ARCHIVE 2003-2013 Introduce yourself HERE if you are new. :)

[McPicky]

Hello, new here and just wanted to say hi and offer a free tip in return for some excellent information i have already read on this forum...:)
For all those of you that make your own kit and want a decent handle material then may i suggest a material called 'Polymorph'......its small granulated plastic beads that when dissolved in hot water turn in to a mouldable plastic to any shape you require...great stuff, cheap as chips to buy and solidifies to a hard plastic that can also be painted , i used to use it for my modelling and no...i'm not affiliated to this in any way ...lol, sorry but been on forums before and when you mention something commercial that might help all of a sudden your a target...ho hum...lol
Any way, i'm an addictive type of guy who used to dabble in magic and have recently become hooked on lock picking, wifey can't figure it out, she thinks i'm planning a hoist...lol
Thats me and nice to be a part of the community.

[chittnp]

New to Locksport, I look forward to learning and sharing what I learn!

[Taz007]

Hello I am just starting my business here in California and I have picked and done some key impreshioning. and I still need to get a Tubular Lock pick could you let me know what you would recommend?

[rancurt2]

Hello All,

I've been lurking around here for about a week now and have found this site to be an amazing wealth of information and good people. I've always been interested in lock picking and even managed to pick a padlock once with a paperclip and small screwdriver but it was a LOT more luck than skill or knowledge. After chancing across a few videos on Youtube, hearing someone mention this site, and a few minutes work transforming a cheap old pumpkin carving tool into a short hook pick, I'm happy to say I've found what I believe will be a lifelong addiction.

So far I've managed to pick an old gun lock, an unused deadbolt, a masterlock #3, and a lock off an old cabinet. I've already started getting old locks donated to the cause, thanks to my wonderful gf...right now I'm working on cleaning up two old masterlock #1's and four old Best padlocks...tomorrow should be a fun day ;) I'd like to thank you guys for providing newbies like myself a place to come and learn and share our experiences with this awesome hobby/sport.

[stjohn]

hi guys,
I am a lock pick designer and maker based in europe. Happy to share and learn...

cheers,
st.john

[Brianwu]

Hi im new, how are you

[harley05]

Hi, I'm an REO property manager and constantly come across houses where the previous owners have not left the keys, so after causing much damage to locks, doorframes and windows, i've decided to learn lock picking. Hope to get licensed in CT sometime but it looks like a real PITA lol. Got a set of Southord MAX on the way and cannot wait to get learning. Ed NW hills of CT

[KiltedFox]

Greetings all! I am Kiltedfox, currently an Army IT geek. I hope to aim for my Certified Ethical Hacker status once I am no longer in the military, and for real, full-on penetration testing, this is a valuable skill.
Not only that, but having a computer geek's mindset leads me to find this subject infinitely interesting at a "puzzle" level, and it is a skill I've always meant to learn just to know it.
The third thing, to be honest, my dumbass subordinate soldiers lose more keys than I can count, and rather than cut them, I'd rather open them up and take 'me home to get better on.
I have very rudimentary skills, but my first real picks (southord) arrive via UPS to-morrow, and I'm looking forward to learning and having a community to ask for advice.
In the meantime, I believe I'll have another drink.
Slaínte!
Prost!
Salud!
Kon Pai!
Tchin Tchin!

[lotsofideas]

Hey,

I'm in middle of changing careers. I was(am) a director of operations for a large Ecommerce company. I'll be leaving at the end of the month and starting a new job as a Software/Web developer in the beginning of February. So January is going to be a time of starting new hobbies and getting to some of that stuff I've relegated to my bucket list over the years. I've always wanted to know how to pick locks. I'm pretty much curios about everything under the sun (aside from professional sports) but locks have always had this mysterious almost surreal aura to them. Now's my time!

[Bladen]

How can I pick my parents bedroom door to get my xbox 360 controller back?

I kid.
Hello from Minnesota!
I've read lots here and learned a ton.
I look forward to learning more and giving input where I can.

I hope you all are having a wonderful holiday.

Take care,
Bladen

[pineapplebackpack]

Hello all,

Another hello from Minnesota, the University specifically. I'm pursuing a degree in Electrical Engineering and lock picking has been a passion/ hobby of mine for years. I've already learned a ton from just skimming the boards and can't wait to begin contributing to the community.

If anyone is curious, my specialty (if it can be called that) has been with combination locks; both master lock style and smaller safes. I'm progressing well with pin/tumbler picking but I have a lot of practice to do.

Sincerely,
Pineapplebackpack

[instilocktutionsmith]

Hi all. Names Chad and I've been an Institutionl Locksmith for almost 13 years.
Working in a institution setting I do not get a lot of opportunities to work on
other manufacturer locksets and keys. Nor do I work on any automotive jobs.
I have always wanted to expand my knowledge into other areas of lockmsithing.

I will start here.

My main scope of work is with Small Format Interchangeable Cores.
So, I'll be glad to answer any question about that if there are any.

[ddac]

New here. Trying to research on a small home security safe that is fireproof for at least 30 minutes. Just something small to store important documents (passport, birth certificate, etc) along with small valuables when I'm away from home.

Why can't I access the "Safe" section of the forum?

[Squelchtone]

New here. Trying to research on a small home security safe that is fireproof for at least 30 minutes. Just something small to store important documents (passport, birth certificate, etc) along with small valuables when I'm away from home.

Why can't I access the "Safe" section of the forum?

Because our Safe section isn't a place to ask what safe to buy at Home Depot, its a place to tell you how to crack a combination or where to drill a hole to get into someone's safe. Not the kind of stuff we want anyone who signs up to have access to for obvious reasons. It is reserverd for long time members who apply to that area for access.

Get a Gardall from your local locksmith, stay away from anything made by Sentry or First Alert. Amsec is good too, but expensive, their base model is the AMSEC FS149 costs around $150-$199.

This is 5000 times better than anything you find at Home Depot, Staples, or Walmart:
This seller is reputable and easy to work with: http://www.ebay.com/itm/170690901507

Gadrall's website for the above model:
http://www.gardall.com/area-safes-safe- ... ve.htm.htm

Also, please consider a 2 hour safe, your valuables are well worth it, and when you get a safe, make sure it is bolted down in a closet to the wood floor, or in your basement to the concrete floor, so a bad guy cant just put it on a dolly and walk off with it.. Even a heavy safe of several hundred pounds is easy to carry off by a couple guys.

See ya on the forums,
Squelchtone

[ddac]

Thanks for the info! This is exactly the type of advice I was looking for! I was hoping to get advice from people who knew most about locks.

I currently have a Walmart/Home Depot type of safe and would like to upgrade.

[img]http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/xx56/_cadd_/Misc/IMG_1155.jpg[/img]

Let me know if there are other brands I should consider.

Thanks again!

Also, what's your opinion regarding digital keypad vs traditional dial lock?