ARCHIVE 2003-2013 Introduce yourself HERE if you are new. :)

[T-S]

Hey all!

I'm an undergraduate studying Computer Science at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

Hope to talk to you soon.

-T

[marshaz]

hi to all this site is great i have learned more on here than all the internet....... thanks to all with the good info p.s where can i get a good curtain pick from...cheers

[johnl]

My name is John, live in the USA. I have an undergraduate degree in Physics, minored in math and computer science. I like working on small engines, lawnmowers are easy, 2 cycles (chainsaws) are more of a challenge. I have a chicago cabinet lock at work that is locked and the key is lost. That got me interested in lock picking. I bought a SouthOrd 20 piece set and the Visual Guide to Lockpicking. So far I have been able to pick a cheap padlock, and a Masterlock padlock. The masterlock is more difficult. I bought a cheap deadbolt to take apart to practice on, it is keyed on both sides, hopefully the interior side has no security pins. I read the MIT guide to lockpicking. I want to get to the point that I can single pick pin tumbler locks by feel. So far I think I am getting lucky with the padlocks more so than being skillfull at it. I have masterlock single dial cobo lock and a cheaper clone that I have tried to decode. So far I have gotten nowhere. I like the mechanics of it all, and I can do it inside when it is too cold outside to work on the engines. I like the site and hope to learn more about the hobby.

JohnL

[kaiga]

I am also new and have been lurking for a long time and love this site.

[ThisSocks]

I was thinking about this old guide I had downloaded from the internet a long, long time ago and after a Google search for that I found this site which seems to have a lot of info.
So you people have gained another friendly lurker ;)

[tomsierrafeed]

Hi-
New to the trade (12/1/08). Am apprenticing with a locksmith in the Sacramento area. I'm trying to impression a Ford ignition. Not as easy as it looks.
This site seems to be a great resource. Looking forward to reading what others say regarding locksmithing.

Merry Christmas,
tomsierrafeed

[jwicker]

Hi all.
Great info on this site !! Glad I found it.

I am 2 months into starting my mobile locksmith and security (CCTV) business.
Not too many jobs yet...still gathering inventory and stocking my van.

Have most of the tools I think I'll need (aside from a GOOD auto opening kit).

Still setting up my van with inverter, battery, lights, etc.

Done some auto and residential lockout openings.
Key making and rekeying, etc.

Thanks
jwicker
indiana, usa

[fortyfive4life]

First post intro, OK, just my latest obsession really. It's a real challenge. I kind o found it backwards I guess. There are a couple of locks I started looking at which I didn't have the key and I remembered seeing something on the internet about picking so I decided to look it up. Here I am! Still have the loks and still have not gotten into them! So I think I will enjoy learning all I can from this site!.

[gort]

hello all just here to say hi to everyone if there is anyone who might have some tools for sale espicially auto stuff that would be great or anything that might help a begginer would be good all have a good x mass

[paul pablo]

Just a quick Hi, to intrduce myself, Im not only new to locks/and lockpicking but also to computers so please forgive any mistakes, As I said I am new to lockpicking etc, But as a Brit, now living and working on the costa del sol Spain, locks are not only becoming part of my work life (Im a builder/maintenance man ) Letting in holiday makers in when they lose there keys etc. But an infectious hobby of soving an endless supply of puzzles. thanks for a great site. P s anyone else out there near Malaga Spain ??

[Woodhead]

Hi all,

I've just bought myself a basic lock picking set and have come here to learn.

I'm a firefighter in Australia and have thought it would be useful on the job. I guess that motivation encouraged me but I think I have always just been interested in learning regardless (and might be using that as an excuse!)

Anyway - of course my first attempt today on my front door has been quite fruitless (maybe a little optomistic) but then I found a small padlock which opened (if only by pure luck raking back and forth!).

Obviously I have a lot to learn!

[LarrySDonald]

Hello there.

I'm a 34 y/o programmer/server maint guy originally from Sweden. I've been fascinated with bypassing locks since my childhood but never took it terribly seriously or got any good so it never went anywhere, I'd try to make some picks every other year or so, try until I messed them up with no success and then move on. I've been in the US for a decade now and noticed locks (at least in my area) look pretty lame compared to the Swedish ones, perhaps in part because I usually grew up in near-unpopulated areas where most locks/security was expected to withstand long attacks in complete privacy. A few weeks ago I came on a small padlock with a lost key and decided to try again, playing with a few bent bobby pins. It actually worked pretty well and in no time it was trivial. I shelled for another better (still no-name) padlock and managed it as well after a while. In no time at all it replaced speedcubing as my "something to do on the couch while the others watch TV" (never was a big TV fan). A few days ago I got a Brinks 2101-105 in an attempt to upgrade a bit (the easiest looking one that wasn't junk). To my disappointment it popped in only five minutes or so, but to my relief it must have been beginners luck because I've only gotten it open twice since. Loving the info here, been here off and on since the "first light" a few weeks ago. Not sure how much I have to add, but I can be pretty crafty so who knows :-).

[tincatinca]

What do i say Joined about 10 minutes ago. I have only been trading as a locksmith for the last 6 months before this i was an engineer.

[Craneman]

Hi to all on 101.
I'm Craneman aka Gaz,
Found this site few days ago thought it was really good so decided to join.
Totally new to lock picking & wanted a hobby to stop me brain fadding & to give me something else to do other than pick things up and put down again.
Been watching loads of vids on picking and reading loads, just about to buy my first set of picks a
23pc GOSO Multi-Pick Set. ( they look pretty good ) then put some practice locks together, then crack on.
Whilst picking up tips from you all
So goodbye for now. d:)

[paul pablo]

Hi all just a quick question, ABUS has got a new 16 pin lock with curved keyway, I know its too hard for me just yet , but has anyone had a play with it yet, sound like hours of fun, regards paulpablo