You sure do have alot of questions. Just a tip, I don't know how to use the search either. I think it stinks.
I brings up the most recent and worthless junk for me everytime, but I found the solution before I even became a member. Get a pad and paper, take a deep breath and dive into the archives. Pad and paper is so you can keep track of what page of what forum you saw what, so the next time you dive in you know where you were. I don't expect everyone do this, but you seem inquisitive enough maybe you'll give it a go. After about 10 pages you'll know what to skip over, but don't be fooled. Some of the best info lies in common looking threads.
Enough of my rambling, here's a couple links for you.
SPP and raking
http://www.lockpicking101.com/viewtopic.php?t=33575
Spool pins
http://www.lockpicking101.com/viewtopic.php?t=37284
Security pin difficulties
http://www.lockpicking101.com/viewtopic.php?t=36090
It's a fairly common topic. The solution however is always the same, less is more, variable tension, practice daily. If you look at the post numbers and the number of the page you are on you may see that these are from the very next page.
If you are having difficulty on a peticular lock spit it out, or type it into the search. This actually works sometimes otherwise nutz to the search, power to the reader.
-ToolyMcgee
I have just now noticed how I forgot to mention it entirely. I'll have to write it down and post it to the computer screen analog style!