Super Max Security 7-pin Practice Lock

[MrWizard]

Glad your picks finally arrived they look nice. The more pins you add the harder it gets. If you are having your pick get stuck between the pins and tension wrench you might be using that large hook pick it is a little too much of a hook for most locks. Also try using the wrench in the top of the keyway it leaves the keyway open for your pick that way. It is the best way to practice as top of keyway tension rules! Glad you are having fun keep us posted on how you do.

Richard

[Murderbydeath]

I am strongly considering purchasing one of these practice locks. Over the time all of you have had yours, is there any reason not to?

[phrygianradar]

I am strongly considering purchasing one of these practice locks. Over the time all of you have had yours, is there any reason not to?

I would encourage you to get one if you are in the market for a practice lock. I still love mine and use it all the time. In fact, I forgot to mention that I got an upgrade package sent to me from MrWizard (the maker of the practice lock) that included longer security pins for use with shorter bottom pins. For free! It was awesome to get in the mail and made the whole setup that much better. My wife was asking what I had bought now, and I said "nothing, I'm not sure what this is". To my happy surprise, Richard had sent me the upgrade (that I believe comes as part of the package at purchase now) for free, because he is just that type of guy.

Not only is it one of the most common keyways to come accross in the "real world", but the customer service is excellent. It is cool to have something from one of the guys here on LP101 who can offer support and all. Usually you just buy something and then the seller is done with you and moves on to the next sale; I have had many emails back and forth from MrWizard, so I know he is interested in how I like his product.

Thanks again Richard!

[MrWizard]

Thanks for the kind words again. I really do appreciate hearing when someone is happy with this lock it makes it all worth doing. Lots of times people get buyers remorse I am very pleased this has not happened with this effort.

And yes the Improved Practice Lock package does come with the new sizes of security pins.

I am upgrading this package to include 2 sizes of security top pins. Before it had 7 each of one size spool and one size serrated top pins.

The improved package will now include 8 spool and 8 serrated.
The new package will have 4 x .200 and 4x .170 spool pins and 4x .200 and 4x.172 serrated pins.

This is being done so you can use the long .200 length for short bottom pins for cuts 0 thru 5 and the .172 for the longer bottom pins cuts 6 thru 9. Also you will want to use the shorter length when adding master pins. This keeps from compressing the springs too much. It has always included long and short standard top pins and long and short springs for this reason but I am now able to include long and short security pins at no added cost.

I felt this to be a needed upgrade to make this package the best it can be.
If I can think of any other ways to improve it to be more useful I will certainly do it.

Thanks
Richard

[phrygianradar]

Here is a little update on me and my practice lock. Today my father-in-law brought me a padlock he got at a swap meet that had no keys and was locked:



Fortunately it had a very familiar keyway that I have gotten good at picking!



So I was able to pick it open in pretty short order, although it did have a bit of corrosion and crud built up in it. The cool thing is that, not only was I able to pick the lock, but I also had a few extra pins, springs, and drivers, so that I could re-pin it to an already cut Schlage key (also from MrWizard)!



All the practice I got with this keyway and re-pinning locks from my practice lock paid off in a really cool way today. Here are the fruits of practicing, both picking and re-pinning my Super Max Security Practice Lock from MrWizard!

As a side note, if anyone of you experienced folks who read this can tell just by looking, what year do you think this lock was made? I can't tell, but it looks like it may be at least a little old. I thought maybe from the '70s, but I may be way off. Maybe one of you out there will be able to tell me, just out of curiosity.

[jeffmoss26]

Nice job! I have a similar Schlage padlock and I would date that logo as 60s or 70s.

[phrygianradar]

Nice job! I have a similar Schlage padlock and I would date that logo as 60s or 70s.

Thank you for the kind words! Also, your estimate on the age has been the consensus with all the people I have shown the lock to, many of whom lived through those years themselves. I am a bit younger than that, but my guess was late 60's or 70's era. My grandfather was an antique dealer, so I grew up among old things and have a pretty good eye, but I wouldn't say something's "for sure" unless I was sure about it.

[Stealth Entry]

Just wanted to say thanks to Richard for the Super Max Security 7-pin Practice Lock. I received it yesterday as promised with all the accessories listed!!! The lock is high quality and a challenge for me with only 3 pins in use. Yes, I'm one of those that learned the bad habits first ("picking locks" by raking and scrubbing with plenty of luck). LOL

For those that are looking for something that is practical and the best bang for your buck... please take a serious look at this practice lock. It will save you time, money, and space by having one practice lock that replaces the dozens you accumulate as you learn the lock picking skill.

