How much tension?

[freezingfingers]

I just started out the hobby lockpicking and after messing around for about 2 hours I have managed to get the perfect amount of tension I needed to begin beating the pins. Although I successfully pushed all of the pins and unlocked the lock I am not exactly sure how much tension I used when I did this. Will someone please tell me how much tension I need to apply or maybe a trick to knowing when you have the perfect amount of tension applied on the lock.

[criminalhate]

it all comes down to feel. No two locks are going to be the same for the amount of tension either. Basically use as little tension as possible while still have enough to hold the pins at the shear line.

[fuzz]

every now and then vary the tension, restart and keep trying, do a little light tension at first and eventually release and start again, with more tension

[Marco]

There is no one answer to 'how much tension do I need to apply?'. This all comes down to the model of the lock, and personal preferences. The less tension you use, the harder it will be to distinguish a binding pin, but the pin will be easier to push up. If you use more tension, the binding pin will be easier to find, but will require a lot more pressure from your pick to push up.

If your lock has security pins in it, lets say spools, and you keep getting a false set, then you are using too much tension. If the spool pins set correctly the first time they are lifted, then you are using a correct amount of tension.

[NKT]

I'd disagree with that, Marco.

You will get a false set before the lock opens, if it has security spools, no matter the tension you use, unless you are very lucky.

The tension to use is what you need to learn. It is the amount that holds the least bound of the binding pins you have so far lifted into position in position. Any less and a pin will drop back, any more and the lock will be too solid to work on.

A good lock forces you to hold a very, very small gap between too much and too little, and the best ones? Well, they seem to have no gap!

[LockNewbie21]

I like to crank the tension to be sure i found the binding pin.. this help in locks with high tollerences.

When you find the binding pin and begin to lift, let off the tension slightly and as soon as you here the click, apply more tension and repeat that until its open.

If oyu find it did not open, losin tension a bit and poke around.

caution when using this method, alwys leave off the tension slightly so to not break or bend you picks.

Hope that helps buddy, keep practicing.

ln21

[freezingfingers]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the help.

[Trip Doctor]

I like to crank the tension to be sure i found the binding pin.. this help in locks with high tollerences.

When you find the binding pin and begin to lift, let off the tension slightly and as soon as you here the click, apply more tension and repeat that until its open.

If oyu find it did not open, losin tension a bit and poke around.

caution when using this method, alwys leave off the tension slightly so to not break or bend you picks.

Hope that helps buddy, keep practicing.

ln21

Wow, I do that too. I never really heard anyone else suggesting this so I thought I was just weird, but I guess not .

[josh0094]

EG: my disk lock ill use ALOT of tension on because its rusty crusty. my stanly 40MM ill use barely any because its all shiney and easy to pick

[NKT]

You aren't really cranking the tension, though. On a good lock, only a tiny increase, compared to what you had already, will bind the lock. A newbie is likely to be using far, far more tension than that already!

Padlocks break the rules totally, due to the spring on the shackle. You need far more tension.

[uberwaboose]

The MIT guide to lockpicking has an exercise on this.

The minimum torque you will use is just enough to overcome the ction of rotating the
plug in the hull. Use your torque wrench to rotate the plug until it stops. Notice how much
torque is needed to move the plug before the pins bind. This force can be quite high for
locks that have been left out in the rain. The minimum torque for padlocks includes the
force of a spring that is attached between the plug and the shackle bolt.

To get a feel for the maximum value of torque, use the
at side of the pick to push all
the pins down, and try applying enough torque to make the pins stay down after the pick is
removed. If your torque wrench has a twist in it, you may not be able to hold down more
than a few pins.

This is a pretty broad range, but it gives you something to work off of.