Question about picking one pin at a time

by **BarkingMouse** » 18 Dec 2005 11:29

Hi, I am trying to learn how to pick 5 pin locks and am going by the guide on this website written by digital blue. I have already read the MIT guide, but I am still having some trouble. Right now I have two pins in the lock and am trying to raise just one at a time, but I guess when I'm raising the most far back pin, the one right in front of it comes along too and the lock just opens. I'm using a pick from Southern Ordinance, it is basically straight but has a small hook at the end. Is this the wrong pick to be using? Thanks for any help

by **SFGOON** » 18 Dec 2005 11:50

You're using the right pick, you just need to put more pins in if it's too easy. All you really need to pick a two pin lock is a straight piece of metal, it's too easy. Start with a three pinner that goes low - high - low, that will teach you the best. Don't be afriad to go for a four or five pinner outright either.

by **cha0s** » 18 Dec 2005 11:53

It might be to short of a "hook" which is the name of the pick. If you have one with a sharper angle up on it use that.. You can also try going in the first and third cylanders just to give yourself a bit more space at the beginning but as soon as you get the feel for it go back to pins in the 1 and 2. It will make it a bit easier cus of more space but in real life you wont have that option. So if your so inclined give yourself a bit more space BUT as soon as youve got it move back. Good luck and im glad to see someone is using the tutorials!

-Drew

by **cha0s** » 18 Dec 2005 11:54

SFGOON wrote:You're using the right pick, you just need to put more pins in if it's too easy. All you really need to pick a two pin lock is a straight piece of metal, it's too easy. Start with a three pinner that goes low - high - low, that will teach you the best. Don't be afriad to go for a four or five pinner outright either.

I think he is saying while picking the second pin he is making contact with the first so that he isnt really picking it he is just accidently setting the first pin.

by **BarkingMouse** » 18 Dec 2005 12:09

Well I put three of them in and am having the same problem, except now instead of it unlocking, one of the pins just binds and wont move up and down. I can fix this by letting just a little bit of the pressure off the torque wrench, but I still feel like I'm just guessing around and lifting random pins up until it opens.

by **Shrub** » 18 Dec 2005 12:10

I think thats what hes saying as well, both pins should be together and at the front, if your hook isnt big enough use a differant one but just by angleing it up you should clear the first pin :wink:

by **digital_blue** » 18 Dec 2005 12:39

Yes, let me jump in here, because I think you're very close to getting off track.

First off, go back to 2 pins. There's no sense in moving up to 3 pins until you've gotten everything you can from the 2 pin exercise, and I don't think you have yet.

For starters, I think that the problem may be a combination of a couple things. One is probably poor technique (nothing to worry about if you're new to this.. it'll come). The second is that my guess it that the two lengths of pins that you have are probably fairly similar. If you can try and put two pins that have a somewhat different length you may find that it makes it a little more challenging and possible avoids the problem you are having.

Work to lift the rear pin without unsettling the pin in front of it. It will take practice, but if you don't manage it you will have difficulties later.

Also, if a pin is binding so much that you cannot lift it, you are certainly applying too much tension. Ease up on that a bit and find the right amount of tension that allows you to feel the pin binding, or dragging, but still allows you to lift it.

It's an acquired skill, but if you're diligent with your practice you will end up a much better lock picker in the end.

Cheers!

db

by **BarkingMouse** » 19 Dec 2005 11:36

Thanks for all your help so far, I appreciate it

. So now I can do the middle 3 pins, but I think this is because they are all about the same height. I'm still having a lot of trouble picking a pin I have to lift a pretty far distance that is right behind a pin that I barely have to move at all. Any tips on how to lift the back one without getting the front one stuck?

by **digital_blue** » 19 Dec 2005 14:39

This is where tool making comes in. One of the motivating factors for me getting into making tools was to make shapes that are not common in a basic set. I've made dozens of different sized hooks to address precisely the problem you mention. It is also why the Falle-Safe tools are so accommodating and effective.

However, I don't want to give the impression that having just the right tool will do the work for you. At the end of the day, you've still just gotta learn this skill, and no shape of hook will get around that. Practice practice practice. Keep at it and you'll get it. Having a deeper hook might just make the learning process go a bit better.

Cheers!

db

by **digital_blue** » 19 Dec 2005 14:43

Another thought that has just come to mind is that your problem may have as much to do with poor technique. If you are lifting the whole pick to try and lift the individual pin, this may be the cause of many of your tribulations. I tend to find something upon which to pivot or fulcrum the pick on. Sometimes it's the bottom of the keyway. Sometimes it's the blade of the tension wrench. Sometimes it's just the tip of my middle finger of my picking hand. Either way, the motion is much like you'd expect using a crow bar.

Give that a whirl and see what comes of it.

Good luck! Happy picking!

db

Question about picking one pin at a time

Question about picking one pin at a time

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