Lock Problems

[Kighr]

Well to start, I'm a very new picker. I got the basic 14 piece South Ord set and got to work. I had picked all the locks in our house(many filing cabinets) except for our front door, which I will ask about at the end. I decided to buy a Kwikset lock, and got a basic 5-pin ANSI grade 3 lock.

I started by taking all pins out except for the first one, and worked my way to 5. After a while I could get all 5 pins open in about 15-30 seconds and felt pretty good. My friend wanted to see how it worked, so I pulled out the core slightly, and the back pin/spring came out. Here is where the problem began...

The spring had a small kink in it. I wish I had a better way to explain it, and I can't get a picture of this stage so I'm hoping some of you might have seen this. I went ahead and put the spring back in the lock and tried to pick it. When I started turning, the lock got stuck, and it wouldn't even move with the key inserted. I removed the top clip(it rests above the springs) and pulled the spring out with force. The last few coils(where it starts to tighten up) of the spring were bent up at 90 degrees. I think somehow the spring slipped into the shear line and jammed it. Any ideas?
I think that I had maybe added the pins and springs incorrectly. The way I did it was by removing the clip directly above the springs and placing the pins and springs in the holes. I then just placed the plate on top of the springs and pressed down until is locked in.

Anyways some added questions for those of you who made it this far...
Being able to pick this lock with 5 pins as quickly as I can, is this no large feat? Is this lock considered a joke by most?

Also, my house doors are Schlages. They are 5 pin, and I can't even get close with them. I doubt they have security pins, but they are VERY tight inside, and it is difficult for me to feel the individual pins. Is this just lack of experience?

Finally, is my method of picking flawed? From what I've read, most people tend to place the pick tip below the pin, and just raise the entire pick while keeping it horizontal. I can do this, but what I generally do is just press the handle of the pick down. This makes the pick work similar to a see-saw. I am much quicker and more efficient with this method, but I don't have quite as good of a feel for the pins while doing this. Should I adjust my style?

If you actually read all of this, thanks, I realize it was a lot, but I have been wondering a lot of these for a while.

[mcm757207]

Standard kwikset locks are cheaply produced and rarely take more than one minute to pick. Considering your "newbie"-ness, congradulation. Being able to pick a lock that has 5 pins regardless of brand or pin configuration shows that you are off to a great start. As far as that 5th spring, it just goes to show you how important it is to remember to put the retainer clip back on If you are really intent on fixing that spring, I would suggest going down to a locksmith and just ask for a kwikset spring to replace it.

Schlage cylinders are definetly a big step-up from kwikset. They are definetly not the most secure lock on the market, but at your current skill level it would be a challenge to pick. Keep at it- you will be able to get it eventually.

I have never read anything about keeping the pick horizontal, and I doubt you have too. If you kept the pick horizontal, it would be near impossible to pick any lock with any sort of high-low config. The "see-saw" motion that you speak of is basicly how I pick, but I can't speak for others. What it comes down to is this: if the technique you use opens the lock and feels comfortable, it is just as good of a technique as the next guy's. Everybody's technique is going to be different, so as long as it works for you you should be fine.

[Chucklz]

You may be able to use that spring if you flip it upside down, but its not the best of ideas.

My suggestion:

Whenever you stuff up a spring or two (it still happens more than I care to admit) keep all its parts in a film canister. For interesting or expensive locks, one canister per individual lock, with a bit of tape to keep the cylinder with its bits.

For Kwiksets and for other assorted springs that I come accross, they all get tossed into a canister, so sometimes I can rescue locks from my own carelessness.

Honestly, I probably should get some kind of pin kit.... but its a bit too expensive for poor college student me.