Newbie oversetting pins

[johnl]

Yes, I am a newbie. I find that I have the most trouble with oversetting, or raising the key pins into the cylinders and traping them. I try to just lift the key pins to the shear line, but it seems like the pick, just in passing across the key pins raises them too far. I am able to pick a cheap "task force" off brand solid aluminum padlock, and a laminated Masterlock #3 padlock. But usually I end up trapping the key pins and starting over. I have a solid brass body padlock from topbrass.com ( WILSON BOHANNAN ) that I can't pick. Great site, and great tutorials

[ToolyMcgee]

Use less tension on the wrench and you'll have to use less lifting force with the pick, that way you will be able to stop at the shearline and let the keypin drop instead of feeling the shearline as it passes by. Does that makes sense? Like writing with a pencil you need adequate force to make a mark, not rip through the page. So instead of using more tension in hopes of stopping the keypin at the shearline, you use less so you are more in control of the pins when they reach the shearline and you can stop before you overlift. Hope that helps. I'm sure you'll be tearing through that master in no time, then the WB with a tiny bit more practice.


-Tooly

[barbarian]

........but it seems like the pick, just in passing across the key pins raises them too far.

Can you try a different pick ? Is the keyway small ?

Good advice from ToolyMcgee.

[johnl]

Thankyou for the advice. I made a smaller pick from window wiper rail and it helps some.

[raimundo]

Your trying too hard, turn on the tv and find a program you like, hold the lock while watching the show, put light tension on it and then tell yourself your just feeling around in the lock, not trying to 'feel a pin set' just feeling around with the pick, pay attention to the tv, your over thinking the picking. let us know if it opens during the first program you watch.