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

[Ortin468]

I have been picking locks ever since I was a kid, the first lock I actually picked was my aunts suitcase. She came back from vacation and had lost the key. While everyone was discussing "what are we gonna do now"? I was playing with a bobby pin and had it opened up in a few minutes. The amazing thing is I was about 10 years old. They were all astonished.

Then came high school. The dreaded master combo lock with a key in the back. Lost and found had a ton of combo locks, some have been there for months. I always wanted to see what made things tick, so I marked a few and since they didn't get picked up by the owner ( I waited 2 months) I grabbed them and started to play. Play ... hmmm not the right word, more like rip apart, and learned quite alot. I learned at an early age, if you understand how something works , you can fix it, or other things.....amazing with a small hole drilled in the right place you can decipher the combination without destroying the lock.

Dad had some locksmith books and a few cylinders and some supplies, so I easily learned how the pinned cylinders worked. Wafer lock I understood with no problem.

Now I have been a ASE certified auto tech for the last 20 ish years and occasionally run into a situation when its easier to pick a lock, rather then destroy the cylinder or the housing. Most of the time the cylinder has to be turned to get the core out cleanly. Sometimes I would have to destroy the whole lock. Its just no fun do destroy, I get more satisfaction knowing I defeated something.

Been picking on and off for years now, the last few months I have been getting a bit more serious. I have had pick sets for years, some tools I made myself. The internet definitely has been a learning experience, but nothing beats "hands on" .

I love the challenge of picking, and the reaction of the people that say "you can't do that"...Currently I have been trying harder
locks with spool pins and suck, so so luck for now, its just a matter of practice... When people ask me what lock is totally secure, I laugh and say absolutely nothing.... If there is a key it can be opened....

[DingDongDen]

Hi Guys, I joined a while back but can't remember if I paid you all a courteous "..Hello.." So I have said it here today...Hi, everyone.

[DingDongDen]

WOW....I just seen the date I joined....tempus fugit...so sorry I have been numb and dormant....but finally I have made it here..

[jdog23]

Hello all!!

Just joined the other day and wanted to go ahead and say hello. I greatly enjoy learning new things and I hope that lockpicking will be one of them. Its a part of my list which contains other things like flying a plane etc. I can see from the sheer amount of information available here that I will enjoy my stay and I hope to be able to contribute in the near future.

Thanks!
John

[richardhockley]

Hi I'n new here from canada a lock hobbiest hoping to become a locksmith 1 day. Anyone know how to go about it here in canada. i've searched the net an haven't found a thing. thanks in advance
Richard Hockley

[unlisted]

Hi I'n new here from canada a lock hobbiest hoping to become a locksmith 1 day. Anyone know how to go about it here in canada. i've searched the net an haven't found a thing. thanks in advance
Richard Hockley

Its not as easy as the USA- post this question again in the "Locksmith business info" sub forum on this site, and someone can help you further

[huntr]

Hi, New to the site, been considiring Locksmith as Oncor Carreer after 20 years on the road.

[Idonotconsent]

Howdy Hooooo!!

I have been into picking for about three weeks now. I picked up the southord beginners pick set for $20 at a gun show, and now I'm fascinated with how simple bypassing locks can be.

I am a volunteer firefighter and a college student.

I actually went out today to get a master lock and brinks padlock. Before this I've been picking my old kwikset from my front door : /

If you have any questions about ANYTHING I'll try to figure it out. Don't be afraid to PM me : )

Well....See ya'll in the forums!

[JonathanEricLopez]

Hello, Lock Picking 101!

[Yield]

Cruised around this site for awhile without making an account, then noticed a weird guy I recognized from some urbexing website. Read about him in some private sub forum, he's got this orange sign thing as a display pic.

:)

Best thing I've ever seen in my life: My 17 year old brother walks up to me and says "hey look what I learned at school today" - He takes a combo lock out of his pocket, puts a metal bar through the loop, adds tension, smacks the whole thing with a hammer and the lock pops open.
I love my brother.

