Can't pick a lock...

[ThaStallion]

Hey guys! First post here so it's obvious I'm a noobie but I am having some trouble. I bought a lock pick set online and it just came in the mail today! I am so excited because it seems to be a great hobby and I know it takes great skill and I am eager to learn. Anyways I tried picking just about any lock I can get my hands on in my house. My front door, garage door, back door, a brings padlock, and this round heavy duty padlock. Anyways I cannot do it at all. I take my time spending about 30 minutes on attempt but I just cannot get the hang of it. I tried raking and simply pushing the pins up one by one but I can't get. Are there any tips? Like how can I know I am pushing the tension wrench the right way? And what lock should I focus on at first because maybe I am starting on top advances of lock? The locks in my house, the first pin pushes down really hard.. Maybe thats a security pin? Ha thanks to all!

[Teddy Picker]

First tip is, don't practice on locks that you need to work! Picking, especially when done by a heavy-handed beginner, can damage locks!

Second, while the locks on your house probably aren't high-security locks or anything, they're also probably not absolute beginner locks. When I first started, I had trouble with a 1-pin lock. The locks on your house probably have 5 pins! Your best bet is to invest in a cheap cylinder from the hardware store (Kwikset or Schlage if you're in the US) and learn to re-pin it down to one pin. When that becomes easy for you, re-pin it with a second pin. As you gain skill, keep re-pinning it with more pins. When you can handle your cheap cylinder easily with all the pins, then think about getting more locks.

[keysman]

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