First pick attempt, which lock?

[02gtstang]

Hello all,

Im new here and have read the FAQ's here. I am attemting to pick what i think is a 5pin tumbler lock. Its a ABUS N55/50 padlock. I have read that these are a little difficult for the first time. I do not own a lock picking set, i have a couple of paper clips and a grinded down allen key for the torsion wrench. I apply a little pressure on the torsion wrench in the direction the key would, then i start with the first pin. I think im doing it right cause i can see the first pin. When i set the first pin (i think its being set) It goes about halfway up then its all lose. I can turn the lock upside down and the pin falls from gravity. There is no longer spring pressure. Is this being done correctly?

The padlocks locks that i have here are:
ABUS N55/50
Master NO3
Master ProSeries 6835
American Lock SFI Series 1105

The ABUS seems like it has the biggest opening to get picks and my wrench in. Any suggestions what i should start with? I also have filing cabinets here and a pop machine in the back. Should i start with one of those? To much time for me here on night shifts.lol. Sorry for the long post.

[sevenply]

I highly suggest you get a cheap cylinder with a removable plug. Kwikset, S. Parker or something else along those lines. Then get or craft a plug follower and remove two sets of pins. Then practice picking the lock with 3 pins. This will make it alot easier to do so you can get an idea of the feel. What type of tension to use and how high to push the pins... Since you aren't using real lockpicks its probably even a better idea you do this.

I started out trying to use the wire from a spiral notebook and grounded done umbrella pieces as picks and tension wrenches. I was trying to pick a masterlock #1 which is an easy lock to pick. I could not pick it for the life of me. I eventually cracked and got some picks and cylinder. I'm making a lot of progress now. Maybe at some point i'll try my old tools and see if they are usable.

[02gtstang]

Wow that was quick, thanks, Where can i get a good set of picks of all asortments? Are there cheap ones to stay away from? Since i got nothing but time right now on night shifts im going to keep trying this ABUS lock with the paper clips.

[WhiteHat]

from what you mentioned in the first post - it sounds like your're doing it correctly - when all pins get like that first one, the lock will open.

keep trying, but you may find yourself getting frustrated while using those paperclips. the master number 3 will probably be a bit easier though.

[02gtstang]

When i am using the torsion wrench and i lift a pin it feels like i can turn the wrench a little more. Is this a sign that the pins are lifting? I lifted the first pin and it got easier to turn then i thought i lifted the second and it got even easier.

[02gtstang]

Right on guys i picked my first lock. An ABUS 5 pin N55/50 padlock. I sprayed it with wd40 then i had made a torque wrench and a pick out of allen keys. that feels good. Im going to try again now as it could have been a fluke.

[skold]

goodwork on the abus, fluke, if you know what your doing it wasn't a fluke

[02gtstang]

I dont know but i picked it like 5 more times since my last post. I have been trying to use paper clips all night but now that i made a pick out of a hard allen key i can actually feel the pins and the pressure. Im going to try a master lock now.

[Cman22]

I would suggest that you pick the masterlock no. 3 at least 50 times then you buy yourself a cheap kwikset. If you master your master no 3 you could probably pop open any #3 in seconds. As for the kwikset go to your local hardware store and ask for a kwikset cylinder. Then pick it or shim it and make it 3 pins. Once you get good at 3 pins move to 4 and then move to 5 and get good at those.

[02gtstang]

Well i picked that lock probably 6 or 7 times that night and now i cant get it once. Basically last time i was raking over and over again and wiggling the pick and moving the tension wrench back and forth. Now im puzzled. Oh well now i want to try even harder cause i know i did it before.

How do you guys pick a master #3 padlock? When i apply pressure on the wrench the pins dont want to stay up. Even when i put lots of pressure on to see if the pins would stay up.

[Jow]

one pin should bind more than the others.... thats the one to start on, then find the next one that binds and so on. also try torque in both directions.