Picking open inverted locks

[Houdini Locksmiths]

Is it just me or is picking open an inverted lock harder? I'm just looking at my back door and it has an inverted keyhole. I've tried several times to open it with only one time managing to pick it open. Does it become easier with practice.

Thanks

Harry

[Safekey]

Practice makes perfect.

What tools you using ?

[CitySpider]

Inverted to you is probably normal to me.

[Houdini Locksmiths]

These are a selection of picks that I've been using:-





Thanks

Harry

[Safekey]

You obviously have plenty of picks, but what about tension tools?
Just a thought, but maybe your putting to much or to little tension on the cylinder.

If your concerned, try putting the lock in a vice, the other way up.

[Mad Mick]

When you say inverted Harry, do you mean that the flat part of the key is up, or down? I'm from the UK where pretty much every lock that I saw was installed so that the flat is at the bottom, the same as here in Bermuda and I imagine to be the same in the US. Apparently some locks in Europe are fitted 'upside down' when compared to the above.

Picking a lock which is in a different postition to what you are used to picking is always a bit more difficult. As is picking an installed lock when you're used to picking whilst sat on your couch. Try making a lock mounting board and picking the lock in the normal position, then invert it and try picking again.

As Safekey points out, tension is another factor and the suggestion of using a vise is a quick swap instead of using a lockboard. A lockboard, however, will give you a better feel for picking an installed lock, especially if you can clamp on another piece of wood to act as a door frame......

[HeadHunterCEO]

to me in a word

yes

i have considrably more trouble popping inverted locks

[CitySpider]

Now that I'm not feeling as gnomic, I have no more trouble picking right-side up locks than I do upside down locks than I do sideways locks than I do mounted locks than I do handheld locks. Same same. However, it took a whole lot of practice to get to that point. Admittedly, I'd /rather/ pick a handheld lock with the pins at the top, but that's because I've done it the most and am thus the most comfortable with it, not because I find it any easier.

[WhiteHat]

not wanting to be controversial or anything, but I actally prefer to pick with the pins pointing up and the wrench in the "top" of the keyway (i.e. the side with the pins). I find that this gives me more room to move the pick and gravity takes the key pins out of the way after picking. it makes it a bit easier to distinguish between picked and non picked pins. the pins also make more of a satisfying "click" when they set and stay there...

also, if you're picking for extended periods of time, pushing down is easier than pushing up.

in addition if you are a "wrench-in-same-side-of-keyway-as-the-pins" person like me, it's easier to hold the wrench in the keyway if it's in the side of the plug that's closest to the ground - it sort of "hangs" there when you release tension, which means that you are able to just push on it with two or three fingers instead of having to "hold" the wrench to stop it falling out when using light tension.

just my experience anyway.

[Houdini Locksmiths]

A big thanks to all of you for replying, I've taken note of what you are saying. I will mount an inverted lock onto a board this evening, agreed it will help me if I practice more on inverted locks of this type.

I think the problem I had was 'patience', I wanted that lock open in seconds but as we all know thats not always the case. As Safekey mentioned I could be applying either too much or too little pressure.

I'll keep practicing and let you know if I crack it.

Thanks

Harry