Having lots of trouble picking a particular lock...

[ayepatch]

My girlfriend recently got me a set of lockpicks as an early Christmas present... The first lock I'm working on is, as far as I can gather, a "Hamilton 40mm". After web searches, all I can find are general 40mm lockpicking tutorials.

I've had a lot of trouble with the lock. I've got about 4 hours of work accumulated on this thing, and I cannot for the life of me get it open. The key works just fine, so I know the lock is functioning properly.

I have no idea whatsoever on how to work this thing, and it's driving me insane. I've countless techniques based on my own ideas or various videos. I know I've probably given a very broad description of the lock itself, but it's the most specific I can get. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[WolfSpring]

Pictures of the keyway always help. And tutorials on picking in general understanding raking vs SPP, read up on some of it, read about locks themselves and get a good understanding exactly how it works. The only difference it will have from any other lock of the same kind of lock(probably pin tumbler) most likely is if it has security pins or not, and then it's a matter of can you rake it or does it need to be Single Pin Picked(SPP) Again search around on here and on you tube just for the basics of how locks work and the two mentioned picking techniques.

[Violaetor]

This is what I tell everyone their first time picking.

The very first time you open a lock it will be a total fluke, just opening it is key.

Picking is 95% tension wrench and 5% picking.

You can be a complete idiot with the pick and still get the lock open, but if you don't know what you're
doing with the wrench you'll never get it open.

Start off without the wrench in and just feel how the pins respond to the pick, then insert the wrench and just
rest your finger on it, don't apply any pressure and feel the pins again, continue to do this and apply ever so little
more pressure.

You are bound to set a few pins in the process, these pins will have no resistance to picking then a sudden hard
end feel as they hit the top.

Continue picking at the pins that still give springy resistance and giving slightly more pressure.

If you feel that the lock should have opened by now, gently rake the pins a few times, varying your pressure on the wrench lightly (more and less).

Most importantly, don't give up, reset the lock with a jiggle and try again.

If you get a 10-15 degree turn in the lock but no open, chances are it has security pins and thats another story, try picking your garage entry door etc, slimmer chance that you will encounter tricky pins.