Lock Picking 101 Forum
A community dedicated to the fun and ethical hobby of lock picking.
       

Lock Picking 101 Home
Login
Profile
Members
Forum Rules
Frequent Forum Questions
SEARCH
View New Posts
View Active Topics


Live Chat on Discord
LP101 Forum Chat
Keypicking Forum Chat
Reddit r/lockpicking Chat



Learn How to Pick Locks
FAQs & General Questions
Got Beginner Questions?
Pick-Fu [Intermediate Level]


Ask a Locksmith
This Old Lock
This Old Safe
What Lock Should I Buy?



Hardware
Locks
Lock Patents
Lock Picks
Lock Bumping
Lock Impressioning
Lock Pick Guns, Snappers
European Locks & Picks
The Machine Shop
The Open Source Lock
Handcuffs


Member Spotlight
Member Introductions
Member Lock Collections
Member Social Media


Off Topic
General Chatter
Other Puzzles


Locksmith Business Info
Training & Licensing
Running a Business
Keyways & Key Blanks
Key Machines
Master Keyed Systems
Closers and Crash Bars
Life Safety Compliance
Electronic Locks & Access
Locksmith Supplies
Locksmith Lounge


Buy Sell Trade
Buy - Sell - Trade
It came from Ebay!


Advanced Topics
Membership Information
Special Access Required:
High Security Locks
Vending Locks
Advanced Lock Pick Tools
Bypass Techniques
Safes & Safe Locks
Automotive Entry & Tools
Advanced Buy/Sell/Trade


Locksport Groups
Locksport Local
Chapter President's Office
Locksport Board Room
 

Looking for some advice

Tool recommendations, information on your favorite automatic and/or mechanical lockpicking devices for those with less skills, or looking to make their own.

Looking for some advice

Postby Scythinator » 18 May 2013 13:37

I need 10 or so lockpick gun needles for a Lockaid Lock Pick Gun, haven't replaced my needles in like 6 years, anyone can give me a tip what site sells those cheap while maintaining somewhat high quality? Thanks
Scythinator
 
Posts: 12
Joined: 8 Apr 2013 17:41

Re: Looking for some advice

Postby Quickpicknpay » 19 May 2013 7:57

You shouldn't need to replace them if they are old. i have picks that are 20 years old and allthough being quite a bit worn looking they still work very well. If you need replacement needles you should be able to get them from the same place you purchased your pickgun from.
Quickpicknpay
 
Posts: 37
Joined: 3 May 2013 6:25
Location: Sydney, Australia

Re: Looking for some advice

Postby Scythinator » 19 May 2013 14:43

I know, just condition isn't the best and Ive got like 2 left so was looking to get replacements. Unfortunately the store I bought them from was closed 4 years ago.
Scythinator
 
Posts: 12
Joined: 8 Apr 2013 17:41

Re: Looking for some advice

Postby Quickpicknpay » 20 May 2013 2:24

Here's a place you may be able to order some from http://www.lockpicks.com/partsandaccessories.aspx
Quickpicknpay
 
Posts: 37
Joined: 3 May 2013 6:25
Location: Sydney, Australia

Re: Looking for some advice

Postby smokingman » 20 May 2013 10:44

You can make some out of hacksaw blades if you have a grinder and some files or a rotory tool.
I have made many this way.
Also , spring steel bands from a lumber yard will work as long as they are the black ones and not the thin brownish type.
What is the best way to educate the masses? ... " A television in every home."
What is the best way to control the masses? ... " A television in every room."
From "Charlie" AKA " Flowers for Algernon"
User avatar
smokingman
 
Posts: 337
Joined: 15 May 2013 12:09

Re: Looking for some advice

Postby Scythinator » 20 May 2013 18:44

Alright thanks guys!

