ARCHIVE 2003-2013 Introduce yourself HERE if you are new. :)

[ElAbogado]

Greetings board, I am new to this board, but not to locksmithing. I started as an apprentice locksmith in Riverside, California, in 1966. I have worked for large shops and even had a few of my own. I went to law school in 1983 and I have been practicing law since then, but always keeping my finger in the pie, so to speak.

My strengths are in the commercial/residential aspects of the trade, as well as safe opening (forced entry and manipulation). My weaknesses are in the newer automotive technologies such as transponders.

I own quite a bit of equipment, including a CW1200 code machine, six duplicators, installation jigs, safe tools, and dozens of pin kits.

I plan on opening a mobile service upon my retirement just to keep busy.

I am looking forward to learning a few things here, and helping in any way I can.

[Dr. Venkman]

Hello everyone, I have been reading the site here for about a month and finally decided to sign up. I have a humble set of picks and have been practicing on masterlock #3s and a few different deadbolts. I have been interested in lockpicking since I was young and now that i'm older I figured I'd give it a shot.

[FastEddie]

Hello all, I have just registered here. I want to tell you bit about myself.

I am retired so I have a lot of time on my hands. I found lockpicking to be interesting.(I always liked a challenge)

I intend to do this as a hobby.

I am a total beginner to lockpicking. I have absolutely no experience in this art/craft. So please go gently with me if I ask what will probably be a stupid question.

Anyways I just wanted to say hello to all.
FastEddie

[overfien]

Howdy board,
Purchased a locksmithing course, looking to be a fun hobby possibly side income. Wanting to join something in Seattle for sport lockpicking. I have created a list of picks and training kits for my Christmas list. At my work I have been opening up locked cabinet doors with paperclips for people who have forgot there keys and started to really enjoy the challenge.

[Avocado]

Hey, I'm new to this site and I wanted to learn a little about lock picking.

I've always been a puzzle-seeking type, and my friend suggested lock picking... so here I am. I have absolutely no experience, but I'm eager to try out a new, and for the first time PHYSICAL puzzle :)

[Unknownsoldier]

Hi Guys,

I'm looking to get into the "locksmithing" business. My father is very supportive and is offering to stump up most of what I need. My personal aim is to win business through competitive pricing and honesty (I have seen the horror stories about old people being charged hideous amounts for what should have been a cheap/easy job and I NEVER want to be that guy). I have done some research and I have about 13 locksmiths in my city, possibly a few more covering the area. I have a van and most basic tools, I'm fairly handy when it comes to woodwork, and metalwork and I am not afraid to work my butt off to get started......

Basically the big thing is what company/course do I choose? The 'MLA' course seems after reading this, crappy, to say the least with A1 seeming to be the best I've seen so far (I have read few and the "Thousand pounds a week" bit puts me straight off..... no one does that within a week of opening, probably might get close to that after a few years.....). I have other bits to add as well to my arsenal including window lamination and security shutters etc. so hopefully I can bolster my business a bit with that and a few other ideas I have.

Jeez, this is turning into a long post........ :-( Sorry.... But I'm gathering my ifo ready to pounce. :D

Hopefully I can gain a lot of valuable info from here :D
Tom

[Jimmy2Times]

Hello Guys,


New guy here, just wanted to introduce myself. My name is Patrick, I'm a hobbyist locksmith (I have been for about 10 years). I'm now looking to get licensed in the state of MA (can only imagine what that entails) and I'm here to find out how, and as always, looking to learn more. My pick fu is very proficient but definitly not up to pro level.

I have always been fascinated with locks and lockpicking (I know, wierd, isn't it?) I enjoy the challenge of lockpicking and do it pretty much for that satisfaction alone, along with helping a hell of a lot of locked out friends, family, and others. I'm no crook, never have been, I make an honest living in my own boring chosen profession.

I look forward to conversing with you folks, and sharing knowledge when/where I can.

[sh3llsh0ck]

Hey everyone, New to the site.. been picking for a few years.
Bought a pick gun first, I thought it would be like the movies! Boy I was in for a surprise. Since i spent like 30 bucks on the pick gun (manual) i wanted it to work, so I started learning the basics online. Soon, I bought my first pick set, a PXS-17, which I still use (today in fact).
I'm currently in the military in the intelligence field, and I'm known in my unit as the "lock guy" (among other things ;). We have several file cabinets that dont have keys to them, and people constantly lock them, not knowing we dont have keys. So I always end up having to pick, and re-pick them. I've gotten somewhat skilled in it, but still want to learn more.
My friends sometimes lock themselves out of their homes/apartments, so I end up driving around town to do favors. It really never gets old, and I love the feeling of defeating a lock when the tumbler finally turns. Its silly, but its a rush!
I serve in the Washington National Guard out of Spokane, WA.. Anyone in the area send me a message!

[duval]

So, my name is... Duval.
I stumbled onto this site by chance while looking for a set of picks.
The information here led me to rethink my approach and put more thought into
what I need and why. So my guess is you'll be seeing more of me throughout my quest to become the best.

Thank You,

D

[626Diablo]

Well I've been looking through 3 or 4 pages of this thread and it looks like I'm the same as everyone else here. I just picked up lock picking recently so I'm new the site and to the hobby. It's always been fun for me to watch special ops guys and movie heros crack a lock in no time--i figure its my turn now. I'm interested in learning how to pick locks not only because its a puzzle/challenge...but because its something I will be able to say that I can do. You never know when it will be usefull right?

I am a student so I do not have much time on my hands, but I will still be able to tinker with this every now and then. I want to get to the point where I can easily pick common locks(usefull locks....like drawers, most doors, and cars) and not always have specialized tools(use a safty pin for example!! or a sweet James Bond credit card I found).

Back to the actual forums. (cause how many people actually read this besides new members...?)

[thesheerline]

First of all, awesome site. It has been very helpful thus far.

I am TC. I became interested in picking a few months ago, but wasn't able to get my hands on a "real" set until a couple weeks ago, my friend lent me a Southord PXS 17 to learn with until I get my own.

So far I'm still in the simple Masterlock#3 (insert other shitty rip-off brand here) phase. I've been having the most success with "raking", but am slowly getting used to the single pin pick method.

Anyways, thanks for hosting an incredible site. I will definitely be sticking around.

-TC

[ShortHook]

Hi guys. I just started getting into lock picking. I ordered a basic set of Southord picks and I'm waiting for them to get here. In the meantime, I've made a tension wrench, half diamond and hook out of wiper blade inserts. The only locks I have are a laminated chinese padlock and a Mountain Security 5 pin dead bolt. I've been reading everything I can find related to lock picking, including the MIT and LSI guides, plus watching tons of videos including the Lock Picking for the New Millennium video. Of course I've browsed hundreds of messages on this forum too. I'm looking forward to many hours of enjoyment with my new hobby!

[Zoolu]

Hi, I pick locks as a hobby, I can get most padlocks that are four pinned and I can get 5 and 6 pin locks but not very well yet, came here looking to improve skill and learn new skills such as impressioning and creating picks.

[tunnelbana]

Well like everyone else I'm introducing myself here :D Hi my name i Tunnelbana, found this site while surfing on the computer. very good site with people that have similar intrests

[opius]

Hello

My friend introduced me to lockpicking, he started it one day out of boredom.
I managed to open my first lock in about 10 seconds :)

I'm tired of the rubiks cube, and lockpicking seems to be a fun and challenging hobby.

/opius