Beginner's Lockpicking Exercise - by digital_blue

[Luissen]

I know the saying A BAD WORKMAN BLAMES HIS TOOLS, but in this case my modified hair clip had done all it was going to do.

I would actually blame the hairclip, I started with one, and I didn't understand any of the "weight" or "pressure" that some attribute to or describe bound pin stacks as.

then again... I've also seen someone pick with a piece cut from a 2x4, though I wasn't sure if he was raking or SPP with it.

[Lucid Faia]

Thanks; I'm using this exercise right now. I have to say, I was a little weirded out by how easy lockpicking seemed on paper, but it's taking some practice to get a feel for everything.

[glens_1999]

This has been very helpful to me. I've been getting frustrated with security pins. I need to go back to this tutorial and work my way up.

Thank you for doing this.

Glen

[Red23]

I managed to pick a cheap padlock, but I think it was dumb luck because the other padlock I have of the same brand is not happening and the Abloy lock I have doesn't go either.

I have a GOSO 21 pick set and some stuff on the way. A set of Ti Bogota's from Serepick as well as a 6 pin repinnable euro lock bought from here http://locksaway.com/products/13-locksawaycom.aspx

Once I get this stuff I plan on starting at step one and working my way through it.

Also found some vids on youtube which look good (picked my first lock after seeing it)
http://www.youtube.com/user/SchuylerTowne

[GWiens2001]

I managed to pick a cheap padlock, but I think it was dumb luck because the other padlock I have of the same brand is not happening and the Abloy lock I have doesn't go either.

I have a GOSO 21 pick set and some stuff on the way. A set of Ti Bogota's from Serepick as well as a 6 pin repinnable euro lock bought from here http://locksaway.com/products/13-locksawaycom.aspx

Once I get this stuff I plan on starting at step one and working my way through it.

Also found some vids on youtube which look good (picked my first lock after seeing it)
http://www.youtube.com/user/SchuylerTowne

If you are able to pick an ABLOY with a standard pick set, many people here will be surprised. Congratulations on the cheap padlock... we all start somewhere!

Gordon

[Red23]

thanks mate

I doubt I'll get the abloy, I've put it down until I get my cutaway lock to play with, then I can work out the feel of things before going in blind.

[cowboypicker]

Being new to lockpicking, I have been doing this exersize over the past few weeks. At first it seemed kinda pointless until I started to try some other padlocks I had and noticed my "feel" seemed to improve.

[Whyitell]

Thanks alot db I now know what I am looking for, I used to just 'poke and prod' but now I try and feel it (Thats what she said).

[AusBazza]

Great Idea and Info Digital_Blue.... But now I gotta wait till morning and go buy a lock to muck around with

Thanks, AusBazza

[pmaxey83]

This exercise helped me a ton. Going from Master 3s to a Corbin Mortise(no security pins) was like night and day for a beginner like me. Thankfully it is a practice lock so I could strip the pins down to 1 and work my way up. Using this method, I have a completely different picture in my mind now, especially in identifying binding order.

[glassTransition]

Hi I'm a total noob to lockpicking and only started out of necessity. I found it addictive so I've begun the journey to acquiring some skill beyond just banging away with a rake until they open. I found this post and have been practicing this exercise but am having some confounding results.

I bought the cheapest Kwikset residential entry set I could find. The strange thing is that with tension in one direction I can feel the binding and sets very clearly. In the other direction though, I can't feel anything! I'm assuming that this is due to the sloppy manufacturing. I would get another lock, but I'd like to have the skill to diagnose and attack whatever is at hand. Is this common and how would an experienced picker recognize that there was a directional difference? What if a particular lock only opens one way? Is the asymmetry being exaggerated by having less than a full complement of pin stacks installed? How much does the tension wrench's orientation affect feel? Is it possible or desirable to use the same wrench position for both directions? I know there will likely be some variation regardless.

This leads to a possible new thread: maximizing feel (I could take a cue from Solomon and say some pretty funny stuff, but I'll keep it above board for now - being new and all...) What I'm referring to are things like applying pressure to the tension wrench as far from the pivot as possible so as to get the greatest motion from a set. Are there others that veterans would suggest?

Thanks for any help or guidance.

[BM-Locksmith]

So great so this this guide and be able to read it. Crazy to think how much I've learned over the past 15 years. Hope this posts helps some new inspiring locksmiths! And even older ones too!!

[bjornnrojb]

hey glass, the problem you are experiencing with the setting of pins sounds to me like an issue with tension wrench placement. If the tension wrench is placed in the very bottom of the keyway, it will often bind against the housing of the plug. That is to say, if the tension wrench is placed in the bottom of the plug you may find that you can't turn the plug at all! You can see this for yourself by doing what I did when I first realized this might be a problem: pick your lock, turn the plug ninety degrees, and then stick your tension wrench in the bottom of the plug and try turning it both ways. It might work one way, but when you turn it the other way it very likely won't work. The tension wrench will bind between the plug and the cylinder. This can be useful to you if you are trying to pick an sfic cylinder to control.

[swampy3524]

After taking a long period off from picking locks due to pain in tendons and ligamets I have got back into lock picking. It frustrated me that I have to relearn some skills. At first I thaught I could pick up where I left off I was wrong. So thanks for the post sometimes we all have to go back to the basics and get rid of bad habbits or relearn a feeling.

[dieseldump]

Thanks for a great practice drill! I have only gotten to three pins but I already feel that I've learned more than ever! The stupid thing is, I only have one regular driver pin in my practice lock. I managed to get around it by using some of the security pins (double spools) upside down and a short key pin as a driver pin. It is also giving me a lot more confidence and I have now managed to single pick some of my old padlocks I have only opened by raking before. My fingers hurt but this is addictive!