Bogota Technique

by **east_stingray** » 9 Jan 2006 14:20

So I've read Ray's description about how to use these and all the threads I could search up about it, but I'm still a bit unclear about the "jiggling". Is this just inserting the pick and jiggling up and down with the pick parallel to the ground? Is it jiggling with a see-sawing type motion? During all of this, does it work best to be raking in and out slightly, or keep the pick stationary with regard to depth in the lock? Thanks, and sorry if someone else addressed this, but most people seem to have just quoted Ray in their post. The craftmanship on these little buggers makes me want to frame them... but I'm afraid no one else around here would quite understand. Great work, Ray!

by **illusion** » 9 Jan 2006 14:26

I have found a rocking motion to be effective upon locks without security pins.

Against security pins try 'quivering" the pick as if you've had too much coffee, your hand should be almost acting as in you are shivering...

With both of these techniques 'bouncing' the tension wrench will increase success.

However this is what I personaly find useful and I look forwards to hearing how others use these picks.

by **bonez** » 9 Jan 2006 14:27

i found using these any of the above will do!!!!!!

by **Shrub** » 9 Jan 2006 14:29

try and saw the pns out with it but a lot gentler and not as much movement.

Still not made any though so im only useing general suggestions.

by **bonez** » 9 Jan 2006 14:31

i'll pop some in the post next week paul

by **Shrub** » 9 Jan 2006 15:00

Well thats vewry good of you mate, cheers.

by **digital_blue** » 9 Jan 2006 15:01

I think the key to success is randomness. The idea behind the Bogota rakes is that they are all set for high/low combinations. By jiggling, rocking, and gentle scrubbing combined, you will cycle the pick through many possible positions and eventually hit on just the right position for that particular lock. In practice, it usually doesn't take long.

As you use the pick, try and envision all possible positions the pick might sit in. Tilted forward slightly; tilted back; pushed in; pulled out; lifted up; dropped down. As you move the pick in the lock, keep these thoughts in mind. Through a set of seemingly random motions, the lock just ends up opening. It's not 100%, but it's closer than any other rake I've used.

Cheers!

db

by **east_stingray** » 9 Jan 2006 18:45

I'm just really not having any luck at all with these. I think I could probably single pin it faster... I've gotten my FirstWatch deadbolt a few times, even tried on the front door for kicks... must need to work on my technique. How much pressure do you guys use when you're "jiggling"? I'm afraid to use too much... maybe that's my problem.

by **illusion** » 9 Jan 2006 18:47

"BOUNCE" the tension as you do it.. this means applying not a fixed amount but a pulsing amount.

by **The Wanderer** » 9 Jan 2006 23:58

illusion wrote:"BOUNCE" the tension as you do it.. this means applying not a fixed amount but a pulsing amount.

This is good advice your getting here. Light and varied tension seems to be an important part of opening any lock with a Bogota. I had a couple of cutaway locks I bought from Varjeal, way back when. Seeing what your doing on the inside really seemed to help me get that "jiggly" movement down. I've opened everything I have around here with it, except for that #%@&#% Yale padlock of mine. Shakey, jittery, front/back seemed to work for me. I don't usually rake to much with it though. Up/Down Front/Back is what works for me most of the time.

Hope that helps!

by **conker** » 2 Feb 2006 1:59

sometimes when i've been trying a lock for over 20 minutes, i use a rake pick to speed up the process and just to try it. it works well half the time, but most times it just makes a lot of noise and scratches the pick and the lock. worth a try though.

personally though, i prefer the nice accurate way of taking one's time.

by **RenderMan** » 2 Feb 2006 13:21

Depending on the lock I use a combination of rocking/jiggling and pin by pin setting.

I rock the Bogota around a bit and I can feel pins setting. Once I have a few set I use the rake to see if I can set the remaining pins one at a time. This helps avoid overlifting pins once thier set. Usually I get 3-4 pins right away and it's just one or two that are stubborn. Works best on lower end locks, but I've had some success on higher end (American w/ serrated)

It's just a matter of practice.

by **jbae** » 4 Feb 2006 11:14

Bogota in action would be very helpful. I can't seem to get the technique down to open any lock. Could anyone have a link to someone using a bogota pick. Thank you.

by **NKT** » 4 Feb 2006 15:45

I use these first, and they get the lock 90% of the time.

I use a totally different technique. Use a very light tension, just so the first pins start to bind a bit when you bounce them with the rake. Then lift the pins, jiggle the lock a bit, etc. in the usual raking pattern. Slowly increase the tension. Often the lock opens within a few seconds if it's a cheap one.

If it doesn't, I stop increasing the tension, and start to press the rake up into the pins, feeling for them binding. Don't press too hard, and they will get you there and you will feel the pins setting. Even more advanced locks like the restricted Union, Yale standard, etc. fall to this inside a few minutes.

If it gets stuck on a security pin, I either back the tension off and continue raking, or, more commonly, I switch to a curve pick and beat the last pin or two that way.

My other trick is to twist the rake slowly, against the direction of spin of the plug. With a light tension, this will pop those sticking anti-pick pins up past the shearline, and let them set.

I'm going to try that reverse picking thing in the other thread, too, as I've tried it in the past, but with more info I might have more success.