Why is it harder to pick a deadbolt when the door is closed

[martinnn]

I can pick my deadbolt at home when i have the door open in under 10 min, But when i lock myself out the job seems to be twice as had.Why is that??

[mrdan]

Murphy's Law

[Romstar]

There are a number of reasons, but I am willing to bet it boils down to one of the following two.

1. Your position changes when you stand in front of the door, and you can't pick as easily.

2. The bolt is thrown, and is exerting pressure on the tail cam of the cylinder. This would mean that you can't get the same feel from the lock as when it is at rest.

Another possibility that relates to #2 is that the picking is already done, you just haven't noticed because of the extra force required to move the bolt.

That pretty much covers it.
Romstar

[raimundo]

its psycological pressure, same thing happens when you have a critic who won't shut up about their expectations not being met and how its faster in the movies.

[UWSDWF]

did anyone mention don't pick locks you rely on?

[mrdan]

its psycological pressure, same thing happens when you have a critic who won't shut up about their expectations not being met and how its faster in the movies.

That happens all the frickin' time. And not just locks, I always say that I HATE going to an install at someone who was a tradesman or a contractor. It's always "I would have done this. . . or you should'a done that. . . or why did you do or not do the other? ? ? I mean, I don't mind questions if they are curious, I just can't stand people who either want to tell you how or how not to do your job, or look like they are looking for things you do wrong. With those people the moment I relish most is the look on their faces when I whip out the 6 foot drill bit and start looking at the nice waynes coating or high gloss white wall.

[rohi]

did anyone mention don't pick locks you rely on?

Yes, you just did.

That happens all the frickin' time. And not just locks, I always say that I HATE going to an install at someone who was a tradesman or a contractor. It's always "I would have done this. . . or you should'a done that. . . or why did you do or not do the other? ? ? I mean, I don't mind questions if they are curious, I just can't stand people who either want to tell you how or how not to do your job, or look like they are looking for things you do wrong.

This has happend to me several times, when installing doors.
After asking two times to just watch and stop the commenting, i just left the house with the door standing loose to the wall in the hallway.
After some 30 minutes they called what is going on. I told them i was going to finish only if they stayed aways for the time i needed to wrap it up and finish the job.

The people didn't like it to much, but i did get the chance to finish and by the time i did, he even apoligised for being so nosey and talkative.
(not sure about terminology, but you'll guess what i mean)

So, in my experience, if you tell people you would rather finish the job without them hanging around to much, they'll leave you be untill you do so.

Ronald

[Kaotik]

It could also be that there is a foam strip around the door jamb to help seal it. Try pushing in on the door to break the contact from the bolt to the plate mounted on the door jamb, then pick.

If it is a lock you rely on, replace it with a practice dead bolt then try.

[burchlockkey]

did anyone mention don't pick locks you rely on?

Yes, you just did.

That happens all the frickin' time. And not just locks, I always say that I HATE going to an install at someone who was a tradesman or a contractor. It's always "I would have done this. . . or you should'a done that. . . or why did you do or not do the other? ? ? I mean, I don't mind questions if they are curious, I just can't stand people who either want to tell you how or how not to do your job, or look like they are looking for things you do wrong.

This has happend to me several times, when installing doors.
After asking two times to just watch and stop the commenting, i just left the house with the door standing loose to the wall in the hallway.
After some 30 minutes they called what is going on. I told them i was going to finish only if they stayed aways for the time i needed to wrap it up and finish the job.

The people didn't like it to much, but i did get the chance to finish and by the time i did, he even apoligised for being so nosey and talkative.
(not sure about terminology, but you'll guess what i mean)

So, in my experience, if you tell people you would rather finish the job without them hanging around to much, they'll leave you be untill you do so.

Ronald

I just add a 10% supervision fee to the bill and when they ask what that is for, I tell them it is for me putting up with their crap the whole time I was trying to do what I do best while being hassled, harassed, corrected, belittled, laughed at, etc.