1st time poster intro and question!

[majkowskid]

hello! first time posting, and i wanted to introduce myself. My name is daniel, and i live in san angelo tx. currently in the IT field and have a fascination with picking locks. just got into it this week, and came by a southord mpxs-11 kit at a local tool store for 4$! so, away i go!

for the past couple of days, i've practiced what i think is called "SSP" (individual pin picking) on a coupel of small locks, like suitcase locks, then moving up to some old 3 pin file cabinet locks. i can get those pretty good. sometimes it takes me a little while though. i've read some of the informational posts (newbie posts) and followed them trying to learn about tension, and binding pins, etc. this is harder than i though!

my question is, right now, i'm on my first lock... i don't have a door i want to try on, so i'm trying to pick a little padlock. it's a 5 pin (judging by feel) and i can't get this thing for the life of me! it's an older lock that i used when i joined the military 6 years ago. it was issued to us to secure our personal lockers. it's an American Lock Company USA lock, and it appears to be made out of solid brass. anyone have any info on these kinds of locks? for the life of me, i can't open it! is this one of the locks i've read about with the special pins that make it harder to pick?

i would appreciate any info you guys (and gals) can provide!

daniel

[codingsama]

American padlocks are generally considered to be very tough to pick. It can be done, of course, but they're bad for a newbie.

[Bud Wiser]

Hello and welcome!

You were able to find a store that sells picks? Good for you! Of course in Texas you can probably still buy guns at convenient stores too

Yes those American lock co. locks can be tough, not good lock for a beginner to start on. Just go in to one of those dollar stores. Dollar General, Dollar Tree, etc., and buy a cheap lock.

Also a good place to start is CLICK HERE!

[pinsetter]

And to answer your question about the special pins, yes, that American lock will be full of both serrated pins and serrated spool pins. As the other guys have stated, it is not a good beginner lock at all. Americans are notorious for giving even seasoned pickers a hard way to go.

[bumpit]

Dollar General, Dollar Tree, etc., and buy a cheap lock

Not too cheap though. I went the other day to the $ store and picked the lock I bought first try. I then opened it next with just tension no pick. Then it broke becuase I was mad

[majkowskid]

thanks for the replies guys... (and gals if any)
i kinda figured this lock was tough. after a week now, i can pick most any desk lock, toolbox lock (3 pins) and i even successfully picked my home door lock 2 times out of 6 attempts. but man, this american lock is (was, i threw it in the toolbox) frustrating me! i could get all the pins to feel like they're set, but it wouldn't turn... i figured they're false sets.

anyways, i'm going to pick up some cheapo locks at the dollar store and home depot... i'm kinda addicted to this!

my full time job i'm a system administrator for general dynamics... i have a lot of idle time here at work, and i'm constantly fooling with locks here now! everyone thinks i'm nuts

will keep you all updated... does anyone have any books or videos they'd want to pass on to an addict? with twins at home, i don't have the $ to shell out for the books on the net. i would like something i can read or watch in my spare time, which is very hard to come by nowadays.

thanks!

[seed]

go to google videos and search lockpicking...that kept me entertained for like an hour

[Circus_Ninja]

picked with no pick. lmao.

at school, guys were breaking into classes with the good 'ol plastic card between the door and frame, so they replaced all the locks to have a little groove in them (so that the card cant slide) but they can be opened with no pink too...

now people take a piece of metal and turn the lock open lol.

[Shrub]

Circus ninja although you do, we dont find that sort of thing funny, stay on the right side of the law and we will help you but if you are doing such things then your not welcome,
We teach anyone how to pick locks here but if your wanting to learn for those reasons your a lost cause,


Ps, im not infering you are and im sure you will say your not wheather you are or not, jusat take it as a friendly warning