Looking for the next step...

[Buzo]

I've only been into locksport and locksmithing for about 2 months and can now pick most of the off-the-shelf locks at the hardware store. I work in a high-rise in seattle so I have access to several styles of shlage 5 and 6 pin tumbler locks which I can also get through consistantly with any number of pin configurations with and without master pins. I use all home made picks and tension wrenches as I don't have much cash to purchase higher end tools (and so far I rather like my tools and they do the job well) so I also don't have the cash to spend on higher end locks. So my question is: what's next? I would like to start on security pins but my re-key set I have does not include any. Any advice as to where to turn next?

[gibson]

wherever you got your re-key set from should be able to supply security pins. lockpickshop.com and lockpicks.com should both be able to supply you, they're made by LAB. you could also try keying your locks to extreme bitings, like a very short pin behind a very long pin - something beyond what you might encounter, or is suggested for maximum adjacent cuts for a given brand of lock (919191?). you could also pick up a mortise cylinder from a locksmith (not a big box store) that has a more restrictive keyway, like a yale y1 or corbin/russwin, sargent, etc. it sounds like you''re off to a great start, keep up the good work!

[Buzo]

That is great advice, and I thank you. Which of the different types of security pins should I start out with? I will obviously only start with one or two pin stacks anyway so I will eventually be able to practice my way through them all, but which is best to start with? Mushroom, spool, or serrated? Thanks again!

[gibson]

go with spool pins first. these will give you a positive feed back when they get caught on the lip of the plug. start with one chamber pinned using a regular top pin, and one with a spool pin. when using spool pins, the first chamber is usually pinned with a standard top pin. this makes it easier for the key to be inserted. when a spool pin is set, the plug will turn a few degrees, and then stop. when you push on the pin stack with the spool pin, the plug will counter rotate, that is, turn in the direction away from the one you're applying tension. this is where the juggling act starts because you want to keep enough tension on the plug to keep any pin stacks you've picked from falling back down, but not enough to prevent you from pushing the spool pin into the spring chamber. there's some excellent vids out there showing how to pick cylinders with security pins in them, as well a other postings on this site that probably do a lot better job of explaining this than me. good luck!

[Buzo]

First, thank you again gibson for the good advice. I have found it a bit difficult to buy security pins by themselves so I started looking around for "high security" padlocks. I found a fairly cheap brinks lock at walmart that after a bit of practice I can now consistantly open. It has one mushroom pin in the firts stack that I had trouble identifying at first, but with the help of the forums I was able to identify and defeat. The only other lock I've tried with security pins is a American padlock that I think is a little too advanced for me just yet, so I am still looking for the next challenge/learning experience. Thanks again!

[Buzo]

Also, I have gotten into some of the yale locks that you recommended and indeed they are challenging! The keyway is definetely the source of the difficulty but with practice I can now get past them fairly quickly. I also tried the 191919 pinning in the schage locks and found that to be quite entertaining and fun! With the info here in the forums I have been able to teach some of my buddies at work to pick and now we are challenging eachother! great info from everyone! Thanks!

[gibson]

thanks for the kind words, it means a lot. i read your comments about tension tools to atticrr and it sounds like you're doing great at this sport/hobby/vocation. another way to improve your skills is to try picking the same cylinder in a variety of different ways. top of keyway tensioning, bottom of keyway. clockwise and counter clockwise rotation. single pin picking and raking. to paraphrase a president "i'm not done with a lock until i've had it three ways". good luck!

[Buzo]

I have done exactly that. I have a limited amout of locks right now so I have tried to change it up as much as I can to keep it intersting. I've done them all upsidedown using thumb and forefinger tensioning and trying different tensioning techniques like bottom keyway top keyway etc. I've also tried with different types of picks. When I started picking I used only raking but eventually went to exclusively spp then a combination of the two. I just picked my first 5 pin medeco lock on the second try (after resetting the pins once) with a half diamond, half hook combo. Diamond to set sidebar grooves and hook to set the shearline. Can't tell you how excited I was when I hit that last pin and the plug rotated!! Once I knew I could do it I opened it twice more just to make sure it wasn't a fluke!

I'm now 3/4 of the way through a locksmithing course in under a month and should have it completed by the end of next week. I also had a great interview today with my local locksmith who is an amazing guy. I should be hearing back from them by Monday to see if I can start with him and his team in the next couple weeks! Cross your fingers for me!! And thank you all again for the absolutely great resource that is this forum. I have directed some of my co workers here who want to pick up the hobby!