Lockpicking noob, many questions.

[punkonjunk]

Yes, I started from the new users thing, and read a bunch of stuff - unfortunately, many of the images are missing from those threads. I just read through the MIT lockpicking guide, and it was super informative. I've been interested in picking for a long time, simply for the fun and enjoyment of it, and the convienience. I used what I knew about 4 months ago to scrub open an apartment lock, with a bobby pin for the pick and I used a small, slightly bent screwdriver for torque - I knew only a little about locks, and not everything about how pins set, but it was a really simple lock, (too simple to lock an apartment!) and apparently I must have gotten lucky, because it only took me like 20 minutes with very little practice before hand. Glad I had some garbage tools in my car, apparently that bent jewelers screwdriver was perfect for torque, or torsion, or whatever. After that I was soooo sold, I saved the friend of a friend like 50 bucks or so to call the landlord for a new key (they always make them get new locks or something if they lose the key, even if its in the house, it's ridiculous) and I've been dying since to really get into it.

Ideally (I know, lol pipedream) I'd love to learn a ton about picking and such, and then use that to try and get a job with a locksmith, which would work well, as I go to bed at 6am or later and get up around noon-2pm. So I'd be great for late night car openings and such. Alternatively, (super lol pipedream) getting a license to practice myself, and undercutting the market by like half their prices, and using word of mouth to pass on how nice me and my friends are about it - they're all real interested in learning too, but that's not a big deal here, this is mostly because I LOVE this kind of puzzle, with all this feedback and data to decipher and use against a lock's flaws.

So questions would be, are these ok starter sets for SUPER cheap, or should I really avoid getting something like this? In a few months i'll pick up a nicer, brand name set from a cheap place, but right now I want to learn, and delicate tools will help me learn not to use too much force.


http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.16417
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.16422

and possibly after I'm enjoying my 9 piece set:
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.16416

And these just seem endlessly convenient, but likely much easier to manufacture from some kind of sheet metal and a dremel -
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.16414
All my life I've been Credit carding locks for people, and saving them a ton of hassle, I swear, I can't believe everyone doesn't know how to do that - these tools would let me do that to doors that have the mechanism facing the OTHER way!


Secondly, I'd like to know if anyone knows procedure or costs in general, or in wisconsin (rough estimates would be fine) to either get licensed as a smith, or get a job with one. In addition, would a moderate-novice skill level be something that might get me in, or is this a locked down (no pun intended, I lol'd) difficult industry to get into?
I recognize one might be like shut up noob, but I'm an obsessive, avid learner. I spend hours on hours a day reading about anything and everything that strikes me, and lockpicking has eaten a lot of well spent time lately - and I could actually teach myself a trade and do something at least somewhat lucrative without college. (right?)

If nothing else, as a hobby.

And a final question - what kind of lock should I pick up from wallmart/wherever that would be good practice, besides my own house doors and stuff?


And again, thank you for reading my massive block of text, and if you're thinking of offering me something along the lines of "shut up noob, you have your heads in the clouds" stow it, or back it up with something scary for me to climb over. I've been bent around this for years now, and it's time to pick it up for real!
Oh god, pick and lock puns!

[Eyes_Only]

From mixed reviews I've heard about those tools, plus from my own experience with other tools from Asia I wouldn't recommend any of those tools. Especially the comb picks and that door spatula thing. Not something any new comer should focus on.

The best ones to start out with (as most have said before in the past) is a simple South Ord set like this one, http://www.southord.com/Lock-Picking-To ... XS-08.html .

[pjzstones]

i think the 9 piece set is great to start out with. it's got a bunch of hooks and thats all i basically use. it's super cheap and has free shipping. i've heard that they aren't very durable but that can be expected from something that's less than 6 bucks. once you get more familiar with picking then buy a better set and you'll also know more of what you personally need.
i wouldn't get the comb picks they can't really be used on many locks.
the klom set i've heard good things about, but a lot of people don't find use for many of the picks in the set. the majority of the picks in the set are made for double-sided wafer locks. if you are looking to pick these locks then it's great. but once you start picking for a bit you'll know what type of locks most interest you and what you'll need to pick them.
btw what part of wisconsin are you from? i'm originally from around madison.

[Josh K]

Before someone else mentions it, never practice on a lock that is in use. The inner workings of a lock are complex and messing with your front door is never a good idea.

I practiced on the standard Master locks (No. 3 & 5 especially), some disk locks (LSDA disk style), a repinable mortise cylinder, and a Schlage cylinder I purchased. You can pick one up for about $20.

