Locksmith (gave me) locks

[Squelchtone]

Not really sure of this is where I should post this but here goes. I took the advice of posters here and contacted my local locksmith to find out if he had any old locks laying around. And sure enough he did. He put together 15-20 locks for me to include a Medico. While I appreciate the Medico I suspect it will be awhile til I am ready for it. I did get the locksmith a gift card for pizza to say thanks. Also, I want to say thanks to all the posters here for the help you give each of us. Jon

[GWiens2001]

Getting the locksmith a gift card was a nice touch. It lets them know that you appreciate their help.

Gordon

[Wizer]

Thats cool!
Great that you found a friendly lockie.
The lock you mentioned is "Medeco" tho. , MEchanical DEvelopment COmpany.
Happy picking!

[docjon]

Thanks for the heads up on the Medeco spelling. Guess I didn't look at it very close. Just knew it was going to be way above me at the moment. anyway, thanks, Jon

[MBI]

Thanks for the heads up on the Medeco spelling. Guess I didn't look at it very close. Just knew it was going to be way above me at the moment. anyway, thanks, Jon

While Medeco locks are obviously a lot more difficult than regular pin tumbler locks, I think they're one of the more fun locks to pick. It's an achievable goal that gives you a nice challenge along the way.

Once you feel you have a good grasp on picking regular locks, try dumping all but one of the pin stacks in the Medeco and just pick it with one pin stack. Learn how to rotate the pin with a hook, by placing it on the right part of the tip of the pin as you lift. Or by teasing the tip of it back and forth with the pick tip. Learn how it feels once the rotation is correctly set and the different feel when it's in the false groove. Once you can do that, and visualize what the pin is doing and what state it is in by feel, you can start moving up and adding pick stacks. It's VERY satisfying when you finally get it picked, fully pinned. You just have to genuinely BELIEVE you can do it.

[docjon]

Very much appreciate the advice. Was wondering how I was going to approach the lock. Now I gave a game plan. Thanks, Jon

[KPick]

Good. I tried looking for a locksmith here in town to grant me locks but most here in my city are a bit rash and hang up.

[docjon]

Man, that's rude!!

[GWiens2001]

Good. I tried looking for a locksmith here in town to grant me locks but most here in my city are a bit rash and hang up.

Don't call them! Stop by in person. It can make all the difference.

Gordon.

[spoonzor]

I'm not sure what line of work you are in, but let's imagine you run an IT shop and people start calling you asking if you can give them some older model laptops for free... (?!)

Go there in person and ask them if you can BUY old / second hand locks from them, with or without key, even broken locks etc. They probably ask "why?" and there you start building a nice friendship with those shop owners.

Once you offer to pay (a little bit) for their scrap metal they are much more willing to give it for free, or maybe just ask like 1 USD a lock or so... If they give you locks for free, come in the next day with a bottle of booze or pizza or whatever.

If people start calling me to ask for free stuff that I never offered them i'll be annoyed too.