ARCHIVE 2003-2013 Introduce yourself HERE if you are new. :)

[jeschofnik]

hi,

My name is Philipp and i come from Austria.
I'm interestet in lockpicking for about 1 year, because i've found some interesting pages in the internet.

bye

[daveinaus]

Howdy. I'm glad I found this site, enough information to keep me reading for a month!
A couple months ago a friend of mine at work bought a cheap set of lockpicks off craigslist, but no one could open a simple 3 pin cabinet lock. I opened it, another simple lock on my toolbox, and an old 5 pin deadbolt that was laying around the shop. Then I opened a master lock. I am on the recieving end of jokes for this ability, but I am hooked. I printed out some templates from this great site, and now I have a project. Nothing is more satisfying than seeing that tumbler turn, except maybe catching a big fish!

[Romstar]

Welcome to the forums.

Haven't fished in a coon's age, but I'l tell you if you grind out your own picks and get good with those, its almost the same feeling.

Nothing qute like it.

Romstar

[UWSDWF]

Welcome everybody,
For all thoes new to the site and lockpicking, LP101 is a great place to start.
Take a look at the new users section, first and don't be afraid to ask any questions just remember to try a search before posting.

If you're looking for locks to pick, buy some but, DO NOT PICK LOCKS YOU RELY ON
I repeat DO NOT PICK LOCKS YOU RELY ON, they can and will break, then your house/car/safe/chasity belt is vulnerable or unable to be opened (think: emergency situation).

Cheers,
UWSDWF

[DFuzzy1]

Howdy. I found out about this place after joining the local Locksport International chapter at my university. Being the excited newbie that I am, I went down to the store in my dorm and bought a Masterlock 22D. But after reading the LSI Guide, I still can't make any progress. I can't apply tension to the plug because the hole is too big, and I can't feel the pins at all. Any advice?

[daveinaus]

I just did a quick google on masterlock 22d, And it is a warded padlock. I'm just a damp n00b, but I'm sure you could find info with the search feature on this site. Good Luck! I wanna try one now. I don't think warded locks have pins.

[jmac875]

Welcome all,

I hope you are all enjoying the site as much as I do. Just remember two things:

1) Search for answers before posting a question. But do not ever be afraid to ask one.
2) Only pick your own locks, and not the one's you rely on (front door, car door, safe).

Here are some helpful links to information you need to know and want to know:

New Users start here--
viewtopic.php?t=10528

Product Review thread- Good when deciding what picks or tools to get.--
viewtopic.php?t=13082

Test thread- If you’re not sure how to post or you are trying out a new signature tag. Post here first--
viewtopic.php?t=1065

If you are thinking of posting digital pictures Review this first--
viewtopic.php?t=10367

My favorite, DB's list of LP101 tutorials with links--

viewtopic.php?t=10715


Thanks and remember pick responsibly,

Dfuzzy,

Being the excited newbie that I am, I went down to the store in my dorm and bought a Masterlock 22D. But after reading the LSI Guide, I still can't make any progress. I can't apply tension to the plug because the hole is too big, and I can't feel the pins at all. Any advice?

This is indeed a warded pad lock. These do not have pins where you can pick them using a standard pick set. There are wire picks that are made special for this.
My suggestion is to pick up a pad lock with a key that looks like a small house key, this is the type of pad lock that has pins.

[MDouglas]

Hello All,

I'm new to the group and looking forward to learning.

[amilo]

just joined still browsing site looks pretty interesting based in uk hopefully should get a chance to help once ive had a good scout around

[circuitbreakr]

Im a noob to this, but my facination with cryptics, safes, and this sight should serve me well. Hello All!

[shdwdrgn]

I started practicing after finding the MIT document during a really boring day at work. Picking the desk drawers with nothing more than a couple of paper clips, I got hooked. My interest has been renewed this week, and I started doing some serious searches for information. Ran across the templates on this site, and have been cutting my own picks this week (have 7 made so far).

jmac875 -- to your list, I would also like to add this thread:
http://www.lockpicking101.com/viewtopic.php?t=1479
which describes what many of the common picks are used for. I had no idea that the rake (snake?) would be so useful, but I cut one today and can open up one of my Masterlocks in under 10 seconds with it.

[firehawk8401]

hi im new here and to lock picking. and a round of drinks to every one. i tried to download the vid on how to make a pic set but winzip encountered an error. can any one help me i have some idea on how to make them being a tool and die maker by trade but the actual shapes i dont know. i just need a guiding hand to help me get started. i am of limited means right now so i am using the windshield wiper insert method that was what my buddy told me he showed me his pic set which were also made of the inserts. just a little help please to point me in the right direction thankz

[Ade]

Hello all, and thanks for the great site.

My name is Andy, and I live in the southeastern U.S. (I hope that that is vague enough for you..: ). I am not a locksmith, nor do I own even one lockpick, nor have I ever picked a lock...but locks and picking them have always fascinated me, and thanks to the info I have gleaned here, I plan on rectifying both of those as soon as possible.

I plan, for the most part, to be a read only member of this forum. In part because I currently have nothing substantive to offer, and also because there is so much interesting information to read. I did, however, feel that I should at the very least introduce myself and thank the forum for what I have already learned and hope to continue to learn.

Regards,

Andy

[tsharky87]

Hey! Love the site. The people on here seem really active, helpful, and generous. I'm very impressed with everything here, and its just nice to have a place for people like us to get together and talk about locks!

Only one thing I think you could improve: the search engine for the forums is frankly really bad. Its just unnecessarily hard to find a good thread for what you're looking for. Being so used to Google's search engine maybe I'm just spoiled, but I definitely think a little improvement there would help a lot.

[Petahpie]

hey guys. My name is Peter and I live in kentucky. I have never picked a lock but I'd really like to start and I figured this was the place to go. I found this site after seeing a (almost totally unrelated educational) video at school where a team of people are showing the flaws with certain voting machines. one of the guys on the team picked the lock that held the memory card with the votes on it, replaced the card with another and put the lock back on so quickly...I was in awe. came home, googled lockpicking, and found this site. my only problem has been that every time I tell someone that I found a new hobby (lockpicking), they tell me that lockpicking is just a way for people to break into places and steal stuff...I've tried to explain that it's just a hobby and there is a strict ethic but no one has believed me except my brother...oh well. Anyway, I think I'll be around for a while so ttyl.
Peter