New to lock picking

[geoffreyhowes]

I am a firefighter working in london and have entered may propertys by sliping locks and using a sledge hammer when time is off the essence. I have started to get into lock picking and have some padlocks and lock cylinders.
I have small yale lock which I don't have much trouble getting into and I recently bought a larger yale lock FKE3 and I can't pick it. I have read may post about mushroom pin etc does this lock contain these or do I need to pratice more.
I have moved on from filing cabinets etc but this seems to have stumped me. any ideas
Also I purchaced a yale X5 " before you say it i know it was far beyond my cababilites but i fanced a go" i took apart to have a look at the internals and now i can't put it back together can anyone help.
Many thanks
Geoff

[White Graphite]

Welcome to the site.

Id say that the "Yale FKE3" would more than likely have some security pins as the yales I have do. As for the "Yale X5" this may help you put it back together viewtopic.php?t=10505
That X5 is a great little lock should keep you busy for ages

Hope this helps.

[geoffreyhowes]

Thanks White Graphite that helps a lot, I used an old plug as a follower with the hole taped over, it seemed to work well and is a perfect diameter.
I think the Yale X5 will keep me occupied for a long time to come.
what lock are you currently working on.?

[White Graphite]

I'm glad it helped you As for the locks, at the moment im having fun that
Yale X5 I have opened it a good few times now but it takes me around 4-5 mins.And I also got an Iseo euro profile lock which is quite fun. Have you tried that Yale X5 yet?

[geoffreyhowes]

No luck with the X5, when I took it apart some of the springs got damaged I don't think this is helping much with feeling the security pins. My local key cutting shop is selling old hotel locks for a £5 ea so i'm working on them before I have another go at the X5. Do you rake and pick or just pick the X5?

[White Graphite]

No I can't seem to rake the thing open, I think its because the biting is hard e.g. the pins are set high,low,high,low etc.. so it makes it kinda hard! And I don't really rake that much.It seems to be quite a tough lock theres actually some threads on it

viewtopic.php?t=19840&highlight=yale

viewtopic.php?t=18809&highlight=yale

If you want to get the feel for security pins get an ABUS padlock like a
number 85/40.I have one of these and its very good for feeling what
security pins are like.

Hope you have fun with those Hotel locks

[geoffreyhowes]

Thanks for the advice, I will try the Abus 85/40 and let you know how I get on. Another question, I have a set of Southord PXS-17 are these American picks? I keep hearing about Euro slim picks do I need a set and where can I get a set. What do you use . Sorry to keep picking your brains but you know what it's like when you first start out you what all the answers.
Thanks in advance.
Geoff

[Afisch]

The Slimline or standard discussion is going on in another post above this one, that should explain things. Simple answer is in the UK slimlines, but as i say, other posts...

[White Graphite]

Man theres no need to say sorry Yes they are american picks.
I use "Slim line" picks and more than likely you will need a set.
I got mine off http://southord.com/

And here is the link to the "Slime Line" picks
http://southord.com/catalog.asp?cat=sets&rowstart=10

I got my set in 6 Working days which is very fast and all the way
from America to Ireland .Great service.

You can also get them off the site http://www.lockpickshop.com/Euro-lock-Picks.html
which is the sponser of Lock Picking 101.From what
I have heard they also have a good service.Oh and
enter lp101 into the coupon box on the order form
and receive 10% off.

Hope this helps.

[geoffreyhowes]

nice one.
i will order a set and see how i get on.
thanks again

[White Graphite]

Your welcome