can't find locks

[thismembername]

called local locks Smith's and visited local used goods stores with no luck. should I just buy some locks online to learn with? I bought the practical lock picking book and got a set of picks.

also what are some popular models of locks to play with?

[fgarci03]

Welcome to the forum!

Could you please let us know where you are located?
I ask this because the answer will depend on your location (types of locks, brands, etc).


A generic answer would be: get some cheap padlocks (not those tiny ones... just the ones with a regular sized key) and cylinders. Just go to the hardware store and get the cheapest models available to get you started!


Good luck, let us know how it goes!

[HerrMannelig]

called local locks Smith's and visited local used goods stores with no luck. should I just buy some locks online to learn with? I bought the practical lock picking book and got a set of picks.

also what are some popular models of locks to play with?

I would recommend you see what locks are in my common use in your area. The most common padlock and door lock manufactures would have items in hardware stores surely.

Buying locks online is a good way to get a variety of locks which one desires if one wants one in particular.

[thismembername]

Welcome to the forum!

Could you please let us know where you are located?
I ask this because the answer will depend on your location (types of locks, brands, etc).


A generic answer would be: get some cheap padlocks (not those tiny ones... just the ones with a regular sized key) and cylinders. Just go to the hardware store and get the cheapest models available to get you started!


Good luck, let us know how it goes!

I'm in Hickory nc usa

[fgarci03]

USA... Humm..

I'm not from there, but I believe the first thing you should get is a kwikset cylinder. They are very common, cheap, and easy to pick. Very good for first locks! Do not get the Kwikset SmartKey, as they are extremely hard to pick. But any other should do fine, just get the cheapest.

I will now let others provide better info than me

[GWiens2001]

Master, Kwikset, Schlage should be easily available in your area. Any hardware store will have them. Even a lot of grocery stores carry a couple Master padlocks.

Good luck!

Gordon

[HerrMannelig]

I'd recommend getting a few Master Lock #1 or #3 padlocks. They are plentiful and good for beginners. Wal-Mart, Target, K-Mart, grocery stores, hardware stores, etc should carry them if they carry any keyed padlocks.

The Master Lock #140 is also very common. It is a brass padlock, but it has a few spool driver pins, and it would be good to get if you see some for learning how to pick spools.

Kwikset pin tumber locks are also common (for residential locks) and good for practice. But you'll probably want something with which to mount them, such as a vise.

USA... Humm..

I'm not from there, but I believe the first thing you should get is a kwikset cylinder. They are very common, cheap, and easy to pick. Very good for first locks! Do not get the Kwikset SmartKey, as they are extremely hard to pick. But any other should do fine, just get the cheapest.

I will now let others provide better info than me

I have a SmartKey cylinder being shipped to me right now. Do you have them over there?

[GWiens2001]

Fgarci03 has one. Probably one of the only ones over there, though. They would be found in NC, but not a good lock to start picking with.

Gordon

[fgarci03]

Actually, I have 2, remember?

HM: you'll have a load of fun with those!

[HerrMannelig]

HM: you'll have a load of fun with those!

I plan on it

But while we are on the subject, getting a Kwikset lock for practice would be easy, but I think the best value would be in getting a cylinder one can repin.

Practice locks can be found here: http://www.lockpickshop.com/lock-cylinders.html

The EZ-ReKey locks are great and I recommend them for practicing. This is on sale:
http://www.lockpickshop.com/EZPL.html

There is a code somewhere on the forum for getting a discount as well.

[HerrMannelig]

also what are some popular models of locks to play with?

Different people have different particular interests, but padlocks and door locks are the most popular types of locks to pick. I focus on padlocks mostly.

For beginning in the USA:

* Master Lock #1 or #3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BouMcCorEzc
* Master Lock #140 series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ThdR-BhlUY

After you can pick those, popular locks with more security (usually, more security pins):

* Commando Locks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWY-AIwLRBs
* American Locks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTyMKcjN7b0
* Abus locks (not this particular model): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKeJosyR22U

For doors, I recommend going after the Schlage and Kwikset locks. The link I gave earlier has links to practice locks, but unless there is something special about the lock there you want, I'd recommend going to eBay and finding a cheap cylinder. The EZ-ReKey locks are worth the money, as they can be pins anyway you like. You can usually find lots of used locks being sold for cheap.

[KPick]

I would start on masterlocks, and cheapo doorknobs solely because you first need to gain the feel for the pins and the pinstacks inside the lock. You should be able to find them at a hardware stores at really cheap prices. Or you can get them without much cost on ebay. Good luck.

[fgarci03]

Now that you mentioned practice locks, this is a good read:
http://www.lockpicking101.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=57002&hilit=mrwizard+practice+lock#p415080
and
http://www.lockpicking101.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=57733&p=421415&hilit=mrwizard+practice+lock#p421347

[skeleton_keys]

I'm in the US too...just head to Walmart and get the cheap store brand knobs and deadbolts. (Not as cheap as they used to be, but still in the several-dollar range.) If you buy one deadbolt/knob and acquaint yourself with repinning, you can switch around the pins to a limited degree when you get too comfortable with one configuration.

Or find the section at Home Depot that carries small door hardware parts (things for patio doors, etc), they've got small mailbox and window locks for a few bucks. Usually on the same aisle as hinges and nails/screws.

[Onz]

I always stop at yard sales now (Thanks to Gordons post) to pick up some old locks, Usally you'll have to ask and they might have some. I picked up 12 locks for 10$ AUD yesterday which I recon is fantastic.

Good luck picking.