First Pick A Success?

by **Alucard_00** » 16 Sep 2004 0:34

My first (and only) pick took me approx. 3 straight hours. However, this could have something to do with the fact that all I was using was a broken bobby pin, a paper clip, and an allen wrench for leverage.

I still don't have any real tools:oops:

by **good_guy** » 17 Sep 2004 17:23

My first lock pick success was with a Weslock 6 pin deadbolt. I used a homemade small half-diamond that I made just to see if I could do it. I did a little raking and it opened. It took about 30 seconds.

by **Alucard_00** » 18 Sep 2004 19:52

my first ("legitimate") pick took me about 15 mins. the pins were probably set after 10 mins, but it took me another five to realize that I didn't put enough torque into it :roll:

by **Timsatx** » 27 Sep 2004 7:19

I have an interesting situation and wonder if others have gone thru it too. Initially when I first started with a homemade pick and tension wrench, I was able to open a Masterlock #3 in pretty short order. Not consistently mind you, but it usually varied between a few seconds to a few minutes.

The problem I have now is that I am worse that in the beginning. I'll work on this same lock for over an hour an never get it open. Over the last few days I have opened it once. It seems like I have been going backwards instead of forwards.

Any ideas on this problem? Anyone lese go thru the 1-step forward, 2-steps back routine?

Tim

by **good_guy** » 27 Sep 2004 19:17

i sure havent. well i did get into a stop but not a reverse. that was fixed when i got my southord picks and started practicing again. try check your picks, maybe they are some how distorted.

by **WhiteHat** » 27 Sep 2004 20:07

Timsatx wrote:I have an interesting situation and wonder if others have gone thru it too. Initially when I first started with a homemade pick and tension wrench, I was able to open a Masterlock #3 in pretty short order. Not consistently mind you, but it usually varied between a few seconds to a few minutes.

The problem I have now is that I am worse that in the beginning. I'll work on this same lock for over an hour an never get it open. Over the last few days I have opened it once. It seems like I have been going backwards instead of forwards.

Any ideas on this problem? Anyone lese go thru the 1-step forward, 2-steps back routine?

Tim

I have found the same problem previously. usually it's because of one of two
mental reasons or one physical one:

1. because I'm wanting the lock to open too much.
I'm applying too much pressure on the wrench because I _really_ want it to open.
*cummon you stupid lock open !*

2. because I'm cocky and think that because I opened the lock last time in
5 seconds therefore I don't need to concentrate.... and as a result...
I'm sloppy and it doesn't even count as practice - just a waste of time

3. (this one's only happened on one of my locks) I've opened the lock too many
times and it's become so sloppy because of metal shavings or rounded pins or
worn out springs or whatever that I can't feel a thing - given up on that lock.

to overcome number 1: stop caring about whether it opens or not. focus
on picking - not on opening. - if there's any zen-like/martial art-like
side to picking, then it's the focused, controlled, unemotional
concentration on manipulating actual pins.

to overcome number 2: swallow your pride and treat each picking attempt
as if it's a brand new lock and a brand new learning experience.

to overcome number 3: that lock has been totally 0wn3d... get a new one..

or you can just forget all that mind-state garbage and just practice more..

by **Jerbz** » 30 Sep 2004 12:22

My first object that i picked was a padlock. It was a no brander, i was using bobby pins and was watching TV. It took me quite a while, probably about 30 minutes and i was able to pick it. The padlock had about 5 pins in it i think, and the time it took getting use to the pins was what took me the longest. I have lost my picks so having picked that lock was the only.

( well, i picked another padlock, but that one was too easy. Like i put in
the feeler and tension wrench, gave it one swipe and it clicked. This is with bobby pins :roll:

So i dont really cout that)

Well since ive lost them , ive been really just reading about making your own set, and soon i will buy the materials i need. Im limited to a bench grinder and a file, but this should do me till i get more...advanced

Jerbz

by **BOBO** » 30 Sep 2004 15:30

Believe it or not, my first pick was almost thirty years ago. I remember seeing an episode of the "Rockford Files", where Jim pulled out a pick-set to open a door. That's all it took - I went to sheet metal shop - sheared off some pieces of thin galvanized - and belt sanded some crude picks. Funny thing though, I never knew about tension tools till I came here!!!

My first pick was actually the wafer lock on my backyard shed (about two minutes with just the one pick). :lol:

~Bob

by **forrest** » 5 Oct 2004 13:31

Well the first step was ok, I read your helpful forum on which tools were good to start with and a small slimline set.

But then....

How's this for backwards? I started with a Abus Discus, cause I had it around. Well with absolutely no instruction, I give in after about 30 minutes. Then mistake number two I head to my back door which has a really sticky deadbolt... 30 minutes...Not happening.

Finally, I get it.
I go to the grocery store for a keyed padlock (cheap) and head to my file cabinets in my office at work... :shock:

OMG these things shouldn't be able to be called locks! They take about 40 seconds to pick. 4 pins in the grocery store lock and only two on my file cabinet. You can rake them open with a hook or diamond even quicker but I try not to since it's nice to practice for "feel" and I want to start back on my door locks.

This is a very cool hobby.

by **pickle_64** » 9 Oct 2004 22:32

The first time i ever picked a lock, i got really excited and motivated to try other locks. the first time, it took me around 30 secs and now, i can"t get it under 8 secs. Does everyone have this problem with new locks?

Is the only solution to practice more?

by **Steaksandwich21** » 29 Oct 2004 16:31

using homemade picks i still havent opened any. ( me)
even a crappy 2 pin lock on a cabinet. do you think im trying to hard, or im just rubbish.
not gonna quit though. waiting for a proper set, then should do the job. i'll keep you posted

by **Jake Budin** » 31 Oct 2004 21:59

The-Sand-Box wrote:yah. So how well did everyones first lock pick go? easy - hard, still can't get it open : D How long did it take you.

I tried it on my friend's lock, 1 pin, no spools, he told me what to do and i poped it in like, 3 seconds

by **Cman22** » 31 Oct 2004 22:01

That was actually my lock and i think i had it on 2 or three pins. He didn't do bad for a noob tension wise ore pick pressure wise.

by **Sabin37** » 1 Nov 2004 0:26

The first lock I picked was a Master lock #1. It took me about 2 minutes, and now it takes me about 3 seconds each time.

by **Jake Budin** » 1 Nov 2004 18:43

Sabin37 wrote:The first lock I picked was a Master lock #1. It took me about 2 minutes, and now it takes me about 3 seconds each time.

...I'm kinda new to picking, how were I to pick a master lock...? I thought you had to have some sort of combanation to open them :lol:

First Pick A Success?

First Lock I Picked Took Me.... (pick which best suits)

Starting the wrong way...

Re: First Pick A Suscess?

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