how to pick back a lock

[locknewb009]

I have practiced unlocking several different locks at home and begun to understand some of the mechanics inside it. One thing I'm not getting is if I pick a lock I often times can't lock it back afterwards. I would have thought most locks would allow you to apply the same method you used to unlock them in reverse. thoughts?

[gloves]

I have practiced unlocking several different locks at home and begun to understand some of the mechanics inside it. One thing I'm not getting is if I pick a lock I often times can't lock it back afterwards. I would have thought most locks would allow you to apply the same method you used to unlock them in reverse. thoughts?

I guess you're picking pin tumbler locks. Did you take a look at the guides here in the FAQ section or the article regarding pin tumblers on lockwiki http://www.lockwiki.com/index.php/Pin_tumbler ? If you didn't already, I suggest you to take a look around and read. It saves time to understand concepts explained rather than "discovering" them on your own

Most padlocks will spring back to a locked position of the cylinder once you've picked them open and relieve tension, while for door cylinders putting torque in the opposite direction if often enough to lock them again.
Could you explain more carefully what happens after you've picked them, and also tell us which make/models are you using?

I'm tempted to think about cylinders requiring multiple turns to open, which require to be picked again at each turn unless you use some nifty upgrades. Again since you said you can't lock it back I guess this isn't your situation.

Let us know, thank you

[locknewb009]

yes, I have looked at some of the information on picking pin tumbler locks and am gaining a better understanding of the mechanics from that. I can get a basic doorknob to lock back after picking. I've also been able to get a deadbolt to lock back. Now I have a couple of different cheap sentry safes that I had that I wasn't using. Well one of them had my hunting ammo in it, but I keep the stuff in a locked room, so i wasn't worried about taking the ammo out for a day while I tried to figure out how to hack the safe. That particular safe is a Sentry esb-3. It has an electronic lock, but I was focusing on trying to pick the keyed lock on it. I am able to pick it every time with no problem, but I can't get it to lock back without using the keys. This is confusing to me because I figured I should be able to lock it back using the same method I used to unlock it. I would have thought that by applying slight pressure in the reverse order and by systematically pushing the pins in the correct order that it would push the springs down and allow the lock to go back into place. Am I missing something?

thanks for the pointers

[gloves]

I see. Combination and electronic locks discussion is not allowed in the public forums, but since you're just asking on how to lock again an opened safe, I guess there shouldn't be problems.

What happens if after picking it successfully you put zero tension on the wrench? Does it spring back to locked or turn any way around? Can you feel pins binding from the unlocked position?

I took a look at your safe's owner manual on the Sentry website, and about locking it says the following: "Note: to lock, return knob and key to the locked position". Maybe you're missing the additional step of returning the knob to locked position? Are you turning your lock too much with the tension wrench after you've picked it? The owner manual is very specific about how much turning of the key.

Cheers

[dls]

Maybe somebody just unlocked daddys moonshine and needs to lock it up before he finds out