n00b first picking attempt

[GoatT]

hi all...i was interested in lockpicking and was happy to see that my set came in the mail today that i ordered a week ago.

i found a lock lying around....pictures below...




Sorry if they're blurry, but the text says '40mm' and 'Made in China' (both very helpful I'm sure).

Anyway I can't seem to set a pin...I'm beginning to think it's me. I can push it up but no matter how fast, flow, hard or soft I seem to do it, it comes right back down. There's definitely pins in there, I can see them...they just won't stay put.

Is this lock just out of my league for a first lock? Am I missing something really basic?

I did search for 'how do you set a pin' but came up with 216 pages of threads.

[rakemaster]

What picking guides have you read? It will be easier to help you if you let us know what you've already tried to understand.

[What]

GoatT, How much tension have you been applying? It sounds like you could use a bit more tension in order to find the binding pin. Once you find that it just gets easier.

Welcome and I hope you enjoy the forum.

[crash13]

GoatT, How much tension have you been applying? It sounds like you could use a bit more tension in order to find the binding pin. Once you find that it just gets easier.

Welcome and I hope you enjoy the forum.

Remember don't just try to set the first pin you see. Try setting the back pin first.

Good luck.

[Legion303]

Try applying a little tension, raking a few times, then slowly releasing the tension. If you hear the pins clicking one at a time you know you set at least a few. Sometimes this helps me determine whether I'm in the right neighborhood with the force of my tension.

-steve

[Marco]

Remember don't just try to set the first pin you see. Try setting the back pin first.

You should not necessarily be setting either first. The binding order of every lock will be different, there is no set order. Some locks may set from front to back, some may set back to front, and some may be completely random. What you need to do is gently push up each pin just a little (and i mean just a LITTLE bit) while applying tension to find out which pin was the hardest to push up. When you find out which pin that was, go back to it and push it up until you feel it hit the sheerline. The plug should move a tiny bit and the pin you just pushed up will no longer have resistance from the spring. Keep repeating this process and the lock will eventually open.

It takes time and practice to get good, so keep at it! If you want to be able to recognise binding pins more easily, i suggest you get yourself a deadbolt cylinder and follow digital_blue's beginner lockpicking excercises. It is stickied at the top of the "Pick-Fu - Do... Not try" forum.

Good luck

[I Vallen I]

Have you read a tutorial about lock and learned the basic design of the lock?