How long till I achive a black belt at Pick-Fu???

[JoeLansing]

If I spend 30 mins a day picking stuff that is a challenge, no raking, just trying to feel pins setting. Will spending 60 mins a day make a huge difference? It's easy to get burned out on a picking session when you don't open anything, so I want to start slow and easy. I want to have some ability in maybe 6 months. Is that a realistic goal? I started a couple days ago and can rake easy stuff easy. Pick easy stuff rarely but once in a while I'm God. I think in a month I'll have my 4 pin quickset to where it's easy, maybe even if I swap the pins around. My 5 pin Yale might also be consistant pickable in a couple mins by then if I'm lucky. So is 6 months a realistic time to have fair to good pick fu skills?

- Joe

[Bud Wiser]

If I spend 30 mins a day picking stuff that is a challenge, no raking, just trying to feel pins setting. Will spending 60 mins a day make a huge difference? It's easy to get burned out on a picking session when you don't open anything, so I want to start slow and easy. I want to have some ability in maybe 6 months. Is that a realistic goal? I started a couple days ago and can rake easy stuff easy. Pick easy stuff rarely but once in a while I'm God. I think in a month I'll have my 4 pin quickset to where it's easy, maybe even if I swap the pins around. My 5 pin Yale might also be consistant pickable in a couple mins by then if I'm lucky. So is 6 months a realistic time to have fair to good pick fu skills?

- Joe

Joe, don't let the number of my posts fool you, I'm creeping up to 3 months is all.

But I probably do practice a lot more then most noobs simply because I am at my computer a lot and that's when I pick too. For me in the beginning it became a obsession, I couldn't stop! So I forced myself to slow down because it was interfering with my real work that pays my bills!

Just have some easy locks around for moral boosters when you need them

I'm up to spools, mushroom and serrated pins now. I don't think I'm great or even very good compared to the regulars here but am satisfied with the progress I have made. My stupid schlage still gives me trouble and that has no security pins in it!

I think 6 months is a very realistic goal and I think you will actually be surprised at your own progress too!

The thing that helped me the most is realizing how important the right amount of tension is, and trying different tension wrenches too!

Good Luck!

Jim

[stonedsmurf]

There will always be locks you can't pick. But, 6 months, half an hour a day.... I think you'll be able to pick through common locks fairly quickly.

[Krypos]

i myself wouldnt look at it in terms of how much do i have to practice, i look at it in terms of, how much time have i got to pick this lock? just enjoy the hobby, and get into it, and before you know it, you will be picking everywhere and all the time. people will think you are playing with yourself under the table, but really you are picking....happened to me.....

dont force it, if you enjoy it, it WILL be better, and i think you will find that you progress faster.

and oh- as bud said, dont let post count fool ya, i ahve over 1000 posts, but i havent even made it into the advanced section yet, as i havent proven myself enough, or something, however, i DO know what im talking about, despite what a few regulars might say.......

[What]

If I spend 30 mins a day picking stuff that is a challenge, no raking, just trying to feel pins setting. Will spending 60 mins a day make a huge difference? It's easy to get burned out on a picking session when you don't open anything, so I want to start slow and easy. I want to have some ability in maybe 6 months. Is that a realistic goal? I started a couple days ago and can rake easy stuff easy. Pick easy stuff rarely but once in a while I'm God. I think in a month I'll have my 4 pin quickset to where it's easy, maybe even if I swap the pins around. My 5 pin Yale might also be consistant pickable in a couple mins by then if I'm lucky. So is 6 months a realistic time to have fair to good pick fu skills?

- Joe

the learning curve is a lot like learning to ride a bike, some ppl get it and just start riding, others need to be helped along for a bit then take off, and then the others they try and then give up, and end up further back then when they started.

with lockpicking, you will experience lots of bursts in ability. so i am going to put you at the second kind of person, you really seem to get it, but need some help to really take off.

[Shrub]

When you stoip wondering how long its goign to take to become good and start wondering how to pick a certain lock or how quick you can pick a lock then your halfway there

Theres people who practise all day and every day and still cant pick a lock its down to haw you conduct yourself and how good you are at understanding what your doing,

If you are able to single pin pick then its just a case of playing with more and more dificult locks until you meet the one that cant be done, then simply work on that until its cracked then you find another one that becomes your new 'nemisis'

Not everyone gets there and most give up throguh bordom of meeting that wall but your int he right place to learn and with dedication theres no reason you shouldnt end up the new champion of the worrrrld,

[btierney]

I think I am a bit like Bud Wiser. I started SPP about 2 weeks ago and just can't stop. I probably pick 4+ hours a day. I might have to slow down too.

I try to concentrate and pick some harder locks, and then just watch TV or something while picking some easier locks. You might give that a try. As long as you're having fun...

[pip]

So is 6 months a realistic time to have fair to good pick fu skills?

ah Grasshopper....

with one eye already on the destination

you only have one eye with which to make the journey


set reasonable daily goals

[LockNewbie21]

Crap i think i got better at making picks than pciking .. but after almost a year now I am confident... then medeco's just gimme a six pack a lawn chair and some peter frampton and i will get it in ahwile.. hour day month year.. somehwere in there

Try not to think of it as mastering becuase with new locks new concepts its impossible like computers my dad started with a dos class, now has to keep going back when encryptions and protocals and all the muckity muck advances.


Just sit learn and have a good time, I must say it was a great rewarding hobby for me.. then a nice class to take.. now an enjoyable and good feeling to help people locked out, the diplomas nifty to:O). Keep at it buddy

[shaizer]

It take me 2 days + making my lockpicks to start opening almost all locks in my home / except that nasty KALE dimple , that can be bumped , but i do not like the whole bump thing - there is no fun in it / I guess EU locks are easy to open or i do not know ... But it's all about practice and the right amount of tension - that's most important too much tension and you are not opening nothing

[LockNewbie21]

Ahh Dimple Picks... I have made a few.. but still working on a set.. ohh there going to be nice

[unbreakable]

Like someone else said, try to set realistic day by day goals.

When I got all of my industrial locks, I had to make up an excel spreadsheeet with day to day goals on it, complete with little boxes for checkmarks for when I opened a particular lock.

It's a great way to do it I find.

Here's a blank one.

[paul1982]

I'm Terrible even sitting here reading through threads im picking, and when it's quiet and im in my van i'm picking with my CB pick or picking pin tumblers.
I have also been known on occasions to practice whilst lying in bed as i find im more relaxed and my senses are that little bit sharper.
Just practice at your own pace, your take it in and remember it a lot easier

[PolishSumgai]

When I first started picking locks ( 1977 ) an old timer passed along this hint.

Wear a ski cap / navy watch cap and pull it down over your eyes - then all your energy and concentration is on the feel and not on sight.

When ever I sat down & some times riding in a car while my wife drove I used the "hat" method .

It's stands to reason it should work, it did for me, also lets you listen more intently while you are picking.

Practice is the whole secret.

[stilte]

Get rekeyable padlocks that let you move up, increasing the number of pins slowly.

Lock picking has become almost an obsession, I just keep feeling the urge to stick a pick into my locks.