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Pick slipping?

Picked all the easy locks and want to step up your game? Further your lock picking techniques, exchange pro tips, videos, lessons, and develop your skills here.

Pick slipping?

Postby CptedIV » 7 Oct 2009 19:39

I was having a hard time with a master lock, when I think I noticed that the pick is slipping to the side of the pins. I kept applying light torque, and trying to push up on the pins, but they all felt slippery or like they wouldn't move. I was gettin real frustrated when I finally tried without the tension wrench, and if I dont have the pick perfectly straight in the keyway it feels like I'm missing the pins completely.

Also, whats after the pins in the cylinder? I think I reach back too far, but I swear I feel a pin waaay in the back sometimes. I'm going to try marking my pick without the torque wrench so I can see better where the pins are.

This is the set I bought, I don't know how to tell if its good or not, but it works for me, usually.

Ed
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Re: Pick slipping?

Postby LocksmithArmy » 7 Oct 2009 20:15

The reason you feel like there are pins in the back is because as you reach back your pick shaft will push up on a pin or 2 due to its extream angle.

behind the pins is ether a plate stopping you from going any furthur back or a nice hole allowing you access to the workings of the lock. it depends on the lock you have (yours probably doesnt have a plate)
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Re: Pick slipping?

Postby CptedIV » 7 Oct 2009 21:22

What about the pick slipping to the side of the pins? Does that happen, or is it me? are those lock picks any good? They don't have a brand, but seem to work fine. I think the hook is a little bent from a frustrated day working on masterlock. Also, I'm curious, how long does someone take to pick a lock... Uhhmm I mean like, if someone says "It took me half an hour to open this", does this mean that you literally try to set the pins correct and keep tension in the lock, while varying tension for half an hour? Or is more like, attempt to pick it for a minute, feel that a pin over set, or something, then reset and try again? I usually take about 15 seconds to try to open it, then stop take out the wrench and pick and start over.

Thanks for any help,
Ed
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Re: Pick slipping?

Postby LocksmithArmy » 7 Oct 2009 21:35

I have never noticed my pick slipping unless I just mess up, I have a pretty steady hand. but what kind of master are you picking?

as far as how long it takes that is dependant on skill. I can open a kwikset or defiant sometimes in literally less than a second... sometimes 5 seconds 10 15 rarely more than that. dexter about 5 to 30 seconds. American 5200 1 minute to 1 hour depending on bitting. and yes I count the whole picking session from when put my tensor in to when it opens, even if I must remove it and start over. 5 pins should never take an hour to raise, if it takes longer than you are comfortable with than release tension and start over.
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Re: Pick slipping?

Postby CptedIV » 7 Oct 2009 21:43

Hm but is it actually possible for the pick to slip to the side and miss the pins?
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Re: Pick slipping?

Postby mr_chris79 » 7 Oct 2009 21:57

hi mate its not posible that i know of? or at least ive never experienced the phenomenon you speak of but somebody more experienced is bound to chime in soon! :wink:
if everyone who tried something new liked it but didnt bother telling anyone else there would never be anything new to try...
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Re: Pick slipping?

Postby LocksmithArmy » 7 Oct 2009 23:27

I suppose that would depend on the thinness of your pick and the wideness of the keyway... but I guess it is possable. I often rake off the one side(I guess that spawns from medecos) and I have not slipped off.

there will be a small triangle gap to the back, corners if you will, of each pin. because 2 circles leave that little gap between them... what size of pick do you have man it must be small. I find with cheaper locks I need some meat in my picks.
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Re: Pick slipping?

Postby CptedIV » 7 Oct 2009 23:48

Dont know what brand or how thick compared to others... Its probably just me though. Im really just having a problem with consistency. I can feel the pins perfect sometimes, and count the clicks as I open it. Then sometimes it seems like nothings there, thats why I think its slipping off... All I'm picking ATM is a kwikset with 5 pins and a No 3 master. I have an american also but I've only fooled with it when really frustrated. Oh I also have a No 140, is there something tricky about those? I've tried it numerous times racking and SPP and never got anything but a what sounds like 5 clicks when I let tension off...


Ed
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Re: Pick slipping?

Postby LocksmithArmy » 8 Oct 2009 0:07

ha I would suggest putting the american away for a bit. most americans are full of security pins. The Americans I pick have 5 pin stacks but the keypins and driver pins are security pins. every pin has atleast 2 fake shear lines

the master 140 has a mushroom pin in the 3rd position... enjoy. if you can get a false set you are halfway to picking it. slowly release tension and press hard on the mushroom pin and it should pop.

Keep at it man you will get there :)
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Re: Pick slipping?

Postby ElbowMacaroni » 10 Oct 2009 22:28

After reading this, I went and tried to "slip off" the pins in the master padlock I have, and just couldn't do it... and I turned the pick quite a bit even and it still pushed the pins up, with a small loss of tactile feedback, but it was still able to manipulate the pins. This was with a regular southord small hook, and I've sanded it doen so it's quite a bit thinner than the factory set, and it still couldn't leave the pin.

Just my $0.02

-EM
"Cave ab homine unius libri"

Beware of anyone who has just one book
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Re: Pick slipping?

Postby Dooms_day » 11 Oct 2009 14:13

i can very well get this problem with a small hook eruro style, it "slips" or whatever and the pick gets jammed in the cylinder! i'm guessing it sliped off and got stuck between the sprung down pins and the cylinder wall, but yeah, with very thin picks this can happen...
pop.pop.return
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Re: Pick slipping?

Postby ElbowMacaroni » 11 Oct 2009 15:50

That kinda sounds like oversetting the pin then the angle face of the key pin allowing the pick to wedge the pick in place, more than "slipping off" per se... but then again, maybe I've just never had it happen to me, so perhaps I'm just ignorant of that condition.

-EM
"Cave ab homine unius libri"

Beware of anyone who has just one book
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