Woo-Hoo I can pick locks, now what?

[aku]

Hey guys.
I started lockpicking Friday got a lock from the hardware shop that makes changing pins really easy, went from one pin to five, not I can pick it in about 40 seconds, using top tension too. Where do I go from here? Are there any challenges I can do with the lock I have? what's the next lock I should get (bear in mind we have different brands to the US)?

[Josh66]

What kind of pins are in the lock you have now? You could start adding security pins to it one at a time.

Or buy a lock that already has them. Not sure what's available to you, but you should be able to find a decent lock with some security pins without breaking the bank.
Personally, I would start with spool pins - it'll be a nice step up, but not as hard as serrated pins.

[johnw]

Agreed, try adding spool pins. Start collecting locks from ebay, craigslist, these forums and learning as much as you can about their differences, particularly commercial locks. You will grow from there.

[Altashot]

Good job! you got it quick!

I remember how I felt the first time I picked a lock.
It was a Weiser knob, then another one, then a Schlage....
...Now I,m a locksmith and I do it for a living...

What brand is your lock? It would help, to know what to suggest next.
Ask around, I'm sure you'll find someone that has and old lock to give away.
Garage sales and flea markets are good places too.

The art of lock-picking is not about picking one lock and moving to a harder one,
it's about picking them in the first place. Even locks of the same brand and model will feel different...

If you want to do more with that one for now,
you can try upside down and sideways, it has a different feel.
Can you pick it in both directions? Did you try moving the pins around to create different combinations? Put the longest pin in front of the shortest.
You can practice it the dark. Visualize what is happening in the keyway.
Depriving yourself of your sight will help you develop a better feel.
You can also try spool pins in different positions........
there's a lot you can do.

Welcome to lock-picking and have fun.

M.

[Squelchtone]

Hey guys.
I started lockpicking Friday got a lock from the hardware shop that makes changing pins really easy, went from one pin to five, not I can pick it in about 40 seconds, using top tension too. Where do I go from here? Are there any challenges I can do with the lock I have? what's the next lock I should get (bear in mind we have different brands to the US)?

Please share with us what brand/model lock you got so others can go out and buy one. Also fill out your profile and include your State or Province or country.

post a pic too, you can host it for free at http://tinypic.com and paste the [IMG] here, try to keep photos to 800x600 so they fit on the screen.

Thanks and happy picking!

Squelchtone

[lock2006]

You should try American locks,Best locks or Medeco locks and see
if that give you a better challenge
and let us knows how things turn out and if you need any help on that
you know where to ask
hope this helps.

[GWiens2001]

Lock2006...

You forgot to mention Bilock. Then he can pick both rows of pins without having to flip over his pick or move his tension wrench.

[aku]

Sorry I didnt reply sooner, I've had a crazy few days. Im based Ireland, the lock was a generic no name lock I bought a woodies (like home depo) it has 5 basic pins and a simple clip to change them,no tools required which was perfect for me. I think I have a lock at home I took apart years ago with a few mushroom pins but I cant seem to find it. I dont think the the brands mentioned are available here but the internet provides.
Does anyone know of a padlock that makes changing the pins easy for on the move practice?

[Josh66]

Yale padlocks are pretty easy to repin. The keyway can be tricky too.

[GWiens2001]

You might try an Abus, or similar lock with a changable core, meant to be keyed the same as your house. American Brand locks are fairly easy to repin, but tough to pick to start with. They also require a different diameter of pins.

There are many people here who know a lot more than I do, as my exposure has been limited until recently. I am sure you will find more answers here, shortly.

Good luck.

[raimundo]

Now start looking for sweeper bristles in the gutter,
your gonna want to make some custome tensors.

[GWiens2001]

Believe it or not, the sweepers around here all use plastic bristles, which kinda suck for picks.

[Buzo]

@GWiens

Same here in Washington state in the U.S. Street sweepers use stiff nylon bristles. Not very good for makin stuff

My suggestion is using windshield wiper blade inserts. You can go to your local auto parts store and look in the trash outside or get to know the folks that work there to have them save you a couple. The metal inserts in the blades are good quality spring steel and are usually between 12-18" (inches) long and can make between 4 and 6 tension wrenches each. I keep a piece in my pick wallet in case I ever run into a lock that I need a custom wrench for, that I don't already have made, or is with my other locksmithing supplies.

[GWiens2001]

Or I can just keep the ones I replace at work. Oh, wait... I already do".

[dhoelzer]

I would tell you to move on to impressioning locks.

Personally, I find impressioning to be easier than picking, but I also find it to be way more fun and interesting! To get started you just need a pair of small vice grips, some key blanks to match the keyway of a lock you have handy, a fine round file, a good light and a magnifier. Honestly, you can do a good amount of impressioning without the magnifier, but it helps a great deal.

The only caution I'd give you if you get started impressioning is to think about how you're cutting the key. There are companies that sell "killer keys" that can't be removed from keyways. If you're using a half-round file or a square file, it's very very easy to inadvertently create a killer key if you don't leave a gentle enough path for the pins to follow when you pull the key back out.