Trouble with practice lock

[Drizzcon]

I have a cut-away practice cylinder that I'm using currently. It is currently set up with 2 pins in it. The problem I'm having is the front pin is a good bit longer than the back pin. I have tried to use the hook pick, but i still seem to push the first pin past sheer line when i try to work with the back pin. I have also tried with back first, but i cant hold the back one in place with tension cause the front one gets held past the sheer line. Any tips one how to pick this would be helpful.

[MBI]

Perhaps try a thinner hook, or a longer one with a bit more "reach".

Also, I'd suggest not practicing with a cutaway. It's a great way to understand how a lock works, but not the greatest way to pick. It can teach you bad habits so you try to use your eyes, rather than going by feel. Also, the feedback is usually different with a cutaway lock.

[calvinism]

Also try tension on the pins side. That way u get more room to angle ur pick

[Fire Fox]

I'm running into the same problem. I currently have four pins and pin number three happens to be quite long and is almost at the sheer line already. Pin number four is a really small pin.

What I've been trying is to allow the third pin to go past the sheer line. I then have better access to the fourth pin. I pick the fourth pin and then very carefully lessen the tension until the third pin drops down. This sometimes works, so I'm interested in seeing what advice there is for this situation

[edsmiley]

Totally agree with MBI about not using a cutaway to learn. Use it to get an understanding of how things work, but then go buy a cheapo rekeyable and take some pins out and practice that way.

Ed

[Oldfast]

Also try tension on the pins side. That way u get more room to angle ur pick

Yea, tensioning from the top is the way to go in most cases. This allows you to utilize more of the keyway and you're left with more space to manuever your pick. If you don't have a tensor for this you could try putting a small bend in the other end of one you already have (or make one from the inserts found in windshield wiper blades). Try for around an 1/8 inch working end- you want it long enough to get a "bite" in the keyway, but not so long that it's touching the 1st pin.
An assortment of hooks also helps for those extreme bittings. Personally, I've always liked SouthOrds slimline picks. You sacrifice a little strength, but the stem on these is not quite as tall as the standard size. This to helps from unintensionally touching pins.