Euro vs regular pick? Practice lock?

by **adesw** » 24 Jan 2007 17:23

ok im new (obviously) and i have never picked a lock in my life (excluding shimming which i dont consider as picking.)

Ive been reading through this site for the last couple of days and have found alot of usefull info on how to get started on picking. I have searched and havnt found answers to the questions im looking to... be answered ... but if their was a previous topic (which im sure there are) then please just post a link)

What is the difference inbetween euro lock picks and other lockpicks?

To practice should i buy a lock set thats designed for practicing or buy a seperate lock?

Thanks
- ades

[Meaningless title edited by MBI to add clarity.]

by **Schuyler** » 24 Jan 2007 17:30

If you have the money, go ahead and buy some gradated locks. Ones with 1 pin, 2 pins, 3 pins, etc. etc. They are a nice learning tool.

However, you can learn how to repin a lock yourself on here, it's not too hard once you get used to it.

For your original question? The Euro picks tend to be slimmer, as European keyways are often tighter or more complex than the common American ones.

by **adesw** » 24 Jan 2007 17:33

Oh and another question.

I just checked lockpickshop.com's details and they dont accept paypal to places outside of the us. Im a humble 15 years old and so obviously dont have a credit card ( and so my repuation lowers

) and so obviously i cannot buy from them . Any suggestions anyone (legal ones)

I really dont have the skills or tools required to create my own picks at the moment and as im a noob id rather get some that will work with practice

by **Anero** » 24 Jan 2007 17:36

Fill out your profile with your location for starters, that helps us answer questions.

as far as obtaining picks, again, if your locted somewhere near another member maybe you could work something out, also in the buy/sell/trade section of this forum people will some times sell picks they have made or sets they have "grown out of".

by **adesw** » 24 Jan 2007 17:40

forgot to do that, sorry im rushing around at the moment trying to do multiple things.

As i put in my profile i live in worthing (near brighton) in England

by **adesw** » 24 Jan 2007 17:42

Oh and thanks Schuyler thats helpful, i might take my time to learn to repin locks as that could be a usefull skill so that i wont have to buy hundreds of new locks to play with.

-ades

by **adesw** » 25 Jan 2007 8:55

Can you use a standard pick on a euro lock or wont it fit? or does it make it that much harder to use. If it doesnt i might buy some bogota picks from varjeal... if their are any left by the time i get my pay pal sorted out.

by **Keyring** » 25 Jan 2007 9:35

In my opinion its worth having a medium hook in both standard and slimline. Both will go into european locks, and anyway for example branded padlocks here are mostly the same ones our american cousins can buy. You can be slightly rougher with a standard pick (rougher than you need to be), without bending it. Most of the other picks I never use, but its worth having a rake of some sort and a half-diamond and perhaps a ball.

There is at least one british supplier who takes Paypal (http://www.devonlocks.com/), but he doesn't supply single picks.
You know, your best friend might be a parent with a credit card. It's always best to be open about this, or they might get a bad impression when parcels start arriving for you which you won't talk about.

by **adesw** » 25 Jan 2007 14:25

thanks

Its not a case of my parents wont allow them..just that they wont buy them for me or use their credit cards to buy them even if i paid them in advance. My dads an accountant and its a bit weird...

I looked at devon locks and they look quite interesting but ive only just got paypal and am still setting it up with my bank account.

What does it mean by the electoral role? and how do you confirm this with them?

by **Keyring** » 25 Jan 2007 17:14

OK. But seriously be upfront with them about it and you are less likely to get bad reactions.

The electoral role is the list of people who can vote. (You can sometimes find a copy hanging on the church notice board.) As you have to be 18 to vote, I'm guessing you're not on it. I can't remember the Paypal rules I'm afraid. I don't remember anything about the electoral role being involved, but I think I started from the position of having a credit card, and that proves you're 18.

Anyway, good luck!

by **adesw** » 26 Jan 2007 12:57

I've decided to challenge myself. Im gonna make or try to make a small set of picks. I found some small metal rods which i have turned hammered and filed into shape to be different sized tension wrenches (the rods i found are a sight stronger then coat hangers

) I've made two so far and the second one isnt really finished as i need to finish off shaping the ends so that they can actually fit into locks without blocking the pins.

Later (probably tommorow as its late now ) Im gonna pop down to the hardware store and buy some metal and some decent files to build a couple picks. Ive been looking at different templates.
From these ones http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p251 ... /mouse.jpg

Which would you advise i make (if i were to make 5 or 6)

-thanks

by **cjames73** » 26 Jan 2007 13:11

good luck making your picks,
make sure you read all you can on making picks before you start. from the picks shown i think you should make 01,04,06 or 07,09 and 12. you will probably use these the most.

by **adesw** » 27 Jan 2007 14:33

they didnt have any suitable material down at the hardware store. But they did have some nice looking locks inwhich i might be able to take apart.

Euro vs regular pick? Practice lock?

Euro vs regular pick? Practice lock?

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