New to the trade...How do it do this?

[akop7]

So i'm new to this hobby i bought myself this little gadget http://www.dealextreme.com/p/manual-pick-gun-5-piece-set-17606 . I've played a bit with it but couldnt get it to open anything....


Below are the two types of locks i've been trying to pick lock. Unsuccessfuly of course.









Seems easier here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYSjWkQ404U&feature=player_embedded


Any tips or instructions would be greatly appreciated

Greeting

[Doctor Hexagon]

Using snap guns like the one you have pictured isn't a very good way to learn the intricacies of picking locks.
In fact snap guns require a specific practice and technique to use effectively and cannot be used on more
advanced styles of locking mechanisms. Snap guns are most effectively used by people that already have a
good understanding of how to pick locks for the simple reason that they don't always work the way you want
them to on a lock and you will then have to resort to picking the lock manually if you wish to open it.

Do you already own a set of manual picks? If not I recommend that you search for a good basic set, or craft
your own home made picks by following some tutorials here on site. Once you acquire some picks, start with
digital_blue's exercise so you can start
learning at the beginning instead of skipping ahead.

Snap guns are, in my opinion, more of a shortcut tool to allow someone such as a professional to quickly open
a lock to complete their job and then move on to another.

Are these Kwikset Titan series locks? If they are, they aren't a particularly good place to start learning. I don't
know very much about them since they seem to be quite rare in my local area. The little that I know is that
they are 6 pin locks instead of the more common 5 pin locks, and they may even contain some picking resistant
features, in which case, you ought to find another lock.

Also, and this is the more important part, are these lock currently in service? To clarify, are they being used in
any way on your home? If they are, I -strongly- recommend that you do not pick them or do anything else to
them besides using them normally with a key.

[calvinism]

Ya i doubt that u would be able to pick that top one with a pick gun. . Looks to me like a multi lock

[dls]

Hold on lads it looks like these locks are still in the door whats the rule on locks in use

[Theist17]

Hold on lads it looks like these locks are still in the door whats the rule on locks in use

Seconded.
What're you doing picking those Titans right off the bat, anyway? Seems fishy to me, but i guess I"m just being paranoid.

Try starting off with manual picks, as suggested above, and try picking some simpler locks.

[dls]

Here is my thinking on this
You have some reason to get into a room or building you dont belong in.
You dont want to let anybody know you have been in when you are finished.
So you decide to pick the locks but you cant pick them.
Then you hear there is a machine to do it for you
So you buy one but you dont know how to pick locks with the machine either.

[amcutem]

All I can say is goodluck brother picker. Im a newbie picker my self like you and I would take everyones advice on not picking any working locks. I tried to do ours and now it wont
Open at all.

[Solomon]

I dunno about the rest of you but I'm having a good chuckle picturing someone trying to pick a euro profile dimple with an upwards firing pick gun.

Akop... some things to consider:

1. Pick guns require a lot practice. You're better off learning how to pick locks properly, manual pick guns aren't the most reliable as it is so without knowing exactly what you're doing they're pretty much useless. It's not something you buy and just start opening locks with, I'd been picking locks for over 5 years before I bought one and I can honestly say I don't like them one bit. It's much faster to just rake locks open with standard tools, there is nothing I can open with it that I can't open faster with normal picks. Some people can use them very well though.

2. That gun is for locks with pins mounted at the top. It is extremely fiddly using one on euros, especially considering the handle gets in the way. You shouldn't be picking locks that are in use anyway, since you clearly have no idea what you're doing.

3. It also won't work on dimples, regardless of pin orientation. There is a pick gun blade designed for dimples but they're more reliable in an EPG. Titan dimple locks are standard stuff and can be picked manually without much trouble. Stop wasting your time with gadgets and buy some real picks, at least that way you'll know what's going on inside the lock instead of just snapping away at it and hoping for the best.

4. You chose the cheapest pick gun available, which will most likely break within a few weeks with normal use. With improper use I give it a few days. On the upside, it's better that you didn't spend any real money on it cos now you know it's not that easy!

Go buy some actual picks, learn how everything works and get practicing. There are no shortcuts in this game.

[bobhdus]

I agree with everyone else as far as whether you should be picking a lock that is installed on a door. But as far as the snap gun is concerned, I bought one years ago and just never got the hang of it. I prefer picking. If your not careful, it will wear out your pins or wafers as well. Its like using a key or rake pick X 1000 cycles. I have seen several locks ruined to the point that the original key no longer worked the lock. Better to learn to pick first.