Beginner's Lockpicking Exercise - by digital_blue

[slay2k]

Dont bother with practice cylinder's just buy bogstandered pin cylinders the cheaper the better to start with.Pickset's can be bought cheaper it's worth shopping around,a small bench vise is a must as for a follower just make one load's of idea's on site.Good luck and mastering this exersize lead's to guarenteed success. There are some decent repinning kit's on ebay at the moment well worth a look.

Okay, where would I find these 'bogstandard' cylinders ? And how much should I expect to spend ?

The rekeying kits on ebay seem to be for specific kinds of locks/cylinders, btw...

[digital_blue]

What he means is just buy a standard deadbolt or Key-In-Knob (KIK) cylinder. And the repinning kits you're looking for are called "universal pinning kits", or "universal re-keying kits" or some such thing. They generally come in .005 and .003 variants. They're not all that cheap, but might be worth having (I own one). You can really get by with one for just a kwikset or weiser if you're justing using it from a hobbyist perspective. Those are available at many hardware stores.

Cheers,

db

[MelbourneMagpie1]

And the repinning kits you're looking for are called "universal pinning kits", or "universal re-keying kits" or some such thing.

Does it even matter if you use the wrong pin size in a cylinder that you are using to practice picking?

I assume pin size refers to length not to width.

So if you use the wrong pin lengths all you are doing is guaranteeing that you won't be able to use the original key in the cylinder.

But it doesn't really matter if all you are doing is setting up different combinations for pick practice?

[digital_blue]

You can really get by with one for just a kwikset or weiser if you're justing using it from a hobbyist perspective. Those are available at many hardware stores.

Indeed.

[MelbourneMagpie1]

You can really get by with one for just a kwikset or weiser if you're justing using it from a hobbyist perspective. Those are available at many hardware stores.

not in australia - for any brand

my us net supplier can't get the aussie lockwood lab kit, even though lab makes it.

might just buy the generic kits and be done with it.

[robert11]

Really a very helpful information if we are in trouble related to lockpicking. Thanks

[Sir_Wojak]

Thank you for this guide, I know that you get that a lot but I'll say it again.
I am on step 3 and 4. I have a two sided lock and on one side I have 4 pins and on the other I have 3. The 3 side I can do pretty well, but I still struggle with the 4 pin side. But I always just go back to the 3 pin one for encouragement. : )

[digital_blue]

Glad this doc is still getting some milage.

db

[Afisch]

Been using the guide a while but yea its great. First repining was hard but i feel ive got it now. Having to repin the lock shouldnt put people off. It was more useful for me than simply picking lock after lock.

[Sandscratcher]

Hi all ~ just found you to day db you hit on the head, i've been poking and not really getting anywhere ~ spent this afternoon doing the first 3 stages and bingo ~ now i need to practice ~ thanks
Sandscratcher

[robin11]

Yes very good guide and very helpful in learning
lockpicking from begining...

GOOD

[martin12]

Hi,
very useful information for beginners and I really like to read that many times.

[jcurran11]

I've been "pokeing and proding" all day and i've unlocked it 100 times (5 pin lock) but everytime i feel like its just luck now when i use this method i get the full enjoyment and Rush i want from unlocking it

[digital_blue]

Aw shucks.

[Salfordian]

I have read this post 3-4 times and as a total newcomer to the art of picking locks, it still looks daunting lol. However I will try to get hold of a lock or three and a basic pick set then give it a go, it’s a wonderful tutorial and I am grateful for the help and indeed the knowledge shared on the forum.

Thank you
Salfordian