Since I already started a topic about this, I am kinda intrigued by the following Pick-gun:

The Sparrows Flash Snap Gun

Anyone knows how it would rate against Life Lockaid (the one I am using right now from time to time)
Scythinator
 
Posts: 12
Joined: 8 Apr 2013 17:41

Re: Looking for some advice

Postby Quickpicknpay » 20 May 2013 21:07

I have a Life Lockaid and have had it for more than 20 years. It gets used nearly every day and is still going strong. I have a backup copy pickgun (around $25),I think it is a Majestic brand but it's still in the packet waiting to be opened. Years ago my old boss and some other tradesman friends of mine said don't get anything other than the Lockaid pickgun, they swore by them. An apprentice once somehow broke his one, I'm not sure what part he broke but it was sent back pulled apart and repaired at no charge. One thing that my old boss told me was to wind down the spring tension after every use to avoid unnecessary compression of the spring...I have never taken his advice on this and it is still as good as day one, but something to consider. I usually only wind it up between two and four turns and leave it where it was till the next job. Stick to what you've got. If you want to upgrade, get an electric gun, saves on the hand and is quick but takes a lot of feel out of the picking process. I use electric most of the time nowdays but still pull out the Lockaid on occasions. I handpick if I have the time or for tight keyways and stubburn locks that don't open in a few minutes.
Quickpicknpay
 
Posts: 37
Joined: 3 May 2013 6:25
Location: Sydney, Australia

Re: Looking for some advice

Postby LockDocWa » 20 May 2013 23:33

Lockaid pick guns are guaranteed for life.
If it breaks, send it to them and they fix it for free.
I have had to send a couple of mine in twice in 30 or so years.

I like the feel of the Lockaid and have tried many others.
I had an HPC electric pick 20? years ago and Tossed it in the round file.
LockDocWa
 
Posts: 251
Joined: 21 Sep 2012 9:54
Location: Longview Washington U.S.A

Re: Looking for some advice

Postby Quickpicknpay » 20 May 2013 23:39

I had a HPC Electropick and it worked well for me for a couple of years. I lost the charger and couldnt get another one that worked properly so ended up with a Dinopick and use it daily.
Quickpicknpay
 
Posts: 37
Joined: 3 May 2013 6:25
Location: Sydney, Australia

Re: Looking for some advice

Postby Scythinator » 24 May 2013 14:44

Ive got Klom electric pick, it seems to do alright even though I prefer to manually pick locks as from my experience pick guns do cause wear/damage to the mechanism and i only use electric pick when picking a lock fails after 5-10 minutes. Sometimes it's weird but medium security locks just won't give in, so I spray silicone spray in and put klom pick in, sometimes it works other times it doesn't. Also did any of you guys had success with any type of lockpick gun against Schlage or Medeco, I've tried using snap gun on those 2 failed every time and I tried to slowly turning the wheel till I hit highest possible one, also Electric pick doesn't do the job either, so I had to spend like 8 minutes manually picking it open. And Quickpicknpay what type of locks did you use your Dino on? Dino seems to be pretty expensive, cheapest I could find it on lockpick shops was 149 Pounds, that's almost $350 which is a bit pricey for me , but if it can handle higher security locks I might just get it.
Scythinator
 
Posts: 12
Joined: 8 Apr 2013 17:41

Re: Looking for some advice

Postby Quickpicknpay » 24 May 2013 21:53

I have a brand new Klom that was under $60AUD that I will be comparing shortly so stay tuned folks! My Dino Pickguns cost me about $160AUD but now my supplier is charging $240AUD. I have had great success picking 95% of the pin tumbler locks I come across. The other 5% were then handpicked. I use it daily unlocking between 2 and 10 locks per day. It holds its charge well and spare batteries are available at about $60AUD.
I allways spray lubricate in the lock if it feels or looks dry or corroded or won't open within a minute. This usually works. I also use a "Y" pronged tension wrench if I can fit it in the keyhole and that works well too. Actually now I remember that I did use my Klom to unlock my front door about 4 or 5 times after I first charged it, seemed to work well and hopefully be good for the price. I just need to put it to the full test and give it a good workout for a few weeks.
Quickpicknpay
 
Posts: 37
Joined: 3 May 2013 6:25
Location: Sydney, Australia

Re: Looking for some advice

Postby Quickpicknpay » 25 May 2013 5:19

Actually, I just noticed my Klom electric pickgun does not seem to have any adjustment for the range of motion that the needle travels. My Dinopick has a few settings that can be adjusted by rotating the dial on the front of the pickgun (near where the needle is attached) to adjust/limit the ammount of vibration on the pick/needle. No information came with the Klom that I recently purchased but the only adjustment that I can see is the switch near the trigger that I guess is used to change the direction of the vibration from up to down....please correct me if I am wrong. I still have not had a good play with it but will do so in the next week.
Quickpicknpay
 
Posts: 37
Joined: 3 May 2013 6:25
Location: Sydney, Australia


Return to Lock Pick Guns, EPGs, Snappers

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 9 guests