by FarmerFreak » 9 Jan 2010 10:00
Since you haven't picked a lock before. I would like you to try something. I recommend a hook pick. First, without using any tension. Try to feel each pin with the hook pick, lift each one all the way up, one at a time. You should be able to feel the spring(s) try to push you pick back down. This should give you a feel as to where each pin is, and how they feel when they are not binding.
The next thing I want you to try (keep in mind I am not asking you to pick the lock just yet, again this is more for feel). Get your tension wrench out. If the one you have is flimsy/flexible, look for a rigid one, nice and sturdy. If you have to make one, then you should find some material to do so. Use the rigid tension wrench with "HEAVY" tension. Then use your hook pick again, and feel the bottom of each pin, try to lift up with ONLY the amount of force required to lift a pin that isn't binding, You don't want to bend your pick doing this. You should be able to find one or two pins that are binding, IE not lifting up.
The third thing to do is to lighten up on the tension, remember which pin(s) were binding. You need to lighten up on your tension to where you can slowly lift those binding pins without bending your pick. You will need to lift the pin until it "clicks" or otherwise suddenly stops binding. At that point you need to lock for the next pin that is binding,..so on and so forth.
Don't worry about getting the lock to turn, simply concentrate on which pins are binding. You need enough tension to hold allow the pins to set, but light enough that you can lift them without damaging your picks. You can use heavy tension to help you find the binding pins, but don't lift them while using heavy tension. In time you won't need the heavy tension to find binding pins. But first you need to know what you are feeling for.
Good luck, have fun.
