Practice Locks (Mid-Adavnced level)

[BazookaMedic]

What I am looking for is a Lock that is A good tool for the mid-level lock picker. I have easily picked master lock no.3 and 4 in about 6 seconds tops with my half diamon and shallow hook. I have searched a little bit and i am hoping for something that i can take apart and add security pins and what not to it. Please list locks with prices.

[melvin2001]

first of all update your profile so we know where about in the world you are located, locks are different from place to place.

if you are in the USA, i would say either kwikset (like $20-30 at lowes or home depot for a decent deadbolt) or schlage ($30-$40 same places as above) i would probably say stay away from key in knob (kik) locks as they tend to be of lesser quality and can be unpredictable while picking, causing frustration. also avoid the brinks deadbolts that you get at walmart as they are crap. brinks makes some nice padlocks but they are either considered too easy or too hard. the only one that would be a "mid" security lock is probaby the "home key" padlock that you can get at wal-mart for about $12. it has security pins though that can be a bother if your not familiar with them.

[BazookaMedic]

Thanks I updated my profile. Sorry if that caused any trouble. I am in the south east just as you are.

[Romstar]

I think I am generally going to start recomending LSDA, Schlage or Weiser keyway. Standard mortice cylinder. Most locksmiths will carry these, as they are a locksmith brand.

If you don't have a local locksmith, you can go with standard Weiser or Schlage deadbolts. There are some similar locks at Walmart, Lowes, or Central.

Try to stay away from key in knob locks at first. Many of them are pooly constructed, and you want to develop your skills before frustrating yourself on a lock that may be plastic inside rather than brass or at least some sort of metal.

Some bargin stores will have a selection of inexpensive locks. The quality isn't as good, but for general practice the price ($10.00 in most cases) can't be beat. This will give you some cylinders that you can tear apart as you learn to re-key locks and follow Digital_Blue's exercise.

Romstar

[BazookaMedic]

Well I can actually pick my front, back, and basement doors in about 20 seconds. The locks on those are schilage. Im just looking for somthing like romstar said, I can rip it apart and rekey it as needed.

[Romstar]

Well I can actually pick my front, back, and basement doors in about 20 seconds. The locks on those are schilage. Im just looking for somthing like romstar said, I can rip it apart and rekey it as needed.

Either you are very talented, or you have some poorly keyed Schlage locks. Take a good look at your keys, and see how much variance there is in the depths of the cuts. If there are a lot that are similar, or even the same height, you may want to have them rekeyed.

Most people have difficulty with Schlage, especially in the beginning.

At any rate, I am sure that you will find something over the next few days.

Romstar

[BazookaMedic]

I dont own a camera yet but on 2 of them the front is very high and it goes from that to about the botoom where the brass is tappered then after that those two just jump up and down a litt.e. Im going to have to buy a lock and disassemble it and learn all of the lingo on the inside. When i pick I know I have to make the pins set above the sheer line, so as i pick i close my eyes and picture what the lock is doing and reacting to my picking movements. Thanks romstar.

[melvin2001]

i would still recommend a schlage deadbolt. like romstar said there are better quality locks out there, but a schalge is pretty good and finding them with security pins is pretty easy. check around for a REPUTABLE locksmith in your area.... at least 3/4ths of the locksmiths in my area are pretty shady guys that run a lockout business in their basement and dont have crap for products. many small businesses and landlords use locksmiths to maintain their locks and whatnot, so ask some people who they would recommend.

[BazookaMedic]

O.k so how about this lock.

http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS/EN ... 0&MID=9876