My humble little pickset.

[rescueguy]

I learned all i know about lockpicking from my grandad in the summer of 1976 at the tender age of 14, I have always used allen wrenches and do appreciate the fresh ideas on this subject.



Thanks.

Tracy

[kodierer]

Cool if they work for you.
I wouldn't want to pick with them though.
How long did making those take you?

[rescueguy]

LOL

If you get use to pounding in nails with rocks, Rocks are a hammer!

I never had more than a tension arm, a diamond point and a rake untill katrina, I work as a high voltage lineman and went south to make emergency repairs on the electrical grid.

After I picked my way into several substations and other switchgear I was a local? I did a lot!!!

Most of this set was ground during the fall of 2005 in new orleans and mississippi.

My local EOC agrees that picking a lock is much cheaper than kicking in a door.

I am a FEMA radilogical first responder, I do haz mat, High voltage and am a CERT team member.

YEP! There is a better way. Next time i walk into a katrina I want a better set.

I need to learn a whole lot more about those wavy rakes?

I am here to learn, Call me grasshopper.

Tracy

[jmac875]

Rescueguy,
Typically the Mods and other members of this site will tell you first thing, search for the information you are looking for, and Never pick the locks you rely upon. They also will not work with you if you are picking locks that do not belong to you.

In your case they might make an exception, as you do work in an emergency response situation, but do not quote me, you will have to wait for a Mod to post to this thread.

As for Picks, do a search for South Ord, or Southern ordinance. There are a number of sites that carry this brand of pick, and there are a bunch of reviews on LP101 that will help you to better decide what type of pick set would meet your needs. It sounds like you have been using the basic styles for a number of years, but never had a commercial set. I personally like the South Ord MPXS-20. It has all of the basic picks, a number of styles of hook, and a couple of rakes.

If you like, do a search for a member named Raimundo. He makes matched sets of picks out of street sweeper bristles that are works of art, and pick better then any commercial pick that I have.

Just keep in mind, if you want to start using the "snake rake" style of pick, it is a different technique. When using a rake, you want to apply light tension with the wrench, and slide the rake all the way into the lock, then pull the rake out of the lock, quickly, striking the pins as you go. Try varying how hard you press up with the rake, and some people vary the tension on the wrench between rakes. A rake will quickly open a lock that has pins set to similar depths. A good technique is to rake the lock first, setting the easy pins quickly, then go in with a hook or half diamond and pick the remainder of the pins.

I am rather new to the site here, but try and provide as much info as possible.

Remember Search is your friend on LP101

[zeke79]

I would say that being a lineman and being sent to do the job at hand it was justified.... If it was either pick the lock or kick the door in and he had permission to do either from the company, it's on the up and up with me.

[rescueguy]

I think my ethics are correct?

I can always access the universal key. (5 foot long bolt cutters)

Some of my personal goal is to be able to get folks that deal with real emergencys, To have the skills to put the same locks back on the equipment that they have just repaired.

I can cut the lock and put a new lock in its place, the original crew will cut my lock and replace it with there lock? It dont make any sense to me?

Like i have said. Call me grasshopper.

I am here to learn.

I have never used my skill to commit a crime. If i can turn on 1000 homes i am getting in, No Matter what?

Tracy

[jmac875]

Rescueguy,
I was not questioning your ethics. I am not a Mod on this site, and do not have a right to make the call on weather or not what you are doing is allowed to be posted.
I agree, you are doing great work out there, that is why I posted what I could to help.


Keep up the good work, and if you need anymore help let me know and I will provide what information I can.

Thanks,

[dmux]

heres my humble pickset

[nezumi]

I have to admit, I'm impressed. Awesome pickset.

It occurs to me that if your concern is speed and not the fun of picking (or the ability to pick a diverse number of locks), a pick gun might be easiest. It'll be more pricey, but a single pick gun is far cheaper than dozens of kicked in doors.

[dmux]

no, speed is not an issue, i just like trying all the tools of the trade and have a variety

[rescueguy]

Dmux awsom SET. I just ordered my first set from south ord, Its 4 picks and a tension arm for $14.00. Been looking at the 36 piece set for $79.00, Maby in january.

My local emergency coordinator is impressed, He is a retired state cop, He is the one that suggested i get my locksmithing certification so that it can go into my FEMA file. I am thinking of doing the folley-belsaw course after the first of the year.

I am not thinking of becoming a locksmith for a living just yet. But its a handy skill for emergencys and disasters.

I make about $30.00 an hour as a lineman, but its dangerious. Locksmithing may become a fallback career thought. I have to learn more.

Thanks.

[jmac875]

Rescueguy,
I also have been thinking about the Foley-Belsaw course. I currently am a regional IT supervisor, but have been working with alot of network security lately. I used to reposes cars a long while back, which is what got me into lock picking. But I am looking at locksmithing as a hobby now, and maybe a fall back career. If you so a search for the course you will find a thread with a packet by packet review done by a few guys.

Good luck with everything.

[axman92]

those are awsome! they look like they would have taked awhile to make though.