many in the collection, and nothing special, so I fixed it by moving it onto another picker friend for practice

[teamstarlet]

Got this old Corbin picked after giving it a thorough clean and lube...

First padlock I've actually come across with ball bearing key pins.

[Joshua904]

American lock 1105
(click for bigger image)


Clamped it up in the vise, picked it in about 10 mins, but shackle didn't pop. Thought maybe I was turning it enough, so I stuck a normal L tension wrench in the bottom and turned more.. still nothing, even though I was past where the key could physically turn it. Released tension to look on youtube to see if there was some trick, like the tip of the key actuating the release.. nah, normal stuff, but when I released tension it sprung around (continuing clockwise) to around the 9oclock position. I thought i hosed it up, but turning it back to 12oclock and tried the key, and all was good. Well, ate dinner, came back and picked it again (around 5 mins) and same thing.. no shackle releasing. Thats when I released the shackle was against part of the vise.

Yeah.. I did that.

So, loosened the vise, shackle popped open. I paid 5.75 +3 shipping, so I can't expect too much... but I will say I was expecting more out of the american lock. Guess I'll have to find one of those bigger heavier ones and see if there is a difference.

[WestCoastPicks]

Sadly Not control this time (again)

[Squelchtone]

Sadly Not control this time (again)

Not sure if you know it, but Medeco LFIC contol is to the Left, and it's controlled by only a couple of the pins, I think pins 3 and 4?

Congrats on picking a Medeco though, never an easy task!
Squelchtone

[WestCoastPicks]

Sadly Not control this time (again)

Not sure if you know it, but Medeco LFIC contol is to the Left, and it's controlled by only a couple of the pins, I think pins 3 and 4?

Congrats on picking a Medeco though, never an easy task!
Squelchtone

OMG I did not know. Lol thanks. Maybe I'll get it now!

[Mudman]

Mr. Wizards practice lock. Went from 7 pin all standard, to 5 pin with one spool, then 6 pin with one spool. As shown, this was picked at 6 pins with one spool and one serrated.

[teamstarlet]

Started off pacticing on my 5-pin Medeco m3 which I've been progressively pinning in my quest to learn to pick Medeco's...



...and then moved on to this, which has been my nemesis for several years as I've lived in hope of getting my skills up enough to be able to pick it.

Today was the day I got my first ever 6-pin Medeco



So yeah, it's been a good day

[Squelchtone]

teamstarlet, strong work man! Medecos are pickable, but they are no joke and require a lot of practice and understanding of how those mechanisms work.


I was just doing some couch picking and got my TrioVing 5652 padlock open tonight =)



*not my usual tension wrench, but needed something comfortable to rest my finger on since this cylinder false sets the pins so abruptly with a really deep false set.

Squelchtone

[GWiens2001]

Congrats, starlet, and to Squelchtone as well!

Gordon