Beginner With Lockpicks: Last 2 pins never go up

[CardboardBox55]

Hi, I am new to the forum!

I just had a question regarding pins,
I used to pick locks and I recently started trying to do it again, but I am pretty much re-learning everything. I have a lockpick set with some decent picks. I bought a Master Level 4 lock (It has a black vinyl cover) to practice on, and I can always get up pins 1 and 2, but pins 3 and 4 never seem to stick. If I start at the back and push up one of the back pins, then I have to release tension to get the front pin up, and the release of tension make pin 1 drop. However, if I start at the front and push up pin 1 first, then pins 3 and 4 are like jelly and just bounce up and down but never stick. Does anyone have any idea what I am doing wrong? I thought I bought a fairly simple lock to begin practicing again. I have also tried raking with this lock but it never worked after 5 minutes with moderate tension. Any help would be appreciated, thanks!

PS: I am excited to be part of the community!

[fisix]

Hi, I am new to the forum!

I just had a question regarding pins,
I used to pick locks and I recently started trying to do it again, but I am pretty much re-learning everything. I have a lockpick set with some decent picks. I bought a Master Level 4 lock (It has a black vinyl cover) to practice on, and I can always get up pins 1 and 2, but pins 3 and 4 never seem to stick. If I start at the back and push up one of the back pins, then I have to release tension to get the front pin up, and the release of tension make pin 1 drop. However, if I start at the front and push up pin 1 first, then pins 3 and 4 are like jelly and just bounce up and down but never stick. Does anyone have any idea what I am doing wrong? I thought I bought a fairly simple lock to begin practicing again. I have also tried raking with this lock but it never worked after 5 minutes with moderate tension. Any help would be appreciated, thanks!

PS: I am excited to be part of the community!

It sounds like you may be oversetting a pin.

[CardboardBox55]

That is what I have started to think, so I try picking it more carefully, but even when the first and second pins are just barely up the third and fourth pins still never set, they just bounce up and down freely. The only way I have been able to set the two back pins is by pushing up the 3rd or 4th pin first and then applying tension. Other than that, I can never get them to catch. Any other ideas? I'd love to pick this lock.

[fisix]

That is what I have started to think, so I try picking it more carefully, but even when the first and second pins are just barely up the third and fourth pins still never set, they just bounce up and down freely. The only way I have been able to set the two back pins is by pushing up the 3rd or 4th pin first and then applying tension. Other than that, I can never get them to catch. Any other ideas? I'd love to pick this lock.

You could try setting the back pins first then, or use heavier tension if they are still moving freely. It is easier to pick pins in the order that they are binding the most in. Perhaps you're misinterpreting which pins are actually set? You can try a smaller pick for more precise feedback.

I had a Master lock with only a few pins that I just could not pick. It may have needed more tension to really set pins...

[foxyfox]

Have you tried lubing the pins? I also find Masterlocks respond well to more forceful picking, as in more force on the tension wrench and in setting the pins.