Do I Need To Buy All Of These To Start Off?

by **Afisch** » 21 Apr 2008 16:10

Super huge hooks, the (half)ball took enough stick earlier. You wont ever know whats good for you till you try unfortutely. (or maybe not

)

by **AlexMHH** » 27 Apr 2008 22:44

Personally, I love the Diamond (easier to feel pins than hook, less consistent on my locks that have high-low pinning) and the small pick. Additionally, the snake rake, and a slightly more jagged homemade copy (something like an asymetical W rake) always seem to come in handy when I'm trying to rake a lock open. I agree that the Large Hook picks that came in my set have never been used and are not useful on many locks. Also, I have never found much use for my snowman pick, but it could simply be my low level of experience: you, I'm just beginning to move my way up the difficulty level with Single Pin Picking.

by **StabbyJoe** » 28 Apr 2008 7:26

I'd say absolute basics would be the half diamond and hook... people generally decide on which they prefer and from then on it usually remains their #1 spp tool... after you've got your bread and butter covered work out what you want next...
I'm going pin and tumbler, and I don't plan to go into heavy raking, so that sort of shapes what sort of picks I'll get...

Experiment, see what you like and go from there...
Particularly you could get a snake rake to see if raking is your cup of tea... If you like it, you'll have a lot of different rakes to oogle at and experiment with... But if like me, you think raking is almost cheating unless you have a good reason (need to open the lock REAL fast or something) you'll probably end up with a few hooks, maybe 2 diamonds and experiment with things like a DeForest... Maybe a half ball if you pick wafers

Hope someone can actually find something useful in there O_o
~Stabby

by **MacGnG1** » 5 Jun 2008 23:43

revised list, need more feedback, thanks

SP-10 C Rake
SP-09 short hook
SP-07 small diamond
SP-12 L rake
SP-11 S rake
SP-13 extractor
TW-11 thin line standard
TW-18 double ended
TW-02 short twist flex
TW-01 standard
TW-03 long twist flex
VG-9 grips
SLS-09 slim line short hook
SLS-04 slim line small diamond

total cost: 23.50$

[ http://macgng.pastebin.com/f435960bb ]

by **David_Parker** » 6 Jun 2008 20:01

Picks to stay away from? Anything OVERSIZED. I doubt anyones really had any success with a full sized diamond. The deep hooks tend to get caught up. Remember, its not the picks that open the lock, its your hands. The picks are only an extension. Be wary of any picks that look 'toothed' or jagged. Look at the homebrew selection or sticky. Notice that when making them, everyone here cannot stress enough about how much they polish and smooth them out. You want something that can glide in and out of a keyway, not chew it up like some sort of saw blade. In time, you'll probably do away with the vinyl grips as well, and find that heat shrink tubing works well, or friction tape. Personally, I don't use any other than old HPC handles that are glued on. I'd say you've got a pretty good beginner set. Its always fun to start out and explore, but over time, you'll slim your selection down. But you'll always keep the others. I don't know why, but I seem to.

by **MacGnG1** » 6 Jun 2008 23:25

David_Parker: awesome man. yea ppl tell me i will find the pick i like and work with it. im gonna order them over the weekend and hopefully get them very soon. YAY!

by **MacGnG1** » 9 Jun 2008 17:07

finalized list (ordered and shipped already

)

SP-10 C Rake
SP-09 short hook
SP-07 small diamond
SP-12 L rake
SP-11 S rake
SP-13 extractor
TW-11 thin line standard
TW-18 double ended
TW-02 short twist flex
TW-01 standard
TW-03 long twist flex
TW-22 Euro Tension Tool
TW-23 Double Ended Euro Tension Tool
VG-9 grips
SLS-09 slim line short hook
SLS-04 slim line small diamond

by **MacGnG1** » 12 Jun 2008 22:01

just opened the package after i got home from work.

I havent had a chance to use them yet...

my GF bought the tools for my bday, and i have to fold her laundry b4 she gets home

so gimme an hour or so and ill be opening locks like nothin

by **MacGnG1** » 13 Jun 2008 23:47

So, after several hours last night with my master #3 i had no luck.

BUT today we went to walmart and I bought a black and decker double dead bolt. which is actually made by kwikset too. after less than 5 minutes i got it open. it might have been luck but i will try it some more.

when i have time, i will do DB's newbie exercise.

First Lock Picked: Saturday, June 14 2008 -- 12:38 AM

by **Mutzy** » 13 Jun 2008 23:55

Congrats, mate. If you're in a handyman mood, grab yourself a block of wood and mount the lock on it. It's such a cool feeling to have the lock picked, and to retract the bolt with a satisfying clunk.

by **Archive555** » 16 Jun 2008 2:41

I agree about mounting it, that way you have more of an idea of what it's like to pick a lock that is in a door (if you're interested in becoming a locksmith, that is).

And yes, the satisfying 'Clunk' after picking the lock is an added plus

by **MacGnG1** » 18 Jun 2008 12:20

yes i do want to mount it in some wood.
next task: to buy more locks.

so far i have a master#3 and a double deadbolt kwikset

im gonna hit up home depot in a bit to see what they have

i have checked out target/kmart/walmart and lowes today
I wanted to get an idea of prices. about 8-15 bucks for various locks

so i dunno if i missed the thread, but i want a pad lock that will help me learn and will be more helpful than just opening once.

im gonna repin the kwikset when i get a chance

THANKS

by **MacGnG1** » 20 Jun 2008 22:57

so wednesday i ended up buying a master 536 contractor grade padlock with a removable cylinder from homedepot for 10 bucks. very nice looking lock took me a lil bit but i got it within about 15-20 minutes to rake and then SPP it.

today however i went to walmart and i think i bought above my skill level

so i bought a brinks disc (flying saucer) pad lock and a brinks max security shrouded square padlock with security pins. spent about 20 bucks for both of them

i should have fun trying to open these

by **jpb06080** » 20 Jun 2008 23:53

Those are tough locks. The disc lock is called an R70, and requires heavier tension than most locks with security pins. The shrouded brinks is extremely difficult in my opinion. 6 serrated pins. It still takes me forevor to open mine.

by **MacGnG1** » 24 Jun 2008 17:13

jpb06080 wrote:Those are tough locks. The disc lock is called an R70, and requires heavier tension than most locks with security pins. The shrouded brinks is extremely difficult in my opinion. 6 serrated pins. It still takes me forevor to open mine.

well after working most of the afternoon on the r70, i got it open. this thing needs LOTS of tension. i was worried my tension wrench was gonna break!

Do I Need To Buy All Of These To Start Off?

picks you should stay away from

I PICKED MY FIRST LOCK!!!

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