I lost my lock picking virginity tonight.

[subigo]

First, this forum is fantastic, sooo much information... I love it. Anywho...

Last weekend I came across The MIT Guide to Lock Picking and printed off the 49 pages. Over the course of a few hours I read the entire thing... it did a really good job of explaining the basics to me. In fact, I was surprised how easy it all sounded.

So anyway, my Google search brought me here and I read the forum for a week. I ended up placing an order with lockpickshop.com (I ordered the Slim Line Euro - Japanese Lock Pick Set - 5 Piece)... and it should be here on Friday.

A few days ago I made my first shim and opened my work locker in about 2 seconds (and to think I always leave my wallet in my locker... not anymore)... the shim was cool, but I really wanted to get started with picking!

So tonight I went to wal-mart and bought a 5 pin Mountain Security padlock for a few bucks. I figured I would find some things around the house to use as picks... and I did. I know, I know... not a good thing to start with, but I used a bobby pin for the pick.

The tension wrench on the other hand was a pretty nice find. I took the metal part of a pen and bent it a little. It worked perfectly... (see the picture)

I opened the package that the lock came in and pulled out my ghetto tools... to be honest I figured this would take me hours to open, if I even opened it at all... but...

I used all the information I have read this week, put in the wrench, gave it a little tension, felt for the pins... and POP. I opened the freakin' thing in under a minute, on my first try... and I have done it about 15 times since.

Anyway, I just wanted to thank this forum for all the good information. Without you, I definitely wouldn't have had it open so fast.

I am no longer a lock picking virgin...

Here's what I used:

[Krypos]

LOL. those are the EXACT same tools i started with once upon a time. for that same precision v3 fine tip roller ball pens!

i saw the clip and ripped it off and used it like you did ages ago. and a bobby pin, as thats what they always use in the movies.

good job on your first picking!

now, if only for your OTHER virginity......... lol...sorry..........

once you get your picks, things will start to fly open, i think you will find yourself seeing locks around you very differently. its very cool.

after i started picking locks, id be out and about, and since, i notice what type of lock are around me, did you know, best buy uses medeco disc locks on their expensive software? id didnt until after i started picking and noticed the locks.

its a cool hobby. read up more, and im sure you will love it more.

welcome btw. and nice noobie choice on the pick set, 5pc slimmies is a good beginner set, enough pieces to play with, but few enough and cheap enough that if you dont like it, its not a major loss. and slimmies are always great.

last thing, fill out your profile so we all know whereabouts in the world you live. im assuming the USA as you went to walmart, but its always nice to know wherein the USA, we are fairly big.

[Isakill]

Yeah congrats. I always love hearing about all the ghetto pickers and their stories.
Like Krypos said once you get an actual set of picks locks will fly open in no time.

I always find myself looking at a mortice lock on a local business door and identifing the keyway and try and igure how long it would take me to pick it

But in my area the hardest lock around is probably just a schlage.

[raimundo]

Yes, the bobby pin (hairpin) is the better mcgayver, and the pocket clip from that pen is an excellent tensor. if people are going to use mcgyvers the bobbypin is far better than the paperclip. but of course with out purpose made pics, you are handicapping yourself, youll understand when slimlines come, you are getting slimlines arent you?

[Eyes_Only]

Congrats! And Isakill is right. From now on whenever and wherever you see a lock you'll get a strange sensation and you'll wonder, "how fast could I pick that lock if I had permission to do so?" And if you liked the MIT guide you might appreciate Deviant Ollam's site here, http://deviating.net/lockpicking/

[subigo]

Krypos: Great minds think alike?....

Thanks guys... is it strange that I spent about two hours just watching TV last night and picking that lock? I've really got that lock down, as I can open it in about 5 seconds now, everytime.

Funny story: This morning I woke up and went outside to ride my bike (it's a $2000 bike btw)... so there's the bike on my porch, with my kryptonite bike lock keeping it safe on a porch rail... right?

Of course I go inside and get my "tools"... how could I forget about this lock last night when I was looking everywhere? So I go back outside, stick in the wrench... and POP! Once again, only this lock was 100x's easier. It took me less than 5 seconds on the first try. It only felt like there were 2 pins in there...

Moral of the story? I need a new way to keep my bike safe.

I can't wait until my REAL picks get here tomorrow... and yes raimundo, they are slimlines.

[Afisch]

ive got my picks now but i still enjoy picking with a spring and tweaers...its got some strange satisfaction to it. Congratulation by the way.

[Eyes_Only]

Once you get your SO picks you can be a lockpicking slut like the rest of us.

[tumblertim]

congradulations! i remember my first time like it was yesterday.......................................................................

[subigo]

Well, I got my C500 Southord set today... and it really is pretty nice. I'm still trying to get the feel for them, as I can still open the locks I have practiced on faster with the bobby pin.

One thing I can't open, no matter how hard I try, is a little brinks padlock that looks JUST like the Mountain Security padlock I have pictured above. I have tried for 2 days now and can't get this thing open. I'm not sure what the deal is... it feels like I get all the pins set and then it moves like it's gonna open (about 2-3 millimeters), and then stops.

I guess this little padlock must have some kind of security pins or something?

[Eyes_Only]

Yup that is a security pin snagging. You'll have to ease up on the tension a little and try to push it up past the shear line. While doing this the plug will counter-rotate a tiny bit.

[scissor83]

Bobby Pins are great. But the best booby pins are the ones that are hard and arent bent easily. Also when i started lock picking i used a bent Hairpin. The trick with the hairpin is that you have to put it in the lock and then bend it to have a tension wrench.

[dmux]

there are also some really good videos out there too, i know a few on google video that have the lockpicking workshops that are very interesting and you can learn a ton

when i first started, i just starting watching videos, i guess i just learn better visually than reading

[RockInBlack]

That was my first lock with my original tools. Took me about 2 minutes. Its a simple wafer lock (using a coat hanger for a tension wrench and a little metal pick for teeth or toenails or something for my pick. Sorry for the massive picture.

[RockInBlack]

Congrats on that lock and I hope you make picking a hobby, Its great!