First lock picking set - a few questions

[grunders]

Hi,

I'm new to the board so I apologise if I'm not doing things right.

Imagine my surprise when I opened the present from my brother on Christmas day to be greeted by the sight of a lock picking set. I had been considering getting a set for quite a while but didn't even consider that my brother would get me any for Christmas.

Anyway, I don't think this was a very expensive set and so the quality probably isn't that great but hopefully they will work when I learn how to use them.

Here are the promised questions.

First question:

Below are some pictures of some of the tools in the set:

(1)


(2)


(3)


(4) a hook? Note strange "double-pronged" end - not sure if this is deliberate


(5)


(6) I don't have a clue what this is for!


I believe that (1) is a "hook", (2) a "tension wrench" and (3) a "half diamond" but the other ones I don't quite understand - can anyone offer explanations as to what they may be for?

Secondly, I have bought a cheap padlock to practise with and, although I can get the tension wrench into the keyhole, I am then unable to get any other tool in as well. It is quite annoying. I was wondering whether the tension wrench may be too thick or something (it is about 0.9-1.0 mm thick).

Here are some pictures of said padlock:













Any help/advice appreciated. I had thought of putting the tension wrench at the top of the lock (where the pins are) but it is too thick for that and too wide if you see what I mean (it is about 2.9-3.0 mm wide) - do you think I'd better improvise a tension wrench that is able to do this?

Thanks in advance,

Ben

[Olson Burry]

Hi there, congrats on your first pick set, I hope it will give you as much pleasure as I am getting out of mine!

What you've got there is a pretty small padlock and some pretty chunky looking picks. I think you're on the right track with applying top tension, that is usually the most useful way on those dinky locks and yes, it looks like youre going to have to improvise something to get enough room for the picks. A bobby pin or filed down windscreen wiper insert or something would probably do.

I'd invest in a cheap deadbolt or something of a more regular size at some point.

Nice pictures by the way.

No.3 does look like a half diamond but really it is not high enough in comparison to the shaft.

No.4 is supposed to be like that pins in locks are chamfered or bevelled at the end and that notch is supposed to kind of grab it at the right point.

No.5 Is closer to a half diamond but looks a little large, I have one of those in a GOSO set I own and havent had much call for it as of yet.

No.6 Is a rake for dimple locks.

There is a thread here about pick sets for beginners you might want to look at if you get the bug and feel like getting some more tools. I'd recommend anything from the "slimline" southord range with full metal handles (C2010 or cheaper) if you're going to be approaching these little padlocks, or get in to making picks specifically for those little locks like i did.. Depends how much you like this hobby I suppose

Someone was asking a similar question a while ago and I made a post here which may or may not be of some use.

Enjoy the site - theres a lot of reading and if you need anything, just ask!

Good luck!

[Jaakko]

Number 5 is like raimundos Bogota pick, a very famous tool (design) and works very well in every lock I've tested it.

The lock you have is a little too small, as it is the size of your fingers.

[raimundo]

Those picks appear to be handmade. Your brother probably bought them from someone on this site I think. The clue is that they are rounded and sanded. most commercial picks are just stamped and deburred. I'd be interested in knowing where he bought those. Perhaps there is a commercial shop that is doing the finishing on the picks.

[grunders]

Thank you all for the comments.

I may be able to ask my brother where he got them from but he is abroad at the moment and I may not get an answer that soon.

I guess I should have gone for a larger lock to practice with - I shall have a search for one.

I have browsed the site a bit and I have seen a few threads on DIY picks. Making my own picks seems like quite a fun, but time-consuming, idea so I will see how I get on with these for the moment.

Thanks again,

Ben

[jamesphilhulk2]

dont forget to make a few more tension wrenches, you can make them out of wiper blade inserts

[grunders]

For those who were wondering where these picks are from. I think they are the same 9 piece set as is discussed here: viewtopic.php?f=4&t=42947

Cheers,

Ben

[MacGnG1]

yea those are the DX picks. they are good picks but the tension wrench is a bit too thick.

JUST tested it on my master#3 and it works well, so thats the padlock i suggest u buy for practice

[savs2k]

agreed. those are the 9 peice dx picks. That tension wrench does look a bit big. Since your pretty new, honestly it would be easier for you to bend a bobby pin(hair pin) and cut the balled ends. That would be a cheap,easy to find, but yet decent tension wrench for that lock. It would also give you more room to practice. If you do have extra windshield wiper blade they work well too. You can never have too many tension wrenches. I can not stress that enough. Keep practicing!

[sparkster]

Lots of good info given above, pop to your local car breakers and get some windscreen wiper blades, they are great for making tension wrenches, also the cheap nasty headphones for a quid, the ones with the steel headband, the band is fairly wide and make good wrenches.
the #6 wrench in your pictures is supposed to be for a multi-lock, a rake type pick, i cant tell you how well it works as i've never tried it on one, i have other tools for multi-lock, but keep reading and asking questions and you surely learn quite a lot here, just when you think you cannot open the lock in your hand, make a brew and pick it up agn, you will soon learn to feel the lock and understand whats going on inside.