I like my SouthOrd tools, but have been meaning to make my own at some point. The Falle deep curve or reach picks intrigued me quite a bit.

[punkonjunk]

From mixed reviews I've heard about those tools, plus from my own experience with other tools from Asia I wouldn't recommend any of those tools. Especially the comb picks and that door spatula thing. Not something any new comer should focus on.

They have some mixed reviews, but it looks like the general consensus is good place to start, there and here!
The CC metal set just seemed interesting because credit carding locks has been a trick I've known since my tweens that has managed to amaze people dozens upon dozens of times - a great way to open a crappy door FAST if someone gets locked out - but looking at them I could just use old IDs or other really stiff cards and cut the same shapes into them for hooking around other locks. Derp.

i think the 9 piece set is great to start out with. it's got a bunch of hooks and thats all i basically use. it's super cheap and has free shipping. i've heard that they aren't very durable but that can be expected from something that's less than 6 bucks. once you get more familiar with picking then buy a better set and you'll also know more of what you personally need.
i wouldn't get the comb picks they can't really be used on many locks.
the klom set i've heard good things about, but a lot of people don't find use for many of the picks in the set. the majority of the picks in the set are made for double-sided wafer locks. if you are looking to pick these locks then it's great. but once you start picking for a bit you'll know what type of locks most interest you and what you'll need to pick them.
btw what part of wisconsin are you from? i'm originally from around madison.

No on the combs, loud and clear. And good to hear some good feedback on the cheap picks - I'm excited!
I'm from appleton, and I've spent a lot of time in fish creek, and oshkosh. I've passed through madison going to iowa, but I've never actually stopped there, how weird is that?

Before someone else mentions it, never practice on a lock that is in use. The inner workings of a lock are complex and messing with your front door is never a good idea.

I practiced on the standard Master locks (No. 3 & 5 especially), some disk locks (LSDA disk style), a repinable mortise cylinder, and a Schlage cylinder I purchased. You can pick one up for about $20.

I like my SouthOrd tools, but have been meaning to make my own at some point. The Falle deep curve or reach picks intrigued me quite a bit.

No, not my front door! All the rooms in my house have locks on the bedrooms, and they're all missing keys except one, and don't lock well from the inside - I'm guessing playing with it might actually get it working, it probably just got a pin stuck weird or something. Nobody locks their rooms, so I'm sure my roommates won't care if I play with the locks - as long as they still open.
But I definately appreciate the warning!

Also, are most locks generally similar design? Like shed locking kind of master locks, are those designed the say way as a door lock? How about a car lock?
And I mean in general, not like, every single different kind - in general, will this work across the board?

[Josh K]

No, not my front door! All the rooms in my house have locks on the bedrooms, and they're all missing keys except one, and don't lock well from the inside - I'm guessing playing with it might actually get it working, it probably just got a pin stuck weird or something. Nobody locks their rooms, so I'm sure my roommates won't care if I play with the locks - as long as they still open.
But I definately appreciate the warning!

Also, are most locks generally similar design? Like shed locking kind of master locks, are those designed the say way as a door lock? How about a car lock?
And I mean in general, not like, every single different kind - in general, will this work across the board?

Still a bad idea, in my opinion.

What do you mean "generally similar design?" If you mean it has a key the operates a mechanism to release some sort of bolt or actuate some other mechanism then yes. Other then that, locks can be pretty different. You have your standard pin tumbler locks, disk wafer locks, disk detainer locks, locks with sidebars, locks with security pins, locks that have interchangeable cores, electronic locks, lever locks, tubular locks, and probably a couple more I'm missing.

[unlisted]

Sorry to burst your bubble, but this is not a "hobby" you can instantly pick up, and from your posts, you have years to learn about locks.

I strongly recommend actually reading the new members guides, MIT guide and FAQ -and when you read it, pay attention. You really should not be asking about different types of locks, etc if you have read these guides. I am commenting on your following statement:

Also, are most locks generally similar design? Like shed locking kind of master locks, are those designed the say way as a door lock? How about a car lock?
And I mean in general, not like, every single different kind - in general, will this work across the board?

But I definately appreciate the warning!

And you really should listen to other members, they speak with experience- Don't pick locks in use, and don't pick locks you do not own. It can and probably will save you from getting into trouble, or having to spend a couple hundred to watch a locksmith after hours drill out a lock you totally buggered up.