bogota rakes and toothed wrenchs: good for SFIC locks?

[123jimmy]

Hi

I'm fairly new to lock picking (6 months). i started working on SFIC locks. I was wondering what people thought of using both the tension wrench with teeth as well as the bogota rake on these locks.

I'm also having trouble finding bogota rakes, and I currently don't have the materials of making my own.

I appologize in advance if this is posted in the wrong place

-123jimmy

[gostone]

123jimmy wrote:

I was wondering what people thought of using both the tension wrench with teeth as well as the bogota rake on these locks.

Well you can certainly give it a try, the SFIC bests are pretty tough picking, and I will say the bogotas without the tension tools stand almost no chance, you may get lucky depending on the pinning. Be sure to wedge a tooth pick in with the tension tool to ensure it fits firmly in the sleeve.

I'm also having trouble finding bogota rakes, and I currently don't have the materials of making my own.

I suggest you PM Raimundo, the designer and maker of the bogotas, he sells them. I can tell you, they are very well made, and definitelly worth the money..........

[123jimmy]

Thanks

Do any of you guys think a gun will work on the lock if i use the toothed wrench?

[Chucklz]

What keyway are you trying? And what is your previous experience in picking? How is the lock keyed? Do you have the core in a padlock or in your hand?

[123jimmy]

I'm practicing on a few doors. they are on a master key system. Thats all I know.

I have been picking for 6 months, though mostly scrubbing. I have done a little pick-by-pick picking on simplier locks

[fizzmahon]

Start to learn SPP (Single Pin Picking) Ive been picking for about 2 months now but only started SPP a few weeks back, it is very beneficial to learn. I cant state how important it is. It has change my style of picking completly.

As for the SFIC, im not sure that having it masterkeyed will make a difference. Usually it will make picking easier as you have 2 spots to hit the sheer line for each pin, but on the SFIC you are picking to the cores sheer line rather than the sheer line to open the door. My current knowledge on SFIC tells me that there will still only be one sheer line. (Anyone correct me if i am wrong)

SFIC are very difficult locks. Start with a kwikset and learn to SPP it and learn what to feel for. Change the pinning to difficult pinnings (High/Low/H/L/H) and such and practice that. Then move on to more difficult locks, or locks with spools. Your picking skills will vastly improve.

[Chucklz]

You shouldn't pick locks you don't own, especially considering you can damage the lock.

You should check the policies at your institution regarding unauthorized key duplication. I did, and I bet if you are caught picking they will be very unhappy with you. Even though picking isn't specifically mentioned in the policy, look how seriously key duplication is taken. Then look at things like theft and breaking and entering. Nothing you want to be accused of.

[123jimmy]

my intentions are for sport, but i will check the policies.

Thanks everybody

-123jimmy

[Chucklz]

For sport, either buy some off ebay, or ask the campus locksmith (its worked in the past). I say what I did because I did check your institutions policies. While picking isn't specifically mentioned, I doubt they would be happy at all.