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Picks can't fit?

Having read the FAQ's you are still unfulfilled and seek more enlightenment, so post your general lock picking questions here.
Forum rules
Do not post safe related questions in this sub forum! Post them in This Old Safe

The sub forum you are currently in is for asking Beginner Hobby Lock Picking questions only.

Picks can't fit?

Postby infrasonic » 15 Apr 2014 5:17

Could it be that the lock I have at home have a small keyhole, or my picks are too big? Or it's just the problem of my skill?

Here's the lock that I have..
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With a tension wrench
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Comparing the size of my pick with the keyhole, way too big..
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Here's the set that I've bought recently.
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And the picture of the set shown by seller
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Totally different from the one that I have, but it's only $12.65 for the whole set, I really have nothing to complain about it.
But the problem is it wouldn't fit to the lock I have at home. That's just the door lock of my home, still didn't have time to buy a training lock yet.
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Re: Picks can't fit?

Postby smokingman » 15 Apr 2014 7:44

Never pick locks in use that you depend on for your security.
That said,your picks seem to be a little too wide and too tall for that keyway.
Thinner and smaller overall , should fit in and give you a shot at a
diagonal approach to the pins as opposed to perpendicular.
I would say that some euro style picks might do the job.
Southord euros are thin, cheap and durable. :)
What is the best way to educate the masses? ... " A television in every home."
What is the best way to control the masses? ... " A television in every room."
From "Charlie" AKA " Flowers for Algernon"
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Re: Picks can't fit?

Postby infrasonic » 15 Apr 2014 8:02

smokingman wrote:Never pick locks in use that you depend on for your security.
That said,your picks seem to be a little too wide and too tall for that keyway.
Thinner and smaller overall , should fit in and give you a shot at a
diagonal approach to the pins as opposed to perpendicular.
I would say that some euro style picks might do the job.
Southord euros are thin, cheap and durable. :)

My pick looks so big that it would never fit even for other keyway..
If I filed down one of the hooks to a shorter, smaller and thinner version, do you think it would work?
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Re: Picks can't fit?

Postby smokingman » 15 Apr 2014 8:18

You could try,Worth a shot though I guess :) .
Last edited by smokingman on 15 Apr 2014 8:37, edited 1 time in total.
What is the best way to educate the masses? ... " A television in every home."
What is the best way to control the masses? ... " A television in every room."
From "Charlie" AKA " Flowers for Algernon"
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Re: Picks can't fit?

Postby JoshuaWest » 15 Apr 2014 8:32

infrasonic wrote:If I filed down one of the hooks to a shorter, smaller and thinner version, do you think it would work?

This makes sense to me. A pick that doesn't fit in most locks is about as useful as a pick that you filed too far and break. But a filed and functional pick actually has value.
:)


JW
Image
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Re: Picks can't fit?

Postby Paleo123 » 15 Apr 2014 9:10

Those are huge! You shouldn't be picking locks in use for practice...with that said, because of the proportions of your picks I think you should try using tok tension with those picks and open up a bit of room to work in the keyway. Also seeing as that particular keyway isn't overly restricted and you already have trouble my second suggestion would be to either make or buy better picks
AC
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Re: Picks can't fit?

Postby Squelchtone » 15 Apr 2014 10:43

I really dislike those Asian tension wrenches that are round in the middle. find some Southord templates and look for the short hook, then file your hook down to the same dimensions.
Image
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Re: Picks can't fit?

Postby infrasonic » 17 Apr 2014 5:26

So, I've filed one of the hooks to make it shorter and also thinner, the filed version is on the right.
Managed to fit through the keyhole but still not luck on opening it, I did managed to set a few pins tho, after around 10 minutes of messing around, I released the tension and would hear the sound of pins popping back.
Will find some time to get a training lock as well as some sandpaper to sand the picks..

Image Image
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Re: Picks can't fit?

Postby smokingman » 17 Apr 2014 5:59

Good job. Tweaking your tools ( especially sanding ) can make all the difference. :D
What is the best way to educate the masses? ... " A television in every home."
What is the best way to control the masses? ... " A television in every room."
From "Charlie" AKA " Flowers for Algernon"
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Re: Picks can't fit?

Postby JoshuaWest » 17 Apr 2014 8:53

smokingman wrote:Good job. Tweaking your tools ( especially sanding ) can make all the difference. :D

Get some higher grit paper from an auto store too and you can sand to a pretty awesome mirror finish. :)
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