Richard, thanks again for your patience and wealth of knowledge. It was a pleasure to meet you. I'm sure I'll be hitting you up with tons of questions in the near future!

SE

[MrWizard]

Phrygianradar

Nice job on the Schlage padlock some of those old ones can be a real challenge to get open especially if it is dirty and locked on something upside down. I agree I also think it is from late 60's or 70's. Good to hear you got lots of practice and now Schlage keyway has become comfortable for you to pick. If you get short of pins for your practice lock kit from using them as you did on this padlock you can get some replacements one as you need them from me if you need to.


Stealth Entry

Thank you for the nice review of your new practice lock experience. I always like to hear how people do with it and how they feel about it. The more you practice on a Schlage keyway you will find a more open less restricted keyway to be easier to defeat. I am always available for any questions you may have about it or anything else I can help you with don't hesitate to ask. Have fun with it.

Richard

[strychix]

It arrived! Happy customer here!

If anyone is thinking about purchasing a practice lock, look no further. From the customer service (and on-going support), prompt delivery, packaging and quality, you can't go wrong!

Congratulating Mr. Wizard on a fine product!

[strychix]

Here is a quick snap. If anyone is in need of a practice lock stand, this cost me $15. Works a treat!



Thanks once again, Mr. Wizard.

[Deejay]

I just wanted to post here about the lock I received from mr.wizzard today. The lock pretty much shipped the day I inquired about it! Wow 2 days later I had it in my hands. Great support from him. Thanks!

I am fairly new to the lock pick game and was having a hell of a time finding something not to expensive but good quality that would last and grow with my skill. Ebay just confused the hell out of me. I believe this is the perfect lock for me to learn with.


The lock I received had some heft to it and is perfectly milled on top for easy pin replacement.
The package I received had a few little bags with driver pins in one springs in another and the security pins in a different package. Very nice to have all these different pins to mess around with and love how he grouped them together makes it a lot easier for me.

I have not had too much time with the lock but I can honestly say it will keep me busy for quite some time as 4 pins is a challenge for me. On a side note my 5 year old enjoyed picking it with one pin in it. Lol

I will follow up when I get more time in with it but just wanted to post how pleased I am with this lock and the extreme helpfulness of MR.Wizzard, especially for someone like me who is green and just getting into this awesome hobby.


Huge Thanks Mr.Wizzard.

[phrygianradar]

I am supremely happy to see that this thread is still going and that others have found the awesome treasure that is the "Super Max Security 7-pin Practice Lock"! I still love to pick mine from time to time or to try out some different master key ideas. This is by far the best practice lock that I have seen out there. To be honest you could get one of those see-through plexiglass locks and then every time you get stuck just look at what is hanging up and pick the lock like that , sorry I am laughing because this is just so much, much better than that. I almost bought one of those when I was first shopping around for a practice lock. Some people may need to start with a see-through lock to begin with and there is nothing wrong with that, so no offense intended; this is for seriously building up your lock picking skills systematically and successfully (provided you invest the needed time), and will grow with your ability level.

When I learned how to type in high school typing class, the teacher would come around with a piece of cardboard to hold over your hands if you couldn't stop looking down. I am a really good typer because of that (thank you Mr. Anderson wherever you are!). Eventually if you want to become a real lock picker you have to stop looking at what you are doing and let you tools be your eyes. This is a great package at a reasonable price with friendly help if/when needed provided by the maker himself; who has never been too busy to help me out. Can't go wrong with this purchase guys and gals!

[GWiens2001]

On a side note my 5 year old enjoyed picking it with one pin in it. Lol

Uh-oh. Another one hooked! . For one of these for my son (9 years old now) a while back, and he practices with it often. This year, his primary Christmas present was wrapped in a large wooden box closed with two deadbolts (one Defiant, one six pin genuine Schlage). Taped to the box between the deadbolts were a short hook and a tension wrench. Took him 10 minutes to get the box open. Used no security pins (he can handle two spools) because did not want the rest of the family getting bored watching him pick the locks. You can bet they were surprised when he got both of the locks open.

Gordon

[JDE]

I also grabbed one from MrWizard

I have never even attempted to pick a lock before giving this a go, After a few hours I'm up to attempting to crack 4 pins.
Very happy and i'm sure i'll spend many many hours improving my skills on this lock

Big thanks for sending the lock all the way to New Zealand too!