[unlisted]

Cruised around this site for awhile without making an account, then noticed a weird guy I recognized from some urbexing website. Read about him in some private sub forum, he's got this orange sign thing as a display pic.



Best thing I've ever seen in my life: My 17 year old brother walks up to me and says "hey look what I learned at school today" - He takes a combo lock out of his pocket, puts a metal bar through the loop, adds tension, smacks the whole thing with a hammer and the lock pops open.
I love my brother.

Ya, I'm that weird guy.

[Storm]

hi guys, i'm new to this site as i'm from UKBK, but as its a bit quite popped over here for a breath of fresh air.... but it looks like i'm limited to what i can view on this site....why is that and how is that changed, or what insentive is there for us to visit/move this site if we are not allowed to join the whole forum? many thanks and a warm hello...

[Squelchtone]

hi guys, i'm new to this site as i'm from UKBK, but as its a bit quite popped over here for a breath of fresh air.... but it looks like i'm limited to what i can view on this site....why is that and how is that changed, or what insentive is there for us to visit/move this site if we are not allowed to join the whole forum? many thanks and a warm hello...

Hi and welcome to the forums. All new users are limited in what they can see. you have to move up in the ranks. Sounds like you expect to have the keys to the castle on the very first day, I'm afraid that is not how it works, and it sounds arrogant that anyone comes here expecting full access and if they don't get it, they won't bother with the forums at all. There are so many posts to read in the regular areas, that you'll be busy for months before you return to the idea of wanting access to the automotive lock opening, safe lock manipulation, and high security lock picking area. Some areas are for moderators only, some are for local locksport organizations, and no one but they have access to them, not even 'advanced status' members.

I welcome you to read the site rules HERE, stick around, read a lot, meet some of the nice folks, post some good information, ask plenty of questions, and you're bound to have a great time on this forum.

Cheers from across the pond,
Squelchtone

[Storm]

hi guys, i'm new to this site as i'm from UKBK, but as its a bit quite popped over here for a breath of fresh air.... but it looks like i'm limited to what i can view on this site....why is that and how is that changed, or what insentive is there for us to visit/move this site if we are not allowed to join the whole forum? many thanks and a warm hello...

Hi and welcome to the forums. All new users are limited in what they can see. you have to move up in the ranks. Sounds like you expect to have the keys to the castle on the very first day, I'm afraid that is not how it works, and it sounds arrogant that anyone comes here expecting full access and if they don't get it, they won't bother with the forums at all. There are so many posts to read in the regular areas, that you'll be busy for months before you return to the idea of wanting access to the automotive lock opening, safe lock manipulation, and high security lock picking area. Some areas are for moderators only, some are for local locksport organizations, and no one but they have access to them, not even 'advanced status' members.

I welcome you to read the site rules HERE, stick around, read a lot, meet some of the nice folks, post some good information, ask plenty of questions, and you're bound to have a great time on this forum.

Cheers from across the pond,
Squelchtone

Thank you fro your prompt reply, but i must add there was nothing arrogant in my comments.

As for shared knowledge base or portal of information, i do understand the theory of levels of access, bearing in mind thats what we all do for a living!

My question was "how does one gain access to information of my ability, or is there a format of progression and validation?

I cant imagine if Jememiah Chubb was still around he would be limited - NOT that i am comparing myself to anyone else (just an example).

Anyway thank you for the warm but critical welcome...

[unlisted]

Well here is another "warm critical" welcome from me, a mod on this site, who also just happens to be the one who posted that thread on the urban exploring site...

There is a completely different mindset/maturity level found here that is not normally found on that other site. Please take some time to review the site rules, FAQ's, and realize you agreed upon signing up here to abide by them.

This is also a hobby site, and there is an advanced members only area. Think of it like the "full member" area from the other site.

I also posted a more "curt" reply on the other forum, advising people of the different maturity level on this site.

I am not directing this only at you, I have also had to deal with a few "others" who were much less "polite" than you are in your posts.