Buy a practice deadbolt and bunch of different pins?

[KarlR]

Howdy all,

Just new back here after being away for a few years!(back with a new account).
I have just recently got back into lockpicking and made a basis pick set a few days ago.

Anyways I am dying to get practicing again,but I am at a loss as I have no locks to practice on
I don't have tons of money to spend on locks...
So I had an idea that might work in theory..but I wanted to run it by you guys first.

Couldn't I just buy a cheapish deadbolt from a locksmith,and also see if he would sell me a bunch of assorted normal/security pins,so I could keep changing the difficulty of the lock by increasing the amount of security pins?

Also,providing this would work,do you think any locksmiths would sell me a deadbolt and loose security pins to practice picking?im just wondering because I went into my local locksmith yesterday to find a suitable lock to practice on,And thought the best approach would be to be honest about why I wanted it and ask their advice on a lock to practice on.the reaction I got was the exact one I didn't want,by which I mean they were suddenly very suspicious of me and didn't seem to want to help me out or give me any info..so I imagine if I go back they're gonna give me some excuse that they can't sell me loose pins..

Anyways thanks all in advance for your help!looking forward to hearing your advice!

[GWiens2001]

Go to a thrift store (store that sells used stuff), or if you are in North America, there are businesses that specialize in selling things from demolished or upgraded homes and businesses. Habitat for Humanity has stores called HabiStore in my area, and you can get used, and sometimes new, deadbolts and handlesets for $5-$10. They may or may not have keys.

Gordon

[KarlR]

Thanks for the reply Gordon!

I never thought of that,I will go check out the used store tomorow!unfortunatly,I am living in a small town and only have one used store that's kinda small.hopefully I'll find something!
Thanks again!

[GWiens2001]

No problem. You can also try yard sales. They might not have them out for sale, but if you ask, they might surprise you. Just don't tell the they are for picking practice.

Gordon

[KarlR]

Thanks Gordon,Ill do just that.And as for not mentioning they are for lockpicking,I've learnt my lesson there after mentioning that in my local locksmith.As soon as I said the word "lockpicking" the place went so silent you could hear a pin drop.

eh is that a pun?......

[KarlR]

Well!went out today and visited the thrift store.
It was funny,I was walking around and the guy came up to me and asked if I needed help finding anything,so I said "I don't suppose you have any padlocks or deadbolts?" To which he started laughing and held out a handfull of padlocks ( he had been right in the middle of sorting them!).so I ended up leaving with a padlock,two no brand deadbolts and two of those door knobs with pin tumbler locks,all for $4!

Also went to the locksmith and purchased an american padlock,but I will admit,picking that is wishful thinking for me right now!
Think I will start by removing some of the pins and try work my way up to a full set.

Thanks for the advice Gordon!

[GWiens2001]

Glad it helped you out.

Gordon

[mikus]

Are you sure lockpicking is legal in your state? When i walked into locksmith store and asked guy for a security pins ans said him im practicing lockpicking he refused to sell them, he also told me that its illegal in my country and if he was an butthole he could write down my registry plates and give them to Police. Happily he was a good guy (or i hope he was) and he didnt do that...

[Divinorum]

It's really important to check into the laws were you live. Although it is a harmless hobby, depending on your location it could get you into some trouble. TOOL has a very good list of lock picking laws by state for the U.S. If he lives in a state where they are illegal for a non locksmith to possess, that would explain the reaction he received. It could of also just been an unfriendly locksmith that did not take kindly to picking locks as a hobby (this has been my experience thus far).Also its important to note that your county/town may have their own local ordinances and laws regarding lock picks so I would check into that as well.

http://toool.us/laws.html

The Wikipedia page for lock picking has a section on Polish law. Just go to Wikipedia and search lock picking. I'm not sure how accurate this is, it's just something I managed to find. You may want to dig deeper.

[Squelchtone]

It's really important to check into the laws were you live. Although it is a harmless hobby, depending on your location it could get you into some trouble. TOOOL has a very good list of lock picking laws by state for the U.S. If he lives in a state where they are illegal for a non locksmith to possess, that would explain the reaction he received. It could of also just been an unfriendly locksmith that did not take kindly to picking locks as a hobby (this has been my experience thus far).Also its important to note that your county/town may have their own local ordinances and laws regarding lock picks so I would check into that as well.

http://toool.us/laws.html

The Wikipedia page for lock picking has a section on Polish law. Just go to Wikipedia and search lock picking. I'm not sure how accurate this is, it's just something I managed to find. You may want to dig deeper.

Just in case you missed it, we have a Laws thread here as well... viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2850 there are other related threads as well.

Squelchtone
Former TOOOL Chapter president and Board member

[Divinorum]

Thanks Squelchtone I must have missed that one. Putting that in my favorites, it's very organized and comprehensive. I like to read the wording of the statues because they can always be interpreted in different ways.

[mikus]

It's really important to check into the laws were you live. Although it is a harmless hobby, depending on your location it could get you into some trouble. TOOL has a very good list of lock picking laws by state for the U.S. If he lives in a state where they are illegal for a non locksmith to possess, that would explain the reaction he received. It could of also just been an unfriendly locksmith that did not take kindly to picking locks as a hobby (this has been my experience thus far).Also its important to note that your county/town may have their own local ordinances and laws regarding lock picks so I would check into that as well.

http://toool.us/laws.html

The Wikipedia page for lock picking has a section on Polish law. Just go to Wikipedia and search lock picking. I'm not sure how accurate this is, it's just something I managed to find. You may want to dig deeper.

Yep, thats pretty accurate

[KarlR]

Hey all,

Thanks for the info on laws etc.
I am currently living in British Columbia,Canada.seems the laws regarding lockpicking here are a bit of a grey area,as I've read from the above thread.

To be honest,I don't think the guy was like that because of any laws,think he was just being a suspicious dick.
Which I totally don't blame him for,if I was a professional thief and up to no good in the small town we live in,the first thing I would do is go to the local locksmith/alarm company (who deal with all the security and break ins in the town) and introduce myself,and tell them that I am into lockpicking and ask for advice on the subject.