Stuart - Lock

[Dobbo049]

Hey
im new here so 1st id like to introduce myself
im stuart, new to lockpicking, it just one of those skills u wana have
got a small southord set last week with tention wrench, hook, half damond, ball and snake (think thats rite).

i can only practice on our front door becasue its the only tumbler lock in the house and its abit strange becasue the pins will lock one way and not the other. the annoying this is the other side in the way it needs to turn to unlock :S

its one of those doors that u have to lift up the handle before u can lock it. basically what i meen is if its locked, and i put the key in it will turn clockwise about 160o then gets stuck, i have mannaged to pick it seveal times to do this but its no use because its not ment to unlock that way. and if i then the key the other direction it will unlock, but if i try and pick it most of the pins wont lock into place, so i can pick it to lock the door, but not unlock it. :S

i am new so im not very good at it yet, i tend to screw it up 80% of the time i pick it, only been successfull about 4 times but havent actually been able to unlock it yet :S

can anyone gimme some help and advice?
thanks
Stu

[paulvalente]

Sounds to me like you've got a UPVC front door.

Firstly, for the love of god stop trying to pick your front door!! the lock can get stuck upside down if you're not really careful and then not even the key will bail you out!!! You'll be locked in or out or you'll be in and unable to lock the door!!

I only say this because the very same thing happened to me the other day.

Just pop to your local locksmiths and ask to buy a couple of Bird nightlatch cylinders to practice on. They should be about 3 or 4 quid each.

They're easy but they make a great lock to start on as they have no security pins.

If you're really struggling I'll even go and buy them for you if you've no locksmith near you.

Cheers

Paul

[Dobbo049]

ok ill stop on the front door

whats a UPVC? they hard to pick?

as far as i know we dont have a locksmith near us atall, and i dont wanna put u through the trouble of getting one, unless your sure its not a problem.
thanks
stu

[paulvalente]

Nice one mate, thank god you stopped in time. You'd have been very pissed off if you couldn't go down the pub cos you couldn't lock your own front door!

UPVC = Unplasticized Polyvinylchloride Its a popular material for making front doors and windows etc. Amongst other stuff.

I assume you've got a plastic front door probably white? Although saying that I suppose it could be an aluminium one?

So in answer to your question on whether UPVC is hard to pick? I'd say only if you're torn between the Edwardian and Georgian styles.

It won't be a problem at all, I work about a mile from a very well stocked locksmith shop who's sympathetic to my needs (within reason I suppose).

I reckon that for about £10 + P&P you could get a couple of cylinders, probably a Bird one which are really easy to practice on, and something a fraction harder like an ERA or similar. between them you should be able to work your way up. Which is pretty much what I'm trying to do at the moment.

I reckon about £13 "all in" ought to do it.

Of course it's entirely up to you I just would keep well clear of your front door in the future.

Cheers

Paul

[Dobbo049]

lol
well done yes my front door is white plastic
ok thanks u got an msn u can send me and we can chat on there?
thanks
stu

[Dobbo049]

i gave into temptation and tried the front door again.....i know lol im deffinatly gonna stop now.

but anyways i was useing the half diamond and i was jst scrubbing the pins realy lightly with hardly any tention on the tention wrench atall, nothing like what iv been giveing it, and i was jst scrubbing it lightly and it swung open, i was like "S**T!!!" i was well pleased

so i done it another few times and started trying to do it pin by pin again and im slowly getting it. i did it about 10 times each 40-60 seconds.

im gonna quit while im ahead now tho before i go and _ it up

thanks

[paulvalente]

I spend most of my computer time at work I'm afraid so i can't help in that respect, I've not bothered to install MSN on my work PC.

You can PM me though if you prefer.

Paul