How does raking work?

[possamai]

Hi,

I know what raking is.. But I can't seem to understand something..
Imagin you yank the rake tool in and ou t the lock a few times with a little tension on the lock. a few pins bind.

But what then? I mean if I rake a lock and a pin close at the opening of the lock that is long/high binds, I will never be able to bind any pin that is behind that allready binded pin. At least not by raking..

So How is it possible to rake all the pins? Seems to me that allready binded pins will always be in the way..

[Dosk3n]

well raking doesnt allways work on all locks but hers a bit from the book easy pickings;

insert your rake, gently glide the rake back and forth with slight torque on the tension wrench. Allways make sure the top knots on the rake are barely touching the bottom pin assemblies on the lock. As each pin hits thebshear line the tension wrench will move ever so slightly. when all the pins line up hey presto it open.

Also theres enother style called snapping when you put the rake in to the end pull it out really fast which nocks all the pins causing a shear line in the same way a pick gun would and you quickly add torque on the wrench and the lock will open.

[marso]

Raking works because there is such poor tolarance in some locks. Basically the shaft is so much bigger than the pins diameter.

When you rake you are either pushing the pins up really fast or they are bouncing up from the chain reaction. Some people describe it as if you were using a snap gun but with normal tools. Also since (say) the middle pin binds, when you rake you glide along the pins and even though the middle pin is not going anywhere your pick slides past it. This is also where the importance of the torque wrench comes in, you should play with the pressure hopefully unbinding the pins that are causing you grief. This is really alot of luck, that is why I like single pin picking.

I have never really thought about it myself it just either works or it doesn't. I have also read a few times where people mention you rake the lock a few times and then pick the binding pins.

Sorry I have not quoted any reference, it is late and figured I should reply. Also I am far from an expert so please verify my ramble above yourself.