Training Aids

[zsoutendijk]

Im learning to pick locks and was searching the web for some training aids, I came upon a lock with the pins revealed with a small piece of glass over it so you could see when the pins hit the shear line. These things run close to $50 and i dont feel like spending 50 bucks on a lock.

I was wondering if anybody had some ideas on how to make my own.

this is what one looks like:


http://www.spysite.com/product_images/d_698_01.jpg

Thanks,
Zack

[iNtago]

search "cutaway"

[JackNco]

dont bother.

you will be picking real locks by feel its the best way to learn... in my humble opinion

John

[zsoutendijk]

Thanks,
Now that i got the hang of it i would have to agree with you JackNco, it is much better to get the "feel" of it.



-Zack

[lockjaw]

Im learning to pick locks and was searching the web for some training aids, I came upon a lock with the pins revealed with a small piece of glass over it so you could see when the pins hit the shear line. These things run close to $50 and i dont feel like spending 50 bucks on a lock.

I was wondering if anybody had some ideas on how to make my own.

this is what one looks like:


http://www.spysite.com/product_images/d_698_01.jpg

Thanks,
Zack

You can make your own cutaways but there is no generic technique to do so -- the method varies from lock-to-lock.

You don't really need cutaways for simple pin tumbler locks. Buy 5 cheap keyed-alike cylinders and repin them progressively so that one cylinder has only the first stack installed, the second the first two stacks...and so on.. and the fifth all of the pin stacks. If you can't afford the five cylinders then you'll have to repin the same cylinder multiple times.

Another training that is very underrated amongst North American lockpickers (and advocated by only one member that I know of: Availer ???) is the stethoscope, contact microphone or sonarscope. With some acoustic enhancement you will know certainly when you have set a pin.