Picking on a Budget

by **radius** » 13 Oct 2004 22:10

I've been browsing this forum for a little while now, I've skimmed the MIT guide, read a fwe other sources online, and browsed lockpickshop and lockpicks.com.
I'd like to assemble a pick/wrench set on a budget (Under/around $20 + S&H, to see if I enjoy it). I think eventually I'd make my own, but I'd like to actually buy a first set.
I'm thinking of just buying a few picks and wrenches individually. Should I? Which ones should I buy?
Alternatively, I'm thinking of buying a kit of five pieces from Southord with a book (I think it's called "Easy Pickings;" I think the kit's the PXS-05 or something like that) and maybe a couple other picks or wrenches. Any thoughts?
This is a first set. I don't want to spend a lot now. Maybe if I get into it...

by **logosys** » 13 Oct 2004 22:14

I would advise getting a small set - SouthOrd, for example - that fits your budget. If you can't find a set like that, you could always get some hacksaw blades from Home Depot and download PYRO's video on how to make your own picks....

by **logosys** » 13 Oct 2004 22:15

And also, DO NOT GET 'EASY PICKINGS.' It is honestly a perfectly good waste of trees and money... This site can pretty well be your one-stop-shop for picking questions...

by **Romstar** » 13 Oct 2004 22:19

Skip the book completely.

Go to the SouthOrd outlet:

http://www.southord.com/catalog.asp?cat=Outlet

Look for
Part Number - MPXS-08-O
Price - $18.95

This is an excellent 8 piece beginners set at a discount price. Your total cost, should be less than $25.00 including S&H.

Romstar

by **radius** » 14 Oct 2004 8:12

That looks good. Can I get it from lockpicks.com or lockpickshop.com? Southord won't ship directly to Canada.
Otherwise, can I assemble a set myself?

by **Romstar** » 14 Oct 2004 10:15

radius wrote:That looks good. Can I get it from lockpicks.com or lockpickshop.com? Southord won't ship directly to Canada.
Otherwise, can I assemble a set myself?

What do you mean SouthOrd won't ship direct to Canada?

They're shipped direct before. What province are you in?

Romstar

by **radius** » 14 Oct 2004 17:39

They say fairly explicitly on their web site that due to what they term "outrageous Customs duties" they no longer ship to Canada.

So should I assemble my own set from the picks on lockpickshop.com?

by **Romstar** » 14 Oct 2004 17:43

Send them an e-mail and ask about ordering picks.

You'll be a bit surprised.

Romstar

by **radius** » 14 Oct 2004 17:51

OK, I will. If I were going to assemble a set from picks and wrenches at lockpickshop.com, which ones would I purchase?

by **Romstar** » 15 Oct 2004 1:12

You will find that buying picks seperately is actually a bit expensive, but if you have to go that route, this is the set I would build:

MP-03 Large Diamond
MP-04 Small Diamond
MP-07 Short Hook
MP-09 C-Rake
MP-12 S-Rake

TW-18 Double ended tension wrench
TW-02 Short twist flex wrench
TW-03 Long twist flex wrench

Pick any case you like, or make one of your own.

If you want to go with a set of picks these are my choices.

The PSX-14 set for $24.95. Another excellent value is he MPXS-20 for $37.95, and if you want slim line picks the C-801 for $29.95.

Even using the LP101 coupon code which gets you 10% off, these sets are still a bit above your stated limit. Although, I do feel that each set is well worth the investment.

Spend the time to seriously look over the site, and you will probably make a good decision. No matter if you get a small 5 piece set, or buy 5 seperate picks, or go for the huge set the choice is best left up to you after you have read some about how picking works.

Have fun,
Romstar

by **radius** » 15 Oct 2004 16:34

I think I'm going to purchase the non-reinforced ones; I can reinforce them myself and use them non-reinforced as templates if and when I make my own.
How does that sound?

by **Romstar** » 15 Oct 2004 21:25

I dislike the word reinforced. They are handled, or non handled in my opinion. But that's just me.

Really, it will boil down to what your hands like the most.

I do recomend the handled ones more often, but I also frequently use non handled picks as well.

Did you get an answer from SouthOrd about sending picks to Canada?

Romstar

by **radius** » 17 Oct 2004 22:05

I think I'm going to go with the individual ones.

Here's what I'm planning on:

SP-06 Large Diamond
SP-07 Small Diamond
SP-09 Short Hook
SP-10 C-Rake
SP-11 S-Rake
SP-12 L-Rake

TW-18 Double ended wrench
TW-02 Short Twist Flex
TW-03 Long-Twist Flex

For a total of $17.55. With an LP101 10% discount that comes to just under $20 CDN which should avoid brokerage fees as well (I hope).
Any thoughts?

by **radius** » 18 Oct 2004 14:08

Would the above be a good starter set or is there anything I should switch or not bother with?

by **funboy79015** » 18 Oct 2004 16:56

What about the double-ended picks (SP-02 and SP-03)? I have no idea how good they are but it seems like a good deal to me (essentially 2 picks for the price of one). If I were looking to buy on a budget that is what I would buy. Other than that the picks you're looking seem fine to me.

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