Tubular locks

[matthew1]

Hi, my name is Matthew. I'm new to the forum. I'm not a locksmith. I like to watch tv and pick locks. I'm new to this hobby and I can only pick tumblers at the moment. I have taken an interest in tubular locks, but it does not seem there is much skill involved in this area. If i'm wrong, please correct me. I was interested in what locks are most common. I believe 8 is most common in my area. I was wondering if this changes in different areas ( usa ) or is it a industry standard. I understand if you do not want to make this answer public. PM me if necessary. Please respond with a imformative answer.

[loki-aka]

Most hobbiest pickers would not really care about what is a common lock by geographical distribution. What most
hobbiest care is, how difficult a lock is with respect to their current experience and skill.

Thus said, it begs the questions, How does it effect you as to weather 7, 8 or x number of pins are previlent in tubulars ?

Please don't see this question as a hostile response. Many on this forum are just cautious about responding to
some posts.

[matthew1]

I understand your concern. I'm not that interested in picking them, but I recently asked the guy that sells picks and such to me about tubular lock picks and how to use them. He told me the most common ones in his area, but said it may change region to region and he wasn't really sure. There are not alot of these types of locks in my area. I think there is a zoning law or something dealing with vending and those washing centers. The only one i've been able to find is at a cvs guarding diet pills...lol. We do not even have Target or Walmarts around here. The vending machines across town i've seen have a lock i've never seen before. I might take a picture of these if I have a reason to go that far across town. I'm just interested in locks.

[loki-aka]

In general tubular locks are not nearly as frequently found now as, say five years ago.

If your interested in tubulars, buy one. They can be found on ebay and other sites for $5 or so. You can find 7 and 8 pin styles for about the same price. For not much money you can can buy serveral, one to practice on and some to
gut and study.

[pjzstones]

I understand your concern. I'm not that interested in picking them, but I recently asked the guy that sells picks and such to me about tubular lock picks and how to use them. He told me the most common ones in his area, but said it may change region to region and he wasn't really sure. There are not alot of these types of locks in my area. I think there is a zoning law or something dealing with vending and those washing centers. The only one i've been able to find is at a cvs guarding diet pills...lol. We do not even have Target or Walmarts around here. The vending machines across town i've seen have a lock i've never seen before. I might take a picture of these if I have a reason to go that far across town. I'm just interested in locks.

if you're not interested in picking them then why would it matter what's more common in your area?

[TurnerGOFP]

I don't know about everyone else but I'm still waiting on his answer.

[matthew1]

lol, Ive been on vacation. I do not need to steal. go bother someone else.

[TurnerGOFP]

So why does it matter what type of lock is more common? I'm not trying to bother. Just trying to understand why you word your question like that. It makes people assume your a thief.

[wakeboard1290]

Tubular locks are typically viewed as 'higher security' than a standard pin tumbler or wafer lock. This is not because they necessarily offer a higher level of mechanical security, but are simply less commonly used. Tubular lock picking takes the same skills used in picking pin-tumbler mechanisms, but requires that these skills be employed differently. As far as what kind of locks are being used in your area, it all depends on what they are being used on. Different industries have different standards. For example, an ATM might not use the same style tubular lock as the vending machine next to it.

Not to be repetitive, but if you're interested in tubular locks your best bet is to pick one up, along with a tubular pick, and learn to pick tubular locks. Hope this helps.

Ben

[TurnerGOFP]

I would say SPP picking a tubular lock would be a lot easier then picking a padlock because with the tubular lock you can see every pin.

[ElbowMacaroni]

I think the reason for the wording he used was answered when he said that someone had told him about the commonality of them in his area. I suspect he was just repeating what the guy had said to him in an effort to give more information... IDK though... just guessing from what he'd said.

[TurnerGOFP]

That would make since. But tell me this doesn't make you think.

I'm not that interested in picking them

[ElbowMacaroni]

yeah, that is a bit odd... then why ask in the first place? But then again, I've asked many a question out of idle curiosity. However, with newcomers, it is always difficult to be certain and probably better to err on the side of caution.

[wakeboard1290]

How would seeing the pins help you to pick a tubular lock? You can only see the tops of the pins, and this wouldn't help you determine if a pin was set, binding or if the lock had security drivers in it. I'm not quite sure why you think seeing the pins would make it easier to pick...

Maybe I'm missing something obvious

[TurnerGOFP]

Well I can't speak for everybody but when I first started out lock picking I could never tell if I was picking the pin or not. With tubular locks you don't have that problem because you can literally see that your pushing the pin.