begginer question

[mike100]

My name is mike and i just started reading and being interested in lockpicking as a hobby.I would like to ask if there is a specific lock i should start with and where to buy that from.Also i read a topic regarding a begginer's exercise where you dissasemble a lock and assemble it again only with one pin so you can learn to find the binding pin.I would like to ask how to diassasemble a lock because i have no idea how to do that.


Thanks in advance for your answers

[NinjaLlama]

Hello and welcome to the group!

When I started picking a couple of years ago I bought a couple of cheap master padlocks and an off brand door deadbolt from walmart to practice on. When I had decided that I really enjoyed the hobby I picked up an easily repinnable lock from http://learnlockpicking.com. This has set screws above all of the pin stacks that let you change the pins in a matter of seconds.

If you haven't already you should get a small set of picks from somewhere like http://lockpickshop.com. I bought a larger set when I first started and only used the small hook and half diamond for a very long time, so it wasn't really necessary. Most beginner sets have all you will need for a large number of locks.

And if you are looking for some reading I would recommend "Visual Guide to Lock Picking" by Standard Publications and "Practical Lock Picking" by Deviant Ollam. They both have lots of great pictures and instructions on a wide variety of topics.

[critmass235]

kwikset and master are good beginner locks. most master locks( that i know of) have to be broke to repin. different locks have different disassemblies. you can find how to for most on youtube. once you got the cylinder out, either pick it or use the key to turn it, remove the back clip off it, push out the core with a rod to hold the top pins in, remove pins from the plug , then the corresponding pins in the shell. to put it back to higher pins you have to tweezer the springs and pins bac in the shell then use the rod(plug follower) to hold them in, then use the plug to push it out in a way that doesnt give the pins room to jump out. or take the top crimp off and pull them out that way(alot easier but its easy to break the crimp) theres guides on this site

[Divinorum]

When I started this guide helped a whole lot. It has step by step instructions on how to take apart a lock a re pin it. I encourage you to read the entire thing.

http://locksport.com/files/5012/6964/4049/liguide.pdf

Also Lock Picking Detail Overkill by Mike Solomon is a fantastic resources. Read this and you will be off to a great start.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/cn9r7ezwkq1gvum/nZ4Heu4lr4
Password: evva3ks

[KPick]

As for disassembling a lock, you should try the literature posted above me by Divinorium.

If you're looking for a good lock to start out with, then I would suggest a master lock, or something along those lines of price. They are cheap and they're available everywhere.

If you're going to get a Kwikset, make sure you don't get the Kwikset smartkey. You will know when you have one when you see "Smartkey" on the packaging.

Other than that, you're set to go as long as you have some picks. Good luck and enjoy your picking! One last thing, welcome to www.lockpicking101.com. If you have any questions, let me know, or you can post it anywhere on the site as long as it's in the appropriate category.

-Kpick (Daniel)

[mike100]

allright thanks everyone for your answers. i ordered a pick set from lockpickshop.com.And i will propably order the ultimate practice lock aswell as buying some cheap padlocks.Also i would like to tell you that i live in europe if that makes any difference in the locks available on the market.Thanks again for your help

[KPick]

Oh yeah. That makes quite a difference in locks. I'm residing here in the US so it's going to be a bit more different for you. Since I'm not good with international kinds of locks, I'll just wait until someone with that kind of knowledge of locks jumps in and enlightens you on the subject. Other than that, good choice on your picks.

[mike100]

yeah i was pretty sure that there would be some kind of difference.If someone could clarify on the differences i would be grateful.

[GWiens2001]

Locks are frequently a regional thing. You will almost never see an SFIC lock used outside North America. Lever locks are rarely seen or used in the United States, except on much older padlocks or houses. Disc detainer locks used to be pretty rare outside Scandinavia, but can be found with varying frequency around the world.

In Europe, the euro-profile lock format are very common, but it is quite uncommon over here. Most average people have no idea what they would be used to lock when I show them one.

Also, pin orientation varies. The euro-profile lock is mounted with the pins at the bottom of the keyway, whereas in North America and Australia, the locks are usually mounted with the pins at the top of the keyway.

That also can create some confusion with some people in different areas. 'Top pins' on a euro-profile lock are key pins, while on a deadbolt, 'top pins' are the driver pins (located between the key pins and the springs).

Just so you can understand based on your area, if you see someone refer to a TOK (Top Of Keyway) tension - that is not the top of the keyway in Europe. TOK tension wrenches are put into the keyway in front of the pins.

Good luck!

Gordon

[mike100]

thanks for your answer.Do those differences actually have an effect on the way you pick the locks or not?

[GWiens2001]

The type of lock (pin tumbler, wafer, lever, magnetic, disc detainer, etcetera will have a great deal to how it is picked. Essentially, pin tumblers can be picked with the same 'method'.

Gordon

[mike100]

thanks for your answer.I would also like to ask what are the most common locks in europe?(i know that this sounds like a stupid question since i am the one living in europe but i cant really tell which lock is which by sight i am way new to this.)