Little help

[simon_G]

Hey guys ^^

Im fairly new to this sort of thing, and im capable of opening basic pin and tumbler locks.

HOWEVER, the one problem I've encountered, is that i cant progress more with single pin picking that the 'poke and prod' method that has been mentioned here a few times. All the guides ive read on the subject suggest getting a re-keyable lock and only leaving in two pins. however none of the stores around my area have any at all, and i dont really have access to anywhere outside of that area more than infreqent trips.

Can anyone think of a different way to assist learning of the proper method without having to find re-keyable locks?

many, many thanks,

-Simon

[Eyes_Only]

Most residential and commercial type locks should be able to be re-keyed. Where are you located and could you elaborate more on your situation?

[davou]

none of the stores around my area have any at all, and i dont really have access to anywhere outside of that area more than infreqent trips.


-Simon

Eyes only is right, chances are those locks you've looked at in store have been re-keyable, only the person selling them to you didn't want to seem as dumb as they are, and didn't mention that they were.

Re-keying the lock is a locksmith sort of job, And I'd imagine the teenage sales people at Canadian tire wouldn't know how to start.

See if they will let you open the package before you buy the lock... On the back of 'mortise cylinders' if you see a retaining plate (piece of metal that holes the plug in place with a pair of screws on mine) Chances are you can re-key this lock.

be aware though, that re-keying a lock demands a certain few tools... A plug following is absolutely necessary, and a good pair of tweezers with a end formed for grabbing pins is also advisable. Be sure to at least read a bit of material on how to get the plug out, otherwise your going to have a hell of a time getting it back in.

Good luck!

[Eyes_Only]

Check out these two thread on re-keying a lock,

viewtopic.php?t=10505

and

viewtopic.php?t=22090

[simon_G]

Thanks much for the help guys ^^

@eyes_only: I live in a very small and crappy town in England, and the only store that sells locks anywhere near me is wilkinsons.. so not a lot of range as you can see.

I will have a look next time im in town and see if i can find one that's re-keyable.. will it have 're-keyable' written on the package if it is? Unfortunatly there selection is limeted, so its possible that i wont be able to see the back plate on the locks there.

And as to a plug-follower, where could i get one from, or, failing that, what could I use to improvise?

Once again, thanks alot for the fast responce, wasent expecting anything till tommorow at the earliest ^^

- Simon

[UWSDWF]

I will have a look next time im in town and see if i can find one that's re-keyable.. will it have 're-keyable' written on the package if it is? Unfortunatly there selection is limeted, so its possible that i wont be able to see the back plate on the locks there.

no it won't be on the package.... buy a cheap deadbolt lock... you will be able to rekey it.

And as to a plug-follower, where could i get one from, or, failing that, what could I use to improvise?

Lot's of improvised things.. search around you'll find some ideas.. I use a piece of copper pipe... or buyone on line

Once again, thanks alot for the fast responce, wasent expecting anything till tommorow at the earliest ^^

- Simon

Stop using those ^^ ... or I will find you and choke the life from you

[simon_G]

Alright, you guys have helped immeasurably, you have yet more of my thanks, and thats settled the topic for me.

- Simon

[davou]

a retaining plate (piece of metal that holes the plug in place with a pair of screws on mine)

Sorry, this is called a cam

Good luck!

[mark!]

Just go for the cheapest yale cylinder mate take the horse shoe shaped washer of the back and the plug will come out.Use a piece of dowel or anything close to the diamiter of the plug to push it out so the pins dont fly out and get mixed up or lost.Then just take out as many pins as you want to,slide the plug back in,refit the retaining washer and away you go!

[simon_G]

hmm.. i think they do sell yale locks at wilkensons.. not sure, but ill check soon, thanks

- Simon

[donjon]

And as to a plug-follower, where could i get one from, or, failing that, what could I use to improvise?

I use a wooden spoon

[screamdud]

you could also buy a cut-away lock online, you can see the pins while u pick it and i believe u can also re-pin them. they rnt too expensive and from what i hear they r the best.

[UWSDWF]

you could also buy a cut-away lock online, you can see the pins while you pick it and i believe you can also re-pin them. they are not too expensive and from what i hear they are the best.

NO bad bad .... don't suggest things you don't know about.... when picking you must learn to rely on feel and not sight... these lock teach you the latter.....

also note in the quote box i made your post look the way it should.

[Eyes_Only]

Cut-away locks in my opinion are novelty items. There are cut-away locks for high security locks that are fun to collect just cos but in reality such an aid for basic locks will just hinder your learning process. I've never owned a cut-away lock in the nearly 8 years I've been picking and never needed one. It'll make you develop a bad habit of relying on visual help to pick locks when that is the last thing you want in your efforts to become a proficient picker.

[simon_G]

Hmm.. i thought the same about cutaway locks.. all the other ones you have to pick arent cut away, so if you learn to pick ones you can see, youl struggle when your picking normal ones..

though i confess i was tempted to buy one a while ago, just to get me past the poke and prod method.. but if i can get a re-keyable one i should be alright