Beginner who broke two locks by trying to pick them

[Jomizo]

I'm a beginner and I purchased a Kwikset lock to practice with. After trying to pick the lock a while it became impossible to unlock the lock even with the key. I discovered that only the second from the back pin hole impeded the cylinder from turning. When I left the second from the back pin hole pinless the key worked and I was able to pick the lock.

After I picked the Kwikset lock many times I attempted to pick my dorm room lock. I managed to pick the lock a few times but somehow I damaged the lock and now my key doesn't fit into the lock.

Does any one have any ideas on what I'm doing that causes my locks to break? I use a pick that's not perfectly smooth. Is that a problem?

Also does any one have any ideas about how to fix my dorm room lock that the key will not fit into?

[gremner]

Ouch. Call a locksmith. That's why we don't pick locks we rely on. Sorry you had to learn the hard way.

[freakparade3]

Whwn you picked your dorm room lock did you turn the cylinder 180 degrees? If so it's likely the driver pins have fallen into the keyway. It's easy to fix this by using your pick to push the driver pins back up and turn the cylinder back with a tension wrench. Look into the keyway with a flashlight and see what in there. By the way, DO NOT PICK LOCKS YOU RELY ON. I'll check back here pretty often tonight in case you need more help.

[JackNco]

I love how there must have been a moment where you though to your self

Oh, so I do this and it breaks locks.... Ill do the same to the one on my door

Anyway back to your problem.

As freakparade3 said. could be that you have let the key pins drop in to the key way. push them up to the shear line and your golden.

As for the first one. you could have worn down the pin, ive done the same on a lock before with very aggressive raking when I was first starting out. but that took weeks. Unless you have some very very sharp Home brew picks its unlikely. but giving them a sand couldn't hurt either way. If you were seeing brass filings coming out that could have been it i guess, It would explain why the key would no longer work.

All the best

John

[criminalhate]

I'd say in your case hide the picks then call the dorm's super and have them look at it. Next time go buy a pad lock to pick. That way if it does break you not going to get yourself kicked out of the dorms.

[Eyes_Only]

I would first jam some tooth picks in there too and tell the supervisors that you just got back from a local 7/11 for some sodie pops when you found the lock on your door in that state so you won't get blamed.

[robotmaxtron]

I would first jam some tooth picks in there too and tell the supervisors that you just got back from a local 7/11 for some sodie pops when you found the lock on your door in that state so you won't get blamed.

haha, when in a tough spot...blame it on somebody else!

[locksportboy]

i had the same problem first time i picked the key doesnt fits it goes on stucking and the lock is half opened then i took my pick and push the pins upwards by using tension then it rotates back again 180 degrees .u have to rotate it all the way 360 then it will open

[Schuyler]

In a dorm your lock is certainly mastered, and in this case, you can actually eject the master wafers from the plug/bible when you invert it, which will either make your key inoperable, or the masterkey inoperable.

Case-in-point:
viewtopic.php?t=14143&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

[Eyes_Only]

OoOOOoo, good point. But that creates an excellent opportunity to study impressioning.