Interchangeable pins practice locks

[luisc]

Hi everybody,

I am new to lock picking and was wondering where I can get practice locks that would enable me replace/add/remove pins as I see fit.

I have been searching online but the classic sites only offer practice locks with a fixed amount of pins (either 1,2,3,4 or 5) but I remember seeing one in some website that one could re-pin to different amounts if pin or even replace with spool or serrated pins.

Thanks in advance for any replies!!!

[bumber]

are you looking for some kind of clear or cutaway type of practice lock or just a regular lock that you can change the pins in and practice on?

Most kwikset locks you cn easily take apart and repin really easy, also there are some cheap no name locks that are also easy to repin...any department or hardware store should have kwikset locks.

[J-Hood]

The newer Schlage F-series knob locks have a spring loaded top and security pins. If you buy one new and are careful you could take the lock apart and topload the cyl to suit your need. The cover snaps on and off and can be bent down carefully to stay on. They are decently priced ($20ish) at the big box stores. Just be careful to not lose the springs or pins and try to find a lock with a key with high variability (high and low cuts). Plus a knob lock is easier to hold in your hand.

I would just keep the pinning in the same order (ie. same as the key so you can always get it open to change it) until you are extremly confident in your skills. That would still allow you to load the first and third chamber and then the first and forth and then a combination off any three and so forth. It is a harder lock to learn on because of the security pins and a kwickset DB is still a better beginner lock...

Jason

[vitti]

I'd also recommend a Kwikset deadbolt. You can get a double cylinder (uses a key on both sides of the door, giving you two locks in one package) deadbolt for less than $20. Home depot sells a re-keying kit for kwikset for $10 that will give you plenty of pins to play with as well as a plug follower and cheap but effective plastic tweezers for $10.

Read the re-pinning thread and watch this video. No need to buy a customized lock to re-pin it yourself.

[J-Hood]

Home depot sells a re-keying kit for kwikset for $10 that will give you plenty of pins to play with as well as a plug follower and cheap but effective plastic tweezers for $10.

Really??? Is this nationwide or just regional?? I don't even go in thier lock section normally, and especially not when one of the guys is cutting a key.

Jason

[luisc]

Hey,

Thanks for the lightspeed replies.

That tutorial on re-pinning locks is awesome.

Thanks also for all the info on where to get the stuff. I was about ordering a one hundred bucks practice lock set and might end up spending 40!!!

Be bad have fun guys. Later.

[Eyes_Only]

Just make sure you don't buy a Kwikset Smart Key by accident. Very cheap lock that can be easily destroyed or bypassed but extremely difficult to pick. Since it came out last year I've opened them by picking maybe only twice, and thats cos I knew what pinning combination it was.

[ialma]

Buy one or two cheap euro double cylinders (5 to 10 € each in any shop, like these http://www.cisa.com/flex/cm/pages/Serve ... AID%3D2014
).

Get a decent brand name just to have something well machined.
Cut in half the locks, so to have two identical locks, and remove ring and lock core.

For example, opening a couple of not-so-expensive CISA I found :
A normal pin, three mushrooms and a serrated pin

With ten different pins (or twenty if you buy two similar locks) you can practice with dozens of different combinations.

[poor paperclip picker]

I'd also recommend a Kwikset deadbolt. You can get a double cylinder (uses a key on both sides of the door, giving you two locks in one package) deadbolt for less than $20. Home depot sells a re-keying kit for kwikset for $10 that will give you plenty of pins to play with as well as a plug follower and cheap but effective plastic tweezers for $10.

Read the re-pinning thread and watch this video. No need to buy a customized lock to re-pin it yourself.

Also if you guys have a Menards (these stores might just be in my region) I picked up a schlage re-pinnig kit for $7. They also had kwickset re-pinning kits.