Upside Down Kwikset Deadbolt

[SemiShady]

I've been picking by hand for quite some time (4 years[but very little, probably got like 200 hrs in]) and i'm ok at it. I've never really had a 'real' pick set, but i have made picks that work (hacksaw blades and spokes) I also made a snapper pick with a coat hanger that can open about half the locks i try it on. Picking by hand i can get about 80% of the locks. So thats my history.

I have a kwikset lock on my bedroom door that had to be installed upside down (hinges on the wrong side of the door?) so the pins on are the bottom, and i can't do anything to it. With the pick or the snapper.

I have to key so its not an emergency but why am i haveing so much trouble.. is there some type of technique i may be over looking for picking upside down. Shouldn't it be easier? Is a snapper pick useable in this situation? Any ideas appreciated.

The main reason is cause its a lock in my home and is easy for me to practice on, all my other locks i've 'learned' and can hand pick or rocker pick them very quickly, this one gets me real discouraged. Thanks in advance.

sidenote: When ever i try to search or post the site is going verrrry slow. usually resulting in the white screen, but when i get back my post when through. Also some threads load fast, but most dont? anyone else expierncing this?

[SemiShady]

i forgot to mention that i have other deadbolts not in use that i use to practice picking on as well. My picks are strong and are not going to break off in the lock, and i'm not a complete idiot that is going to break the lock (and even if i do, i have replacement dead bolts) So please skip all the 'don't pick locks you depend on' stuff.

Technically i don't depend on this lock as i never lock my bedroom door, and like i said i have replacement locks available. Sorry if that sounds arrogant, i just don't want the 1 reply i get to say don't pick locks you depend on, and then no-one else helps either.

Thx again.

[2octops]

Take the 2 screws out that hold the front and back of the deadbolt on the door. Take out the 2 screws on the edge of the door that hold the bolt in place. Slide bolt out and spin it 180°. Push it back in the door, reinstall the 2 scews in the edge of the door. Reinstall the front and back half of the lock.

Now your lock is right side up.

[SemiShady]

ah. Good call.

Is there an advantage to having them upside down? i guess that is my question. To me at least it seems much harder to pick them this way, as the inner pins don't fall out of the way. Should i flip my outer locks upside down?

(i realize that if the lock gets old this could be harmful. but i could just switch them back righ-side up if the springs get too weak)

[Eyes_Only]

Most all locks in europe have their locks situated upside down. I think over here in the US that would maybe offer some deterant to potential theives with minimal picking skills from trying to pick a lock thats installed like that since they are only used to picking locks thats sitting right side up.

[SemiShady]

I see. Again though, is there any advantage to having your locks pin down to gaurd against picking. Other than 'people aren't used to it'. if you practiced all day on both, is there any difference? Again to me it seems that expeirenced or not, pins down would be harder. My reason is because you don't get that rattle that helps you realize that the pins are set

So is there a simple answer to which is safer (harder to pick)? [not because of style, but because of the science of manipulation, if that makes sence]

[digital_blue]

No question, if all other factors are the same, a lock with pins down is a bit harder to pick, and doubly so for the inexperienced picker. But contrast that with the increased risk of getting crap in the pin chambers and I still opt to put 'em pins up like God intended.


j/k

db

[SemiShady]

Thanks alot for the quick answers guys.

I was able to pick it finally with my new and improved snapper pick. Although i have to pick it the 'wrong' way and then use my trusty modified clothes pin plug spinner. Still being a pain to me though. Hopefully soon i'll just be able to get it with the regular pick.