Walk a newbie through picking a Standard 3 PPC

[joat]

I obtained a standard 3 Pinned Practice Cylinder, with a similiar mount as this: http://www.lockpickshop.com/p-Lockpick- ... -plus.html (I'm using the exact same 3 PPC list on that website.)

So, walk me through my first 3 PPC pick!


I can rake the lock in 10-30 seconds, with almost any tool. Now... picking is a completely different story. I've been trying the first cylinder first, then going to the 2nd, but no matter how much tension I put on the tension wrench I can't get the 2nd one set in that order... I've tried the 2nd one first and I have the same problem, but this time the problem is getting the 1st one set.

Any tutorials floating around or someone care to share some tips with me? I'm sure it's best to start with the last one, but I just can't manage to "feel" it click in if I do it that way, I am only going by my eyes so far...

Any advice?

[joat]

I should also add that I think my problem might have more to do with the tension wrench. It seems I can get the first or second set and jammed up, but then when I move to the next one the amount of tension I have to put is just way too much and releases the first one set... Hopefully someone remembers their newb days and can guide me through this.

[jordyh]

I know this sounds rather harsh, but it's all practice.
Try to bounce your tension a bit.

Good luck.

Yours,

Jordy

[joat]

Yah, I know, just looking for any general tips I can get.

In general, do I want to increase the tension each cylinder that I force above the line, or do I want to keep the same tension throughout and just be applying more pressure on each cylinder to get all the cylinders up? (should it be physically harder to push up each remaining cylinder?)

[jordyh]

Try to get a constant tension for all the pins.
the pins that are setting feel different, slightly harder to push up, as if it's scraping the side of teh chamber.

Yours,

Jordy

[jordyh]

teh > the

[EOD]

From your posts I'm going to assume that you haven't gotten around to reading the MIT guide yet, it'll probably answer all the questions you have, so here's varjeal's post with links to it MIT Guide

To go along with jorydh's reply, I'd say start by just using your pick to push up on all the pins, once you can tell what they feel like normally, it's easy to determine which one binds.

I'd also suggest you introduce yourself and all that.

Hope that helps.

[pinsetter]

you're looking for just the precise amount of pressure to slightly bind the pins as you pick them. When one pin sets, you'll feel a very slight relief in the plug. The plug will move slightly and you'll have to adjust the tension to pick the next pin. What you're looking to do is find the pin that is binding the most and pick it first, then find the next one that is binding harder than the others and pick it next. Each time a pin sets, the plug will turn a slight bit. Just remember, that your tension adjustment is going to be a very tiny amount, if any. You don't want to apply so much pressure that you're having to struggle to push the pins up. It really is a delicate pressure that gets the job done on most locks. AND, the most common newbie mistake is applying too much pressure to the plug and I'm certain from what you've described that is likely what is happening.

Also, as a side note, a pin that you think may not be setting correctly might have a cut that requires very little if any movement to set. Some pins actually set with just a tiny nudge. Sometimes pins like this can be intentionally over extended (pressed into the cylinder too far) until all the other pins are set and then let back down by releasing tension very slowly until you hear one faint click. As soon as you hear the click, re-apply tension and see if the lock will open. I've opened several tricky locks with this method.

[joat]

Great info, thanks guys. I will take all your advice.