master 141d my first real practice toy

[cougar]

picked it up from lowes for a few bux, 4 pins. after spending a few hours playing (while doing other social activity as well) Ive come to the conclusion that there are spools on pins 2 and 4, with 1 usually going up on its own while working the others. After learning to feel the spools I learned the feel of the underset or overset pin 3 which tends to be the final move. NOt a bad start on the hobby but im still having troubles establishing a consistent performance which i for some reason decided is my goal. I have on a few occasions SPP this one in just 3 seconds and once in just an instant... seems my pick is a good shape for an instant open at just the perfect angle and motion Im using a saw blade medium hook pick and a tension tool made from strapping metal, all home made. I also have a snake rake but so far it has a bad shape for all the locks ive played with.

Anyone have tips on being more consistent in speed? Ive really learned the feelings well considering im a noob here but it seems i just cant get the consistency im looking for. And please don't say "be patient" as I am, and Im in no rush, just looking for advise.

[nostromo]

Tip - Practice, practice, practice. I know, I know. I hear you. Frustrating. Think of it as a formal sport- how much time does any athlete invest in their performance before they step up to the bar or into the arena? Ya gotta put in the time.

Having more locks around so that you aren't feeling 'stopped' is very helpful. Good to have a bunch of victories around to offset the bad feelings from the obstinate crank in the corner of the box.

Maybe also get many more locks to learn the feel of gunky pins, thin pins, fat pins, worn pins, ya da, ya da, ya da. Not just padlocks. Get a cylinder of some kind and learn to re-pin it with various combinations, and different pins if you can. Search for the several threads here on where others get their locks from.

FWIW, sounds like you are doing very well with 'feel'. You will be surprised at how easily other locks, esp non-spool pinned ones, open for you.

Have you found "The MIT Guide to Lockpicking"? There is a VERY good set of exercises to work specific skills that you may find very helpful.

[cougar]

found but not read yet. Ive been through the other tutorial. Ill make some time to read it. Thanks for advise

[cougar]

ok I'm getting the finesse of a light touch down. I dont feel like slipping past the spool is like falling out of bed anymore. I just did the 141d 10 time around 10-15 seconds each. The only part i dont like is that the spool pins are the only ones i feel like im working on. The others just set themselves automatically. In a rush this is a good thing but Im working on improving my skills, not just opening the lock