The 78 try out/ jiggler keys for the bs locks.

[pcbear]

Do they work as described eg- 95% success rate, if so it would be a better option than buying the decoding picks, any thoughts on this, panel?

[pinky]

In Short , NO !!!!

i guess if you find 95 locks it opens, then add 5 more it would have 95% success rate.

of those ive spoke to , its more like 10% success rate, but this has a downside, with allowing 1 minute a key and trying 78 keys, a long time and still unlikely to open.

faced with this, 5 to 10 mins with a curtain pick or decoder seems good.

Crap openers, but exceptional tension wrenches if ground down.

[Shrub]

2 and 3 lever try out keys are good but as pinky says the 5 lever ones are shite.

[CJM]

If you are using them then try taking a read with a cut down key it narrows down the group you need to try

[quacking_duck]

The only way forward in my opinion for a locksmith to work non-destructively on the BS locks is to buy the decoders and curtain picks. Certain decoders are essential kit if you're new to the trade, until you are proficient with curtain picks. Decoders are expensive, but an excellent and worthwhile investment. Also, the ability to ID the wide variety of BS locks available on the market today through the keyway is of paramount importance to their picking and decoding success.

I have not been trading long myself but have invested in many of the BS picks so far. I practice using my curtain picks for at least 2 or 3 hours a day on various brands of BS locks in my collection. I feel, as a relative newcomer to the industry, that this is the only possible way for me to ensure I turn up at BS locks with the confidence that the 'rotary pick' will be unlikely to make an appearance.

If you're serious about NDE, a good first choice in BS picks would be a Chubb 3G114 decoder, them being such a popular lock, you will undoubtedly encounter them. The Invincible and the Profit picks are a good buy if ERA is common in your area, as you stated in an earlier post. You will find you may need more specific decoders as time goes by. 5g & 7g curtain picks are also essential. Forget the 78 key jigglers, unfortunately, there is no cheap way to do it.

[pcbear]

Stupid question without thinking about it, would the 5 lever set work in 2 and 3 lever locks?

Tin hat on.

[pinky]

no ! but the 3 lever set works in some 5 lever locks.

there is no simple and short way to pick 5 lever bs locks, time practice and tool investment, no other way!!!

[pcbear]

I did purchase the 78 jiggler set, i should have held off as the respected posters rubbished the Souber 95% success rate, i make you right guys.
I also purchased a Marc Francis curtain wheel pick so some practice required there, to save a new thread what would any posters preferred method and favourite pick for cylinder locks? Half rake gives me most success.

[illusion]

hmm... for a normal cylinder lock I use hooks mostly.

I used to rake but found that although it did work well sometimes, when it didn't it was like pi**ing into the wind.

[pinky]

half diamond and falle set of hooks for me if i hand pick, but for swift results at the door i put faith in my wendt or hpc pick guns.

[pcbear]

I have the Southord manual pick gun, undecided on it as yet, not the magic wand i expected, still santa might bring one tomorrow.
Manual pick guns, rated by you lads?

[Shrub]

Pesonally i also have the SO manual pick gun and have a reasonable success with it but it isnt the first tool out the box unless its to loosen stiff pins

Get some falle tools for the deep curves and invest in a decent electric pickgun,

[Knows-Picker]

here is the deal, The electric pick gun by southord is great...I am not paid by them or anything, I just use their stuff alot. between that and my brockhage manual pick gun, I can open about any "normal" cylinder lock in no time....Every now and then, when I come up to a paticularly unusual pin setup then its back to manual picking, but they do work great....If you are new into this, and are looking for the most bang for your buck, I recomend the manual pick gun....It does everything that the electric does, it is MUCH MUCH MUCH quiter than the electric, just takes a little more practice......But then again, just as a for-warning, these are better for professionals, are they are far less rewarding for sport pickers, and they are designed for quick entry, which in my eyes leans more toward the B&E aspect of this, but I can't say thats everyone, after all I myself have them as well. They are great toys, just not as much fun as hand picking them one at a time.

[illusion]

I dunno.... it's true that it is more designed for lockies, but hobby pickers may find some interest in them.

Probably the worst part is that after a hobby picker becomes good with one it just gets thrown in a draw of tools that are rarely used - it's been used and given a bit of enjoyment but will likely get boring.

Although having said that I'm after one at the moment

[vector40]

I have frequently had better luck with the manual gun (Lockaid) than with the electric (HPC); it really depends on the lock. It's also far less destructive, which is a serious issue if you're spending a while trying to effect an opening. And also a serious issue if you happen to use bumping, because a good session with the electric gun will round off the tips of the pins and pretty much nullify any chance of bump keys working.

Both are good and worthwhile tools.