Difficulty using electric pick vs normal picking

[unlocke]

I must be doing something completely wrong. At this point I'm able to pick many standard locks 5 pin locks with just my tension wrench and a lifer pick. I've opened my friend's front door with their permission. The joke here is I decided to try out a southord electric pick E500XT. Now the pick works fine, the problem is I can't quite get the hang out of it.

I usually can't pick a simple master lock 3 with it. Nor does it work on my own door locks so it's not just padlocks that are the problem. Getting the right setting might be the problem. On the other hand I was able to open a 6pin container lock of mine that I had been work on picking manually and yet to open with ease using it.

The pick does work, any recommendations on learning how to use this? Their instructions were only a paragraph. Electric picks are definitely not a magic tool. The locks I'm using with it are cheap so this is my fault that I'm not getting it.

[unlocke]

I realized this should be in the got questions section. My apologies.

[unlisted]

No, its in the right sub forum.

[unlocke]

No, its in the right sub forum.

Ah, is there a reason nothing has been mentioned on this yet? As I'm new here I can understand a lack of trust. My family owns a business that does remodeling, sometimes the clients don't leave a key and well, then you wait for the client to show up with the key. I'm able to pick locks to a point. This little buy was going to a write-off. if I can get to work on my own door. No way I'd try using it on a client's. Regular picking is my interest but I'd like to know how to use this tool as well.

Is this just due to my lack of experience or some other skill required to use an electric pick?

[unlocke]

That should be CAN'T get my own front door open with it. Usual five pin tumber deadbolt.

[unlocke]

It's not that its hard to use, it's understanding how to set the vibration where to place the pick and why. The setting seems to change for each lock. It's a fancy tool being new, no clue to the skill required. I regret not spending the money on locks/picks and a lock holder instead. Probably put this up for sale when I'm allowed. Will considered making a new battery tube to take a different and far more efficient type battery then lousy D batteries. If there is is interest in such a modification. I have a machinist do my metal work.

We have really had to wait for clients to show up with a key. I don't need to be that fast with a door. Now as I get more interested I'd rather have more locks and some slightly better picks. I'd label this a tool for the advanced only.

[MarkC]

How hard are you turning the tension wrench? It should be a feather touch, even lighter than when picking by hand. If the lock doesn't open in a few seconds, reset the tension and start over. Once you get the hang of it you will find the tool extremely easy to use.

Mark

[unlocke]

I'd say barely touching the tension wrench. The problem might just be tension, and there are no guides on how much is correct. I've used in on a cutaway and knowing properly is tricky. I think some mastery of manual picking is necessary before using an electric pick properly. I'm much more interested in manual picking. If I could get the tool to work fast it would prove useful on rare occasions business is so slow anyway.

[mrbravo4373]

Have you had any luck? I have the same pick with the same problem.

[funkalicious]

My only experience with electric picks is one I made out of a 20 year old Wahl hair trimmer. For the record, it's corded so it has virtually no use for malicious intents, it's just a toy I made because I wanted to see if I could with readily available materials and very few tools (1 file, 1 phllips head screwdriver, a bic lighter, a piece of metal from a windshield wiper, and a small nail).

I have found that bumping the tension wrench works best for me, I typically adjust the pressure on it every 3-5 seconds and release pressure (resetting the pins with every adjustment). Not sure how well this would work with a "professional" tool but with my homebrew electric pick it works brilliantly.