Some Newbie Qs

[Seachmall]

So I got my first pick-set from lockpickshop.com and was practicing on a lock I had lying around. I can get 3 or 4 pins(I think there is 5) but after a while noticed I was having a specific problem with the first pin. So I was wondering if you need to pick the pins in a specific order? I got this impression from a couple of tuts but others mention nothing of it so maybe I'm just interpreting it wrong.

Also, about tension, at the moment I put tension until the cylinder doesn't turn anymore but is that too much? Could that be my problem that I'm forcing the cylinder? Should it just be an uber-light tension or do I put pressure on it till it moves no more and maintain that tension?

P.S. Its a tri-circle 262 lock, a tiny thing (I had a bigger one but can't seem to find it).

Thanks is advance.

[robotmaxtron]

There is a specific order most of the time it's called the binding pin rule. If you can't quite feel for the binding pin just try picking back to front or front to back until you start to feel for the pins.

as for tension experiment with light to moderate tension on it. You'll eventually get the hang of what you need to apply.

Keep practicing, remember this is supposed to be fun.

[unlisted]

Keep practicing, remember this is supposed to be fun.

WHY WAS I NEVER INFORMED ABOUT THIS "fun"?!?!?

[dougfarre]

DOUG"S SUPER QUICK GUIDE TO LOCK PICKING FOR EVERYONE
Written APRIL 28th, 2008

There is no specific order to picking the pins, you are looking for the binding pin first.

When finding the biding pin, you push up any pin in the lock while applying tension. If it feels springy, then it is not binding; if you push up on a pin and it is hard to move, then it is binding.

When you slowly push up on the binding pin, then you will maybe experience something in one of your 3 senses (feel, hear, see). The plug may move a tiny bit, it may make a clicking noise, or you may feel the lock do something weird. It may do nothing at all, which sometimes is the case. In this situation, you give up and try a different lock. (:))

Now, if you think you picked that pin, then go back and try to push up on it again. If you cant find the pin anymore then it is probably stuck up at the shear line, then you probably need to let up on the tension or start over., If you find the pin and it is really easy to move up and down, and there is absolutely no spring tension on it, then that pin is picked.

Now repeat for the rest of the pins.

To answer your second question, your level of tension on the lock depends totally on whether or not you are able to find and successfully pick the binding pins or not. Your going to have to figure it out yourself.[/quote]

[Seachmall]

Thanks guys, I'm still having trouble with it but I'm sure if I keep at it I'll get it.

[Snosnipe]

Well, 1st off, do not apply too much tension. Tension is just as important as the true picking. Apply only as much tension as you would on your eyeball. each lock has a "shear line" where the pins will seperate and therefore, unlocking the lock. this is how you pick, and if your lock has 5 pins, may i suggest getting an easier lock?

Good luck,
SNO

[StabbyJoe]

getting a lock with fewer than 5 pins is preferable for a beginner... Or grab a deadlock and take some pinstacks out (lots of tuts on it).
The way I find the binding pin is by applying tension and push my hook pick in and out, brushing the key pins... onn binding ones will budge and not stop the pick, but the binding pick should obstruct the pick slightly.
Pick it in the way mentioned above (good guide btw) and continue on to the next pin.

I strongly suggest reducing the number of pin stacks in a deadlock down to 2, and practice feeling which one is binding and which is not, and rather than try to pick the lock as fast as possible, try and get a feel for what binding and non-binding pins feel like... work your way up from there

Good luck
~Stabby

[grv575]

Also, get in practice of holding the pick like a pencil - exactly like figure 3 here: http://www.crypto.com/papers/notes/picking/

You can lever against the bottom of the keyway when picking, but also try not doing this and inserting the pick like the key would go in - straight (not at an angle) and right below the pins. Then, holding the pick like a pencil, feel for where the pins are and feel the resistance of the springs as you push them up slightly and let them fall back down. Get the hang of this part - it's imperative to be good at locating each pin (you can start from the back of the keyway, lift up with the pick and then pull towards you to find the last pin - then lower the pick ever so slightly and lift to lift the last pin) and feeling whether it's stuck/binding or resisted by just spring tension or no spring tension (the top pin is picked above the shear line, the bottom pin is loose) or likely past the shear line (is it really high up in the shell?).