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

[Pickmequick]

Hi all,

Have browsed this forum a fair bit in the past and decided it's time to sign up and make a post :-)

I am a vehicle tech and messing with locks is part of that when required.

I have always been interested in locks and keys since i can remember but strangely never pursued a career in it :-(

I believe I am fairly "au fait" with common/modern day locks but doubt I can offer much to you guys but i will try.

Thanks for having me.

Rich.

[sam_h]

Great site. I am a locksmith instructor and this is a great resource for my students.

[Werxes]

Hey, I'm new here (obviously) and am just getting back into the hobby after a decade-long hiatus. Looking forward to contributing.

[cheerilee]

Hi, i've been lurking on and off here for some time now.
I just got my hands on a set to try myself and i have to say that i am hooked.

I also realize that I am a complete novice at this and have plenty of my own questions i would like to ask, hence the first time making an account.
Look forward to contributing to the community!

[Mrelectric]

I'm new to this
The forum chat thread thing and lock picking
If I offend anyone I'm sorry in advance
I started picking about 5 days ago
I've picked most everything around the house
And work and I gotta say this light hand thing sucks
But I freakinggot asked to pick a lock at work picked
One but got asked again ten min later and after two hours
I gave up ;( ... Be patient I guess

[danielcox9015]

Hi all, this looks like a great forum and I could learn alot. I have just started out and really enjoying it so far. May well find myself on here with a few questions in the near future though.

All the best everyone

[Ward]

Hello all;

I have used the forum for information many times over the past number of years but never signed up before. I am more of a lurker. I have been working in the security field for a long time but can't really elaborate on it. Reading the new user info, it suggests placing a 'first post' here so I am doing that but I apologize in advance that it's not particularly informative.

I'll just go lurk some more now :-)

[Mrelectric]

Wth does it mean when lock picker say their going to lurk some more

[Squelchtone]

Wth does it mean when lock picker say their going to lurk some more

Lurking is an internet forum word for people who read all the posts and get all the info they need, but dont participate or post much. "They lurk in the shadows"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lurker

Squelchtone

[Mrelectric]

Ty, I was thinking lurking n dark basements picking locks over and over lol

[Pickard1972]

Hi everyone I'm new to lock picking I recently completed a course in the UK with 1st call lockouts and would like to start trading as an emergency locksmith

[MrWizard]

Hi

I just joined today. This forum is a treasure trove of information. I have been a locksmith since 1978 and own my own business in Phoenix Arizona. Been a Member of Associated Locksmiths Of America also since 1978.

I have knowledge in most all facets of the trade. Came here looking for information on antique locks. I have just started collecting Push Key type padlocks and old lever locks. I found there is others here that have some amazing craftsman skills in faceting keys out of bar stock with limited machines that is truly a art that most of today's locksmiths just don't have.

I started picking locks as a young child of the age of 8 years old when I made my first lock pick from stainless steel part of windshield wiper blade and attached a stainless steel handle on it. This was my first experience just how hard it is to drill a hole in stainless steel with conventional drill bit. Had to keep resharpening it at different angels to finally get through this material. Bit became very short very quickly. : )

At the time I had always seen locks picked on TV they never used a tension wrench so I had no knowledge one was even needed. But with the wiper blade pick it was wider than a normal factory made pick and had spring to it when twisted. I was able to open any master lock and some heavy brass Weiser padlocks with it very quickly without the need for a tension wrench.

I was opening wafer desk locks and padlocks with the nail file part of fingernail clippers before I ever made the wiper blade pick, It just came natural for me. I would run out past my dad to the garage with my new pick and open that large Weiser 5 pin tumbler padlock before he could get to the door with the key. He found it amazing but was concerned I was able to do this figured I was on a fast track to trouble. I was able to open Smith & Wesson handcuffs double locked behind my back with a small safety pin, I was and still am into Magic as well.

Dialed open any Master, Yale, Dudley, combo locks without looking at the dial while watching tv. I was clearly destine to become a locksmith always found it fascinating. I hope to be able to contribute some information to this community as well as learn some things about some old antique lever type locks I am now collecting.

Thanks Richard

[wery67564]

Hello from New Orleans!

I'm active duty military, tho the only experience that has gotten me is picking locks in file cabinets that people don't have the keys for :P

Just getting into door locks/locksport for the first time, look forward to earning and sharing knowledge in this community!

[crusaderman]

Hi to everyone. This is a great site for lock enlightenment! I'm a NOVICE locksmith compared to the majority of peeps posting on here.
Had a week's formal training back in November 2010 at considerable cost, but didn't really get my business up and running properly til July this year. I love the job and getting people out of a "Fix" I run as a Mobile Locksmith, with on-board key cutting service. Can be very rewarding and sometimes a very frustrating occupation as more often than not the job you go to is rarely quite what you anticipated. But that's all part of the learning curve and adds to the fun. So just like to say hi once again and look forward to making some mates on here.

[castarmax]

I'm John. Been playing with alarms, locks, and all types of "puzzles" for as long as I can remember. Was 14 when I rekeyed my first lock without a follower by using longer bottom pins from another lock, an old key, and filed the pins to fit. Tuffest part was putting springs, top pins, in from inside one at a time and keeping in place with the core. NOT the way to do it lol.
I have picked locks by raking but it seems to me SPP is an art. Just bought a set of picks and Im going to teach myself this art. Thanks guys for all the vids and explanations.