I guess I don't understand

[houseonfire]

I've been picking locks (i think) for a few months now.
But I think im confused.

When I pick a lock, It seems the lock opens when I push all the pins up, so when you look in the lock, you cannot see any.
But I believe this is the incorrect way. But I'm not sure since I self taught myself to pick locks.
When I try to just push up the pins, until it just happens to open, I cant seem to get it to work.
But I think the way that I usually do it, is the wrong way, and it cant possibly work for every lock.

Can someone explain to me how it is really suppose to work?

Thank you.

[PickFree]

When you talk of pushing all the pins up, that's a little like raking and if you havea rather cheap or old lock it might work just to randomly push them up all at once (i have a lock like that).

I would start picking each pin at a time, there are some good lock guides around explaining it. So instead of just pushing them all up you feel through the lock with a pick and push each one up, one at a time, depending on which one is binding.

As a start point i suggest thoroughly going through the MIT guide to lock picking. It's where a lot of people start and it's excellent.

[PickFree]

Just thought i'd link the guide for you, you'll need a pdf reader to read it, adobe or foxit reader are both good.

www.lysator.liu.se/mit-guide/MITLockGuide.pdf

[ToolyMcgee]

What type of lock are you picking?

If you are lifting all of the pins up so that you can't see them at all, then you may be pushing the whole pin stack past the shearline and into the bible. Some locks are vulnerable to this kind of picking, and they even make a special kind of pick to do it. It is not the recommended way and will crush your springs and possibly smash your top pins forever in the bible.

You are supposed to find the binding pin and push it up until it sets, then move on to the next binding pin and so on. There is tons of literature on the boards about it. Use the good ol' search and find something to help you.

So I don't have to answer in the other thread I use wiper blade inserts.

[houseonfire]

Alright. Thanks everyone for helping me out.

[Archive555]

When you talk of pushing all the pins up, that's a little like raking and if you havea rather cheap or old lock it might work just to randomly push them up all at once (i have a lock like that).

I was going to say it sounds like completely pushing the pins into the top chamber, as is what those Comb picks are for (To the extent of my knowledge). When you rake, you hit the pins with such force that they jump up and are likely to catch on the shear line. I dunno.

[test]

Hi Houseonfire

How many different locks do you have? I suggest trying a new brand.

The cheapest locks I've seen new are called generically "Jimmy Proof Lock*". Google yielded this as a useful image

You should be able to find a replacement cylinder with keys for between $6-8. Try your mom and pop hardware store, or a "we have everything" corner store.

I don't think you will be able to pick one of these by jamming all of the pins up. But you should be able to pick it fairly easily once you get the knack.


* These locks are surprisingly easy to Jimmy open unless you latch them after closing the door, but then the key doesn't work...