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Pick guns

Having read the FAQ's you are still unfulfilled and seek more enlightenment, so post your general lock picking questions here.
Forum rules
Do not post safe related questions in this sub forum! Post them in This Old Safe

The sub forum you are currently in is for asking Beginner Hobby Lock Picking questions only.

Pick guns

Postby 79x » 1 Aug 2010 14:08

Hi all,


Should a novice have any difficulty opening a yale lock with a pick gun? I have purchased some Southord picks and just cannot seem to acquire the ability to pick correctly.


Regards
79x
 
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Re: Pick guns

Postby Solomon » 1 Aug 2010 18:06

How long have you been trying to pick this lock? I gave up on picking a couple of times because I had a lock that was just too hard for me at the time, but I got it in the end and I was able to pick it in 10 seconds flat every time after that... just stick at it, I know it's frustrating but you will get the hang of it.

Assuming it's an actual Yale lock and not just a "yale style cylinder", you have to keep in mind that even their standard rim cylinders contain at least 2 spool pins... all their padlocks contain spools aswell and if you're not aware of how to deal with these pins you won't be able to pick it. Don't panic though, they're easy to identify and setting them is a breeze - you just need to know how, so look into that and go back to it again. If it's a kitemarked cylinder you may want to just try another lock and work your way up to it, as those are more well-machined and contain 3-4 serrated pins.

Now then, if it's a yale copy with all standard pins such as Bird, ERA, Sterling etc. and you're wondering why I'm droning on about that stuff cos that's not why you're having trouble, I offer you this... you could just have one with a crazy pin configuration. The bitting can determine how easy/difficult the lock is to pick; even the simplest of locks can become a nightmare if the pins are all over the place. Do you have a pic of the lock to hand? If so, put the key beside it aswell and let us be the judge. If it's not the bitting and it's not spools, then it's just a matter of working on your technique.

And trust me, if you want to pick as a hobby you won't get any fun out of using a pick gun. You'll get bored and toss it in the drawer after you pick a few locks with it, or worse yet it could just be a matter of not tensioning correctly and in that case you'll just be wasting your money. They're not magic tools and in all honesty if you haven't successfully picked a lock manually you probably won't be able to use one of those either. Get working on that technique! :mrgreen:
Solomon
 
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Re: Pick guns

Postby lock2006 » 1 Aug 2010 23:31

Using a lock pick gun requires precision
also sometimes this method will destroy the locks you are working with
sometimes this will cause the pin retainer to fly off, letting springs shoot out of the pin chambers
Lock pick guns do open locks and is up to you what method you want to use
like other member said here you will be better off trying regular picks
i know this method take times,but in the long run is worth it
hope this info hepls.
lock2006
 
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Re: Pick guns

Postby 79x » 2 Aug 2010 15:04

Thanks for the responses.

I guess Im just frustrated at the lack of progress and looking for shortcuts. I think a practice lock would be a good step. Can anyone recommend a good one? Are the transparent ones worth looking at?



Thanks
79x
 
Posts: 9
Joined: 9 Jan 2010 8:07

Re: Pick guns

Postby Solomon » 2 Aug 2010 16:11

79x wrote:Thanks for the responses.

I guess Im just frustrated at the lack of progress and looking for shortcuts. I think a practice lock would be a good step. Can anyone recommend a good one? Are the transparent ones worth looking at?



Thanks

It's easily done, I've been there more than once lol. Personally I'd recommend a cheapo rim cylinder that you can just take apart and repin, after all picking is all about feel. Repinning is a valuable skill aswell, if you stick with the hobby you're really gonna need it in the long run so you may as well get it out of the way. :mrgreen:

I got one of those transparent ones when I started out and although it does let you understand things a bit better they're overpriced and to be honest you'd learn more from an ordinary cylinder. The tolerances in those transparent ones are waaaay below average since they're made of acrylic, so they're alittle *too* easy to pick - also, you'll find yourself paying more attention to the visual aspect rather than what you can feel which isn't a good thing.

That aside, it'd be a handy thing to have if you feel you're doing something wrong but you're not sure what, that way you can take a look to see what's happening and correct yourself before you develop bad habits. So yeah if you wanna get one, go for it. I learned from mine, after all... just make sure to get some other locks along with it cos if you sit picking one of those too much it'll be harder to adjust to the more subtle feedback from regular cylinders. Have fun! :)
Solomon
 
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Location: Northern Ireland

Re: Pick guns

Postby 79x » 3 Aug 2010 16:50

79x
 
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Joined: 9 Jan 2010 8:07

Re: Pick guns

Postby Oaklandishh » 4 Aug 2010 1:42

It is a little expensive for what you are getting, but that kind of lock would probably be a good one to start with because its easily re-pinned. Where I live in the US you can get just a replacement cylinder like that for 6 USD.
Oaklandishh
 
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Re: Pick guns

Postby Solomon » 4 Aug 2010 17:40

Yep, that's perfect... although I'd begrudge paying £15 for it lol. It does have a retaining cap though, which is easily pryed off with a flathead and you can repin it without a plug follower or even tweezers so I'd say it's a great idea. Don't really see cylinders with retaining caps much in the UK apart from some removable core padlocks, so this is a cool find. :D
Solomon
 
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Re: Pick guns

Postby Squelchtone » 4 Aug 2010 17:54

79x wrote:Thanks for the responses.

I guess Im just frustrated at the lack of progress and looking for shortcuts. I think a practice lock would be a good step. Can anyone recommend a good one? Are the transparent ones worth looking at?


Thanks



So if you're looking for a practice lock, then I take it the lock you are trying to pick or pick gun open is not a practice lock and it's currently mounted on a door that you cannot get into? You know where I'm going with this right? People coming here looking for a fast way to get into a lock are usually up to something dodgy, and we try our best not to help people get into places that they don't have keys, access, or rights to. if this is your own lock on your own door to a spare bedroom or something and you cannot get in, just call a lockie or kick the door in. Unless lockpicking as a hobby is something that you actually want to get into as a fun hobby, getting all these picks and pick guns just to open 1 lock is probably a waste of time and money for you.

My advice is based on several years experience with replying to similar posts and situations, so I'm basing this on experience and not trying to single you out. I hope you appreciate where we are coming from.

Squelchtone
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