How to find out Pin sizes ?

[azotas]

hello my english is not very good but i will try to explain, im wondering if there is anyway i coud find out if the cylinder has similar pin sizes or it varies ? for example 45456 or 72618 ..it would help me because right now i dont know if i should use raking pick, or try to open lock by different pick. As well there is some locks where its very hard to insert my raking pick does this mean that there is a very long pin ? Im new to lock picking so dont know if its a stupid question. Thanks for you help.

[cheerIO]

It will be easier to rake a lock open if the pin lengths are close together as you said.

The best way to tell this is to pin the lock yourself. These would be called practice locks. If you can find some old cylinders of the same type, you can take them apart and collect all the pins. Then you can pin up one lock with different length pins in any way you want. If you tell us what country you are in we can make suggestions as to the most common lock for beginners.

You can also buy "practice locks" on ebay".

Read some posts here and watch some videos on YouTube to learn how to take apart and reassemble locks. It is not that hard on simple locks. I learned how to by watching the videos of BosnianBill on youtube.

If you really want to learn how to pick locks as a hobby, raking locks will not develop all of your skills. You are going to want to "single pin pick them" meaning; pick each pin individually to open the lock.

I never force a rake into a lock. If it is hard to insert then I move to a different tool. Hope this helps. Welcome to the forum.

[azotas]

ok thanks, as you said i tried to pick every single pick individually and sometimes the cylinder moves a little bit right however then it stops..does this mean that im close on opening the lock ? Here i made the picture http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=2ex1px3&s=8 you can see that cylinder is not straight.

[Squelchtone]

ok thanks, as you said i tried to pick every single pick individually and sometimes the cylinder moves a little bit right however then it stops..does this mean that im close on opening the lock ? Here i made the picture http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=2ex1px3&s=8 you can see that cylinder is not straight.

it looks like it has security spool pins inside, I'd like to think the lock company puts them in to let us know that we're almost there!

Here is a good video for you:



and here is your Yale lock: not sure why he has it mounted upsidedown, what is this, Australia?

[azotas]

thanks for videos, i have another question..does every lock have a binding pin ? for example in lock picking i always should be looking for a binding pin?

[Squelchtone]

thanks for videos, i have another question..does every lock have a binding pin ? for example in lock picking i always should be looking for a binding pin?

there is no "binding pin" in the same way that there are "key pins" or "spool pins" A better way of thinking about is is what is the sequence in which the pins in the lock will bind when you rotate the plug clockwise or counter-clockwise, this will change because the holes in the plug are not perfect and each lock's binding order will be different, but yes, each lock has a binding order, it is not just a special pin the manufacturer installs.

hope that helps a little,
Squelchtone

[azotas]

ok so every time i should be looking for binding order..at the moment i have 2 locks era and yale in era lock the binding order is 3251 i assume that number 4 sets in automatically ? in yale its 13524, number 4 is spool pin.Sadly i dont have more locks, gonna try to pick them in other direction.

[Squelchtone]

ok so every time i should be looking for binding order..at the moment i have 2 locks era and yale in era lock the binding order is 3251 i assume that number 4 sets in automatically ? in yale its 13524, number 4 is spool pin.Sadly i dont have more locks, gonna try to pick them in other direction.

It sounds to me like you understand correctly.

Keep practicing and have fun!
Squelchtone

[azotas]

ok so i tried to pick them in other direction counter clockwise and i couldnt hear the click sound i know that binding order is different now but still its weard as when i try to pick them clockwise the sound is perfect click click ..i read some treads about lube and wonder if it would help ?

[Divinorum]

A small amount of lube cant hurt. If the lock is brand new then it really shouldn't need any lube though. If its old and or weathered then I would definitely use it.

[Squelchtone]

A small amount of lube cant hurt. If the lock is brand new then it really shouldn't need any lube though. If its old and or weathered then I would definitely use it.

We're still talking about locks, right?

[Divinorum]

A small amount of lube cant hurt. If the lock is brand new then it really shouldn't need any lube though. If its old and or weathered then I would definitely use it.

We're still talking about locks, right?

lol okay I admit that did sound rather dirty.