Keeping the tumbler up?

[hero89]

Hi, im new to picking and after reading a few faqs I am still confused on a few things. First off, I am practicing on an old master lock of mine, and i was wondering, what do u do with the tension pic? does the tension make the tumblers go up? and once they are up, can u take the other pic out and keep the tumblers up? I might have gotten some of the termonolngy wrong. sorry, and thanks for the help!

[cppdungeon]

the tension tool is used to turn the cylinder; due to a slight misalignment of the pin stacks, one of them will contact the turning plug first. a pick tool is used to push the pin stack until the pins are at the shear line, at this point the plug will turn a teeny tiny bit, creating a shelf for the top pin to rest on. then another pin stack will bind. when all the pin stacks are at the correct height. the lock is picked. I recommend you google the LSI or MIT guide to lockpicking, and take apart a deadbolt to see how it works. This is helpful because you get to see all the little peices of what you are up against. Welcome to the forums, and welcome to lockpicking.

I have to ask, what kind of tools do you have?

--Cpp

[hero89]

Thanks for the fast reply . The tools I am using are 2 safety pins.I have been able to get the first tumbler up, but I cant seem to get it to stay up. Do i use the tension thing for that? or should they stay up automatically once i lift it up?

[hero89]

Wait...I am confused about the pins. do u have to find the binded one first? like, if there were 4 pins, the first one wouldnt neccisarily be the first one u have to get? it could be the 3rd or 4th or 2nd?

[tacedeous]

The theory is that the last pin is moved the least, because the key only makes contact once, per insertion, thusly takes less abuse, and will bind the most because of this... this isnt the rule, but just what seems to work best, most often...I have a lock I pick best, going middle to font the pick the last two binding pins... but thats, that lock... you'll find every lock pick different even if its the same make... hope it helps... and just, practice, practice, practice.. I still havent been able to pick my ameraican 5200, but im still tryin...

[hero89]

cool. thanks for the tips how do i find out how many pins my lock has?

[raimundo]

Put a stiff wire under all the pins, lift them all together with the shaft of this to the top of the keyway, then slowly withdraw the wire straight out, you will hear the pin stacks dropping one at a time. Practice this so you can tell if you are putting the wire in too deep and counting a pin drop when the wire is just slipping off the locking dogs at the opposite end of the cylinder, and know when you are dragging the tip of the pick along a stack as it comes down, making it seem like two stacks dropping.

You really need better picks to gain any skill, what you are using is inadequate to really learn to pick well.

As to your title of this thread, do not use heavy tension to 'keep the pins up', its really more about setting the pins than binding them between the force and the immobile cylinder. Do not be discouraged when pins drop, these pins were not ready to set, and dropping only resets them for a second try at getting them to the step they need to catch on.

[tacedeous]

It's all about exploiting the tolerances on the the lock, specifically the amount of play/slack, when all your pin stacks are at rest... that slack is the "ledge" you hear about... causing the plug to hold the driver (top) pins above the sheer line... when all are at this point the plug/cylinder will turn... a true tool maker just chimed in about the importance of quality of tools you use... while they aren't the only thing you need (on top of knowledge of the lock, experience with feedback on the pick, and more importantly, feedback and focusing on your TENSION) you need good quality tools... I'm starting to realize that homemade is better, as I've modified all the picks i use to fit my needs and comfort level... YMMV, heed the course, you only get better by reading, asking questions (assuming you've done a search beforehand) and PRACTICING what you've learned...

I don't know who said it... but I read somewhere, that really, you actually TENSION a lock open more than picking it... I see a lot of truth in that statement as I progress to serrated/spool pins... something to think about...

happy trails...

[chev49]

And don't use more tension if you are frustrated. Proper/light tension as you work the pins. My problem is if i get in a hurry or I am in the rain or something & get aggrivated, I am liable to use too much...

[Squelchtone]

Hi, im new to picking and after reading a few faqs I am still confused on a few things. First off, I am practicing on an old master lock of mine, and i was wondering, what do u do with the tension pic? does the tension make the tumblers go up? and once they are up, can u take the other pic out and keep the tumblers up? I might have gotten some of the termonolngy wrong. sorry, and thanks for the help!

Hi and welcome to the forum!

I think this visual lock picking guide will help you a lot with theory, method, and terminology.

Locksport International Guide to Lock Picking

Enjoy,

Squelchtone