Need help from the experts !

[luis94]

Hello there,

I'm absolutely new to this site, but since a while ago, i've felt some interest in picking locks, because well, just like hotwiring cars and others, it may come in handy in my future years ( when i lose my keys or something ) .

So, i gathered some intel and hardware and tried. I keep an extra padlock in my house just in case, and i started practicing with it. It is an ABUS 65/35 ( i live in Europe, and i guess our padlocks are different from others ? ). Here's the link :

http://store.mcflek.com/images/uploads/65-50.jpg

So, i watched lots of videos and ''how to...'' stuff, and decided to use 2 clips and some tools ( needlenosed plyer, etc ... ) to make my tension wrench and thing that releases the pins ( don't know its name >.< ) .

I first opened the lock with the key to see the direction in wich the tension wrench had to be turned, applied pressure and started picking. I tried raking and the other way and it just doesn't work. I tried lots of different clips but it just doesn't seem to like me. What am i doing wrong ? Do i need to practice and practice more until i manage to pick something? I watch videos and they all explain the way a lock works, and how you need your tools. But all they do is get the tension wrench in the good direction, they insert a clip or any other thing and it just opens in 1 second.

Keep in mind that im just 14 years old, have no lockpicking professional tools nor experience, and started this not so long ago.

Please, help would be more than welcome.
Regards, Luis.

[datagram]

Yep, practice is key.

Make sure you are gentle on the tension wrench (just a feather touch). Also, try to just use the pick to gently raise each pin stack. Once you find one with more tension on it, you want to push that up until it sets (you will feel and possibly hear a click), then go back to the other stacks and find the next binding pair until you have set them all.

dg

[luis94]

Thank you ! The tension wrench advice was useful, since you said ''feather touch'' and i was pushing it as hard as i could.

[datagram]

No worries, it is a common beginner mistake. The problem with too much tension is that you are binding the pin stacks prematurely and making it so they cannot be moved by the pick. If you can't move them easily, you definitely cannot pick the lock easily

dg

[jennihunt]

Yeah usually the problem is too much tension but starting with an ABUS is certainly jumping in at the deep end. If you insist on cracking a good brand then try a discus padlock since they are really easy to hold and get the right tension - Par example - http://www.nothingbutpadlocks.com/index.php/categories/view/19

Jenni

[Wolf2486]

Yeah usually the problem is too much tension but starting with an ABUS is certainly jumping in at the deep end. If you insist on cracking a good brand then try a discus padlock since they are really easy to hold and get the right tension - Par example - http://www.nothingbutpadlocks.com/index.php/categories/view/19

Jenni

I agree, for someone who is just starting out, you may want to try a little bit of an easier lock. There are all kinds of posts on beginner-esque locks and what to start out with.

Hello there,
So, i watched lots of videos and ''how to...'' stuff, and decided to use 2 clips and some tools ( needlenosed plyer, etc ... ) to make my tension wrench and thing that releases the pins ( don't know its name >.< ) .

Although I know you probably don't have access to real lockpicks (being only 14), you may want to try to make some better picks than just using paperclips. I would recommend small, metal, hair pins until you can acquire a more professional lock pick set.

But all they do is get the tension wrench in the good direction, they insert a clip or any other thing and it just opens in 1 second

Don't expect any lock to open in about one second. Keep trying to pick it for upwards to 15-20minutes before taking a break for a day or half a day. Lock picking video are sometime misleading as the person demonstrating has a very cheap, easy lock and probably has picked it a hundred times. Lock picking in reality take time, especially in the beginning, and a lot of discipline and patience will be needed. Good-luck!

[raimundo]

Welcome to the site Jennihunt, I can see by your first post that you are not a newbie You do know whats going on with the locks. Are you a trading locksmith?

[awol70]

I agree you may have chosen a somewhat difficult first lock. i suggest something like a master 1,2,3,or similar...
and yeah,paper clips and bobby pins will only get you so far,so start searching for suitable materials and try your hand at making yourself a short hook and a small half diamond. (the essentials.))
(there are templates here,and more tutorials than you can shake a stick at.)
good luck.