Need simple picking guide and some locks

[xboxteen01]

i recently got a southord 4 pick set with book. i read the book,searched forums far and wide,and read the MIT guide. my question is this: is there any simple guide for picking. i plan on purchasing a lock to practice on soon,what kind should i get? and finally: i practiced on my house lock(i know bad idea) and the pins face up. everything i read says that the pins face down and you lift them up. is there a different technique needed for these locks?

[linty]

you're off to a good start, the MIT guide should cover all the basics.
the general consensus around here is that kwikset makes the best beginner lock, make sure it's a 5 pin and not a 6 pin.

there's no difference between picking locks upside-down or right-side up, but wait until you get your practice lock before messing around any more.

[cjames73]

welcome to the forum.

to suggest a good practice lock you will need to fill in where you live in your profile.

heres a good guide to get you started, its filled with valuable info.
http://locksport.com/home/index.php?ent ... 027-222056

as for lock orientation, i don't think it really matters.

[JackNco]

First off welcome to the mad house. as your picking "upside down" i assume ur inside Europe, chances are your house has a "euro Cylinder" or "profile cylinder"

I have to disagree with Linty. i find it very different picking locks upside down. spending to much time on one actually seems to effect picking the opposite pin setup. although the theory is the same its done in a different way.

cjames73 has pointed you to the LSI site which has one of the best guides around although spending hours reading on here will benefit you more.

As for picking you own locks that is a bad idea, very bad. you will do more damage as a beginner never mind the risk of snapping a pick in there.

All the best.

[Eyes_Only]

Try to buy a cylinder that you can easily re-key as this will probably save you money in the long run and prevent you from collecting a stock pile of "used up" locks. Disassembling and assembling a lock will also help you to get a real life view of how a lock works, helping you become better at picking.

By JackNco's post I also assume you're from Europe so as to what kind of lock is easy to pick and re-key is beyond me since im in the US. But I think some of our UK members can help with that.

[JackNco]

viewtopic.php?t=12441
viewtopic.php?t=18327 < mine

Should have posted these before
Remember to leave a post if a guide helped u

[JackNco]

wait no mines the top one don't wanna steal credit where its not due

all the best

[xboxteen01]

thank you all for your help. im in the USA btw.sorry about leaving that out. this by far is one of the most courteous and helpful sites ive seen and im looking forward to learning the art of lock picking with you guys. thanks again.

[JackNco]

thats what were here for dude.

Have you got a pic of the lock, or a make and model?

[xboxteen01]

sorry man my cameras broken for the time being and the lock was here as long as i can remember

[kr15]

Thanks for that Jack