Picked my first lock! (Questions included)

[CPOStudios]

Very exciting. That was my 3rd go at it and it took under 4 minutes. However, I haven't been able to do it since. Now, I have about 5 questions:

1.) How do you feel that a pin has been set? And what about when you are using a rake, I didn't feel anything significant, but I know pins were set because when I released tension I could hear and see them pop back into place.

2.) I think I know the answer to this, but are pins in a fairly straight row? I have a masterlock 3 that I was trying to pick and when I tipped it upside down, all the key pins were loose... But the plug wouldn't budge. I really don't know what it could have been. And after setting all these (or so I thought), I raked it for a good minute to make sure they were totally set with still no luck.

3.) How do you distinguish four and five pin locks? Just based on feeling the pins?

4.) Speed raking: I see all these videos of guys raking a padlock in 10 seconds. I go at it for 5 minutes with no luck, trying every angle. Is there a better strategy?

[WDPaladin]

First off, if you haven't read this yet, go here. http://www.gregmiller.net/locks/mitguide/

1. Dont worry about raking yet, use a hook. They will "click" into place. Do this tightest pin first.

2. In your case, yes, I'm sure.

3. Dont put tension on the lock and put a diamond or other flat tipped piece into the lock, raise all the pins, and slowly pull it out; every click is another set of pins.

4. Yes there is, but again, dont worry about raking until you know exactly what the rake will be doing. If you dont know the mechanics of a lock you'll never figure it out. Walk, then run, grasshopper.

And on a final note before the fire comes rolling in, use the little search button on the top right corner of your screen; any and everything you could want to know about locks and picking are here, so always browse before adding traffic to the forums. Good luck!

[CPOStudios]

Thanks so much! That really helped. Though I still have no idea why that masterlock 3 is not budging. I suppose I'll just keep at it.

Last question (didn't really know how to narrow my search here): Will the pins on a specific lock always pop in the same order? Example: 2, then 4, then 1, and then 3? The Masterlock no. 3 seems to be setting the pins in the exact same order every time (yet the plug won't budge regardles...)

[CPOStudios]

Appologies for the double post, I am used to edit buttons on PHPBB forums:

I read the LSI guide and understood everything. I chose it because it was more picture oriented. Looking back at the MIT guide, it seems to have a little bit more information in regard to actually picking the lock and the lock's mechanics. I'll be sure to read it thuroughly tomorrow.

[Iceberg_Slim]

http://deviating.net/lockpicking/ this helped me learn tremendiuosly, but dont read more then the first few chapters or you will get confused at reading the advanced material.

[JackNco]

Congratulations on the first lock dude. and welcome to the mad house

1.) You wont really feel much when ur taking, you will learn to recognize and feel the clicks through the tension wrench and the pick as your skills improve.

2.) You could be hitting a security pin. what lock are u practicing on?

3.) WDPaladin covered this one without me needing to add anything

4.) "speed raking" is about knowing when to bounce the tension. forget it for now its much less rewarding and you will find you struggle as you move on to harder locks. concentrate on single pin picking and raking will come on its own.

All th best

[raimundo]

raking works best if you have sanded the edges round and the shaft smooth on the rake. commercial rakes will need either a little sanding or a lot. run your thumbnail along the top of the shaft, if its really smooth, you will feel nothing at all.

[CPOStudios]

Thanks so much guys. I picked my Master Lock (no. 3) 4 times today at school just waiting around. The only thing I ran into was it seemed as though I picked it, but it wouldn't click open. Maybe something was stuck and I was putting too much on the tension wrench. But when it opens, it is very rewarding. At this rate I am hoping to have basic 4 pin locks down to a science in a month. Thanks again!

[JackNco]

OK first off

DON'T PICK LOCKS IN A SCHOOL

second when picking a master no3, or any laminated lock really, push the lock/plug/cylinder back as far as it will go with ur finger, then insert the tension wrench so its not touching the body of the lock. 2mm should be fine. you could be catching on something .

and once again in case it didn't sink in...

DON'T PICK LOCKS IN A SCHOOL

all the best

[WDPaladin]

OK first off
DON'T PICK LOCKS IN A SCHOOL

I must agree. First off, find out if it's even legal to OWN picks where you live, and beyond that, don't flaunt something like this where someone might look at what you're doing the wrong way. Someone's locker is opened, for example, and someone says that they saw you with picks and you're in big trouble. Enjoy, but responsibly.

[CPOStudios]

I'm really not too worried about it. I am fairly liberal and will not back down to the system. No where in our school policy nor the VA State Laws does it say you may not own a lock pick and tension wrench. Each of my teachers has actually taken an interest in it more than anything else. I would abosultely not let something like circumstantial evidence prevent me from doing an innocent hobby. I have a high GPA, I have no history of discipline problems, I take all AP classes in college, it's just not something to do. I respect the fact that this community is all about making lock picking look honest, but I am taking a personal risk to stand up for my freedom. I hate government control, and constant babying. Anyways, the guides you guys led to are really helping; and thanks so much for the tip. I've managed to be able to pick the masterlock #3 in under 5 minutes every time.

Note: I really don't want to argue this. Again, it's a personal belief catered to my morals.

[raimundo]

the four pin master lock cylinder is not very long, maybe about this long, ------------ if your tensor blade is longer, it will stick out the back of the cylinder and you will be able to pick it but as you try to turn it, the tensor will hang up on something back there, just dont put long tensors into a master padlock.