Tools to improve my skills

[SystemeD]

Hi all,
I recently started lockpicking some very cheap padlocks I had and I opened them without any problems with paperclips, etc...
Now I'd like to know what to do next.
I'd like to buy a pickset but to pick what?
I saw that good padlocks and locks are expensive so what and where to buy products to test and improve my skills?

Thanks in advance!

[Beyond]

Dollar store or Wal Mart. Try craigslist now and then, and eBay for bulk deals.

If your interest is in automotive lock picking, call up local junkyard owners and try to create some form of deal that would let you come by once a week or something and practice on junk cars.

[freakparade3]

You can get deadbolt locks pretty cheap at stored like Wal-Mart. They have a brand called "Mountain Security" for about $8 you get a 5 pin deadbolt. It's a good starter lock.

[SystemeD]

Thanks for your reponse, but I forgot to tell that I live in France and I don't think I could buy from Walmart so I'll look for "Mountain Security" dealers in Europe.

However could you make a list of the best brand for practicing in order of difficulty (if it is possible)?

Last question is what picks are really necessary for a good set (except the specials one)?

Thank you very much!

[raimundo]

check CLUSIF.asso.fr and see if there is relevant information there for you.

[mrdan]

In my line of work I often run into clients changing their doors after break-in has occurred I usually ask if I can take the lock off the old door. They sometimes say yes and sometimes no. My point is, it might pay off to go around looking for places where the doors (and locks) are being either changed or removed and ask. Of course this is more effective if you look like you have good reason. I am an alarm tech / locksmith so it isn't too much of a stretch for me to have valid need of a lock. ( I usually tell them it is for training and practice and I can repair/recondition the lock to use for parts, etc...) Another place to ask is at self storage places. The current tenant doesn't pay rent and after a while they cut the locks and empty the shed. and then they have a bunch of cut padlocks. Sometimes they throw them away but sometimes they keep the carcasses in a bucket.

[freakparade3]

I'm sure in France there must be a wal-mart type discount store. They all sell locks. Just get a cheap deadbolt of any brand. With a deadbolt you can repin it to make it easier or more difficult to pick. As for tools, it depends on preferance. I only use hooks and rakes, but some people here only use half diamonds. I'd say if you have a few hooks of different sizes, a half diamond, and a few rakes you will have a good starter set. In my opinion having a large variety of tension tools is more important than having alot of picks. You can make tension tools out of windshield wiper blade inserts. Make several different lengths of tension tools and several with different bends to insert into the lock.

[Gordon Airporte]

In France they call a Target a "Tar-zhay".
Wal-Mart's a Wal-Mart but they call it "Le Wal-Mart".

[Deathadder]

two words, brinks shrouded.

you can get them from wal-mart

[freakparade3]

two words, brinks shrouded.

you can get them from wal-mart

For a beginner it's not a good choice. The Brinks shrouded lock is like a rite of passage with lockpickers. When you get comfortable picking regular padlocks and deadbolts try the Brinks shrouded. It wil likely take weeks or even months for you to learn to pick it, but when you finally do you will feel like you really accomplished something great!

[raimundo]

when you open a brinks shrouded for the first time, quickly relock it and redo the picking, that is how you will learn, there is some sense or feel that is indiscribable but that will still be in your hand at the time that it opens and you should be able to do it again in a relatively short time. besides the ineffable muscle memory the lock has just broken through the psychological barrier that made it seem unpickable.
When learning, when you succeed, just repeat right away, this is the best way to learn permanently

[Deathadder]

For a beginner it's not a good choice.

he said he wanted something harder lol

[SystemeD]

Thanks all for your answers! I'll give it a try but for the moment I really cannot find something like walmart here and "good" (I really don't know how much good is a vachette or abus) padlocks and deadbolt are really expensive 70-150€!!!

However I just spend 11€ to buy an Abus 55/30 and I opened it in 30 sec with paperclips!

I'd like to know if it could be repinned and how this could make it more difficult to pick?

Thanks again!

PS: Still waiting for info about dougfarre package....

[Squelchtone]

In France they call a Target a "Tar-zhay".
Wal-Mart's a Wal-Mart but they call it "Le Wal-Mart".

haha!

priceless..

+1 for the Pulp Fiction quote.