I've learned a couple of things.......

[Bailey Boat]

When I made my first post about being successful in picking a deadbolt I was using 2 or 3 different methods. I guess my skills have increased since I now find it just as easy to SPP. Once I caught onto it, a lot of the threads I read here made more sense. Thanks to everyone!!!!!!

Second, since my practice locks have gotten a little too easy I've graduated to doing some of the locks around my house. What I have discovered on that front is that there is a world of difference between picking a lock in your hand and picking one installed in a door. My times to success tripled because of the angle involved. Plus, I found out that kneeling on one knee too long isn't good for 58 year old joints, a folded hand towel helps some.

Basically I'm having a ball playing with locks and now view each of them as a challenge and a puzzle...... Onward and upward... so to speak....

[vitti]

I learned that if you put a pick in your shirt pocket while playing with a lock, don't try to wipe your brow on your sleeve.

[maxxed]

picking locks on the job is very different than practicing with a lock in your hand. Bad weather, poor lighting, and awkward positions are fairly normal situations and can really make a simple lock a challenge.
I recently did an opening that did not have enough clearance in front of the lock to even insert a lock pick, I had to bend a piock to a 45 degree angle and pick the lock that way . That felt really weird to work.

BTW it is not a good idea to practice picking locks that you rely on, mount a lock on an interior door for practice and leave your perimiter locks alone

[Bailey Boat]

BTW it is not a good idea to practice picking locks that you rely on, mount a lock on an interior door for practice and leave your perimiter locks alone

Under normal circumstances I would agree but I'm getting ready to rekey all of my entry door deadbolts, it seems that we have a key missing?????? I think I know where it is and it's not a threat but I'd rather be safe than sorry.......

Bending a pick to 45 degrees and working would be about as difficult as a dentist working while looking in a mirror all day....... I do not see how they keep right and left straight!!!!!

[ShanePicklefish]

BTW it is not a good idea to practice picking locks that you rely on, mount a lock on an interior door for practice and leave your perimiter locks alone

Under normal circumstances I would agree but I'm getting ready to rekey all of my entry door deadbolts, it seems that we have a key missing?????? I think I know where it is and it's not a threat but I'd rather be safe than sorry.......

Bending a pick to 45 degrees and working would be about as difficult as a dentist working while looking in a mirror all day....... I do not see how they keep right and left straight!!!!!

Re-keying doesn't really have anything to do with it. You shouldn't pick locks you rely on because you could break your lock, and not being able to open that door until a real locksmith can open it up. Or, even if it's open, you have no way to close it until you can replace the lock. Also, why so many exclamation and question marks?

[Bailey Boat]

Shane, if I'm capable of re-keying my own locks don't you think I would be capable of repairing a lock with a broken pick in it????? As far as my punctuation goes....... I like multiple marks...... and besides..... their FREE!!!!!!!!

[maxxed]

A broken pick is not the only thing that can go wrong while practicing, a quick scan of the topic headings will confirm this. Anything with the word help or " i'm in trouble" will show how many people have got in over their heads.On this site it is frowned upon to practice on locks you rely on irregardless of the persons abilities.
Bailey in all fairness you were not clear in your post that you were capeable of rekeying the locks yourself and Shane was just upholding this site stand on the issue.
Bailey welcome to the site and I hope to see you participate in the future

[raimundo]

the nubies usually let the top pins drop into the slot when the plugs 180 degrees, then they have a choice, panic, or think about it. the ones we hear about are the ones that panic'd, we explain how to stroke the pins back up, and continue on.

Other significant nuby fucups are letting a dorm room master wafer fall into that same slot and get out of the lock with no way to know which collumn it came from.

[Afisch]

Add to that having all of the inards of a lock fly everywhere, this happened when I was repairing a lever lock but it sucks with tumblers just as much.

[Bailey Boat]

Okay, let me put this to rest, I have been in multi family property management and ownership for almost 26 years and when it comes to a pin tumbler type lock there is nothing that I can't do. I have taught maintenance guys (and girls) how to key by code, pin to a key and anything else they have wanted to know about pin tumbler locks.

Hopefully everyone notices the emphasis on pin tumbler, that's all I know about, but I do know everything (including how to pick them now) about them that there is to know. If I screw up a deadbolt there are probably a dozen laying out in the shop for replacement.

I totally understand everyone warning newbies to not mess with locks that they depend upon, but I didn't feel that I was in that catagory........

[Grifter]

It's all good man, take a deep breath. In with the good air, out with the bad.

You made a post talking about the first time you picked a lock being your first post, on a forum you joined less than a month ago, the assumption is that you were new to locks/lock picking, hence the advice.

People were spreading a little friendly advice. Can't we all just get along??????...?

[zsoutendijk]

im pretty sure you can fix a lock thats been broken, all it is, is a couple of springs and pins... i fixed numerous locks like this!

-Zack

[raimundo]

My own post was about explaining the rep of nubie in general and not implying anything about anyone who resembles it.