Door locks vs Padlocks

[runnynose]

For some reason I'm having trouble picking door locks, but last night i just picked a monster padlock. it was one of those padlocks that weighed about 10 pounds, covered in some thick plastic carbonite with some metal impurity that made it impossible to cut through with a bolt cutter. what im getting at is...how come if i spend enough time on a padlock it will open, but doors just wont open for me. im varying tension on a regular basis on the same lock. i guess i practice alot, alot alot, alot on padlocks and only a little on doors...could this be my problem or does it take more skill to get door locks and deadbolts?

[lockpickroy]

you need more ternsion on padlocks then you do on dead bolts and doorknobs try less tension. see if you can find a cheep new or used deadbolt and doorknob to pratice on. personaly for me when i first started picking : a cheep deadbolt and doorknob was easer to open then say a master padlock (but they were masterkeyed ) so it makes them easyer

[UnLock]

Hi runnynose,

Definitely play around with your tension as lockpickroy mentioned. On padlocks (some not all), I need to use firmer tension while on deadbolts I have to use the slightest tension. Of course, depending on the type of deadbolt and age, you will have to adjust your tension slightly. I have one older deadbolt that is hard to turn so I needed to apply more tension to it. If you go and buy a new deadbolt, I 've found you'll only need to apply very light tension as everything moves freely and smooth. Now I need to mention that just because a deadbolt is new, doesn't mean you'll be able to open it no problem. Depending on the lock, some have spools, mushroom or serrated pins which will definitely make it much harder to practice on.

I'm just a beginner as well and I really like practicing on new deadbolts as they are easier (for me anyways) to open. Of course I'm using a Kwikset so that'll make a difference as well. I also have a Yale which I've tried but can't open it yet. I read that Yale tends to put spool pins in the 2 and 4 position. I'll practice on that one at a later time when I remove some pins to make practicing easier

Best of luck to you with deadbolts. Just remember...practice and keep practicing.

[CitySpider]

The largest, most hardcore looking padlock I own can be picked by a first timer in less than ten seconds, consistently.

Just something to think about.

[quicklocks]

[seahawk]

^^

[TOWCH]

My master number 5 commercial is a fairly large lock and is one of my easiest.

[lajos]

I never icked a padlock in my life. I have tried 2 or 3 padlocks, but never succeedeed.
(acutally, a friend of mine at college showed me how to open almost any of those padlock of approx 2 cm, the tiny ones - he just used a key and jiggled the key inside the lock while pulling it out - I didn't know lockpicking at the time and thought it was pretty cool).

Maybe I need more tension? Or smaller tools.

For door locks, I have seriously revised my tension downwards. A lot. I realised that a fraction of tension on a lock I couldn't open made wonders. Now I pick it raking in 2 seconds. The tension is so small I almost feel I am not applying any. Try it, you might be surprised.
L.

[Gaian]

My master number 5 commercial is a fairly large lock and is one of my easiest.

I'll second that. First time I tried my No5 it took about 15 seconds, having not picked anything before

[skold]

i generally always have a padlock in my school bag, just incase a teacher sends me out - i get to pick a lock in timeout

i barely ever pick dead bolts or door fitted locks, i have numerous padlocks that i pick and they are more portable, i find i need a small amount of torque while picking a padlock, its no different for me with the deadbolts and key in knobs