Just checking before going ahead.

by **Irish Joe** » 9 Apr 2006 20:11

ok after a bit of deliberation and reading into lots of advice and things I have decided for reasons of budget and the fact that I want to just *try* this whole type of thing out first to go for this set;

http://www.devonlocks.com/html/media/bi ... -801-l.jpg

it has 3 hooks which seem to be the most widely used and it has 2 tension tools. after p&p and everything else it should cost me just under 35 euro. Also the next set is considerably more expensive and I doubt I would really need all those tools at once.

'm pretty sure it will be alright but I just want to know am I making any really big ultra n00b type mistake so I would appreciate some feedback from the lerned newbs.

If I'm not I will be a 'picker in about 2 weeks !

by **CPLP** » 9 Apr 2006 20:35

It's a nice set but I thing you shoul start by making your own picks. Just till you get the required touch for picking locks. :wink:

by **clayton1123** » 9 Apr 2006 23:47

Thats what I did and I think it's a good way to start out incase you decide to give up on your hobby. Other then that it may be cheaper to buy picks individually from Southord.com

cheers

by **Shrub** » 10 Apr 2006 7:10

If you can afford them always buy your picks for the first time then you know youve got the right tools for the job, making your own from day one is always going to be on your mind thats the reason you cant pick the lock.

Buy them and then think about making additional ones after youve picked a few locks.

by **Irish Joe** » 10 Apr 2006 22:16

I agree with Shrub which is why I want to get a set. I beleive that a workman is only as good as his tools (and a good workman wont use bad tools!)

by **Shrub** » 11 Apr 2006 8:41

The link doesnt work as you cant directaly link to that site but basically the cheaper smaller sets of the South Ords are fine, you need a good selection of tools, if you can go for the 20+ tool set but if not the 15 piece set is fine.

Its a bad workman never blames his tools which is true, if youve made somthing from no knowledge though its very easy to that so go for it, youll be ok, the simple cheap sets are all much the same so youll be pretty much ok whatever you plumb for, go for price on a beginer set then you can expand if and when you decide you like the sport :wink:

by **Irish Joe** » 11 Apr 2006 19:51

Thanks for the green light, though would consider this more ofa hobby tan a sport... then again ches is a sport... :?:

by **Shrub** » 11 Apr 2006 19:57

Yes good point, this can also be a job and is for some of us so i guess some things are just both.

Good luck and dont blame me if things arent to your likin gwhen you get them, im only offering advice

You will be fine though :wink:

by **pretender** » 11 Apr 2006 21:47

i'd make 'em. and did. after buying a southord set. the finest in lockpicking tools, surely.. :twisted:

last i saw of the southord set was an ex g/f using a deep hook to clean her nails.

i'll disagree with "was it the tool's fault?" hypothesis offered.

for me, it was more ", this thing is CLUNKY...i'm getting a little tired of this crap!"

repeatedly. over and over and over again.

so - i quit bothering altogether. bought some hacksaw blades, looked at the available blueprints and photos of existing picks, and improvised my own.

it ain't arrogant bragging - thing is, when i had to actually MAKE them, and approximate a little, and think about everything involved, i really understood the locks a lot better.

i looked at the keying on the ring i carry around, i thought about the probabilities of this or that working...and it quit being "stuff thinger into lock, pray a lot, assume i know how to do it based on text, pray more..."

you really learn how to work on that scale, i think. "i have to cut this deep into it and only that much" is pretty indicative of what pin tumblers 'expect' in terms of wanton abuse, y'know.

buy a cheap set. go southord or something. get some locks. when you get tired of it all, *then* experiment. in my experience, though - every *good* lockpicker i know of usually ends up making their own stuff and leaves what they started with in a closet or a toolbox.

it isn't nearly as hard to make a pick as it is to use it. and it's a lot cheaper...and if you somehow manage to screw up, hey, it cost you 15 minutes and 40 cents of cash (american).

best of luck.

by **raimundo** » 12 Apr 2006 9:03

If making your own picks, look at a common key, determine the deepest cuts. your pick should not be deeper than this and can be less deep. keys fit exactly, but picks should be between the extremes and have the ablility to move a lot in the keyway.

by **Shrub** » 12 Apr 2006 11:41

Pretender, reading your post it says at the start that you dont agree with me then at the end that you do, which is it?

For the price of a basic set of picks theres no real alternitive if you have the cash, you start off knowing you have tools that can pick the lock without days thinking about things you dont actually know about.

Its easy to say you just think what needs to be done then do it but not everyone is that way minded, i can problem solve with the best of them but when it comes to a bit of fun the best fun can be had without having to think.

Learning how to pick by making picks isnt going to wash with me, knowing you have the correct tools and then repinning a lock is far far better in my and a lot of other peoples opinion so i guess we will have to agree to disagree if thats what you was doing.

by **Raccoon** » 12 Apr 2006 12:02

I'd like to point out that a pickset consisting of 3 hooks and 2 tension wrenches for 35 euros is extremely expensive. You shouldn't pay more than US$1.50 per pick for an economy (and still very good) pickset.

Check out the prices at www.lockpicktools.com/lockpicks.htm

by **illusion** » 12 Apr 2006 12:05

i'd make 'em. and did. after buying a southord set. the finest in lockpicking tools, surely..

Dude, what are you on?

Southord makes a set of basic pick shapes that will be pretty similar to any other commercial set out there. They might be rough, but a small amount of time with some fine sandpaper got them nice and smooth. I used the simple 9 piece set from Southord for a long time, and only recently opted for the Falle Safe pick set because I got a good deal on them.

Maybe the knowledge that you are picking with tools you have made gives you more drive to learn, I couldn't say.

I'm inclined to agree with Shrub, that a commercial set of picks is the best bet for a beginer.

by **Raccoon** » 12 Apr 2006 12:09

Btw: I paid under US$35 for a set of 16 lockpicks and 6 tension wrenches, including case. Considering the euro is worth more than the dollar, you're spending nearly US$50 for 3 simple picks and 2 tension wrenches? Even Roy's Bogotas aren't that expensive!

by **Shrub** » 12 Apr 2006 13:03

Whos roy and what bogotas?

Well the link provided didnt work for me as i said in my first post, if thats the cost and amount of tools you get then yes its over priced, you can get SO basic sets a lot cheaper than that.

Are you in Wales or Ireland? its a bit of a differance between the two, either way i can get a 13 piece set made by magestic from my supplier for Â£16, with Â£2ish delivery to your door thats not a lot of money for 9 picks, 2 wrenches and a extractor, look for a simular priced item and you may very well get a SO one a little cheaper.

Just checking before going ahead.

Just checking before going ahead.

making your own,

Who is online