Universal Lockpick?

[BOUBOU]

Well sorry... Since I am french I made a mistake with my translation... In fact I use my Backdoor that has 2 lock... so there's no problem

But thank for the advice, I didn't know it could break the lock...

[UEDan]

Universal Lockpick: C4, termite(sp?), a car.

[/spam post]

[ObiWonShinobi]

Pins can get scratched.... and then get stuck from not moving smoothly.
If a scratched bottom pin gets pushed into the plug, and moves partly
above the shearline.... then it gets stuck..... the door wont open.

if the pick breaks INSIDE the lock.... then the key wont fit.
(How smaal are your fingers?)

Most homemade picks have tiny burrs on them, the inside of the lock
is made of SOFT metal. It flakes and metal powder builds up.
This can clog the lock.
Look at the tips of your picks.... are they yellow or gold yet?
This is from Copper or Brass Powder from cutting tiny pits in the pins
and the plug.
This is also how the pins get scratched.

[Jaakko]

Most homemade picks have tiny burrs on them, the inside of the lock
is made of SOFT metal. It flakes and metal powder builds up.
This can clog the lock.
Look at the tips of your picks.... are they yellow or gold yet?
This is from Copper or Brass Powder from cutting tiny pits in the pins
and the plug.
This is also how the pins get scratched.

If this is the case, get some sandpaper (120, 240, 400, 600) and sand those picks smooth. Works better and doesn't ruin the lock.

[BOUBOU]

That's what I did I've sand all my pick with some 200 sandpaper and it is smooth. It seems I need to practice more

[mercurial]

That's what I did I've sand all my pick with some 200 sandpaper and it is smooth. It seems I need to practice more

Welcome to the site and great to hear you are already getting into making your own picks!

You're well on the way if you have already figured out the imprtance of sanding, but it is well worth your time using even finer grades of paper once you're done with the 200grit.

I use 200grit as the final part of shaping the pick & rounding off any sharp edges, after that I will work upwards until at least 800grit, sometimes higher.

There are some here who go as far as using up to 2000grit sandpaper, available at shops that sell car-bodywork products (it is used for polishing paintwork), to achieve a mirror finish. For those seeking the ultimate finish, polishing cloths and polishing compound powder are also useful, but this is starting to verge on overkill.

A pick performs so much better when it is really smooth, it moves more freely in the lock, it gives better feedback and it also causes far less scratching/wear inside the lock.

I'd suggest getting some even finer sandpaper, you will notice the difference.

I know you understand about not picking locks that are in use, but do buy a practice lock - a deadbolt cylinder is cheap to buy, and you can repin it.

This means you can work your way through digital_blue's training exercise - this definately one of the most useful & effective aids when learning this fascinatng art. Check out this link if you haven't seen it already : http://www.lockpicking101.com/viewtopic.php?t=10677

If you fill in your location on your profile, we can reccommend a good practice lock that will be easy for you to find to start out with, but any cheap deadbolt cylinder will suffice.

...Mark