First Pick A Success?

[mechanical_nightmare]

For some reason I can't post pictures on this thread:

http://oi44.tinypic.com/2eby900.jpg

This was back in March 2013. I didn't get into picking seriously and reading this site until June though.

[mechanical_nightmare]

Forgot to mention: It took 5 minutes. Now it takes 4-5 seconds :)

[Hawaiihunter]

First pick was helping my neighbor out, took me a few minutes raking :Sadface:.

[austinpicker]

Yes, almost too. I played with paperclips for years and had some success with cheap locks. Finally ordered a Quick Pick rake and picked my front door lock in about 30 seconds. At first I was convinced something was wrong. Turns out it's just super easy to pick.

[terrypen]

I have a 1965 Ford F100 pickup that I can't find the keys for because it is not running and we've moved a couple times. :(

I am ordering a new set of lock cylinders for the truck including the ignition cylinder.

The problem is that I had to pick the lock to turn the keyless cylinder out before replacing it with the new one.

That led me to this site and after watching Schuyler Towne's youtube videos, I created my own pick and Tension wrench. I tried it 2 or 3 times while tweaking my pick, as I had not printed out a template. I had only looked at a few and then went to my toolbox and stripped my two hacksaws, one is a regular size and one is a small size. The 4th time I ventured from my workbench to the pickup, I sat down and within 30 seconds had the cylinder in my hands.

Terry

[Badger40]

It took me two days of trying to open a padlock using hair pins before I bought some proper tools. I then proceeded to be able to open my first few locks in quick succession. It amazed me how little pressure I had to apply and how easily these supposedly high security padlocks opened! I have a couple of smaller locks and a euro cylinder to try over the weekend - addicted!

[serrurier]

Good day,

My first pick took me a while I would say two days since I started making my own tools and became more obsessed about making the tools than learning how to use them.......what can I say such is life.

As I got better it took me less and less time but I guess the issue I have is I keep picking locks that I find here and there so at times they may not be in the best shape but at least it is a good learning.

I once stopped in the middle of the road to pick up a lock that was just sitting there waiting for me I guess. No accident resulted by my sudden stop and I still pick that lock from time to time.

[mat22420]

frist time 2 mins.
now 30 seconds to 2 second if in good working order i love high security stuff :) frist dimple lock 10mins :} lol handpick then 20 mins multi -t

[Syl]

I received my HPC novice set yesterday and bought a new Master No. 3 and a Master 140 this morning at the hardware store. My first actual single-pin pick was accomplished about ten minutes ago on the No 3. I have since been able to rake the 140 open twice and SPP the No. 3 once again!



Feels really good to know I'm on the right track! Also, the picks make it much easier than the crappy bobby pins and paperclips I had been attempting to use.

See those (scratch?) marks horizontal to the keyway on the 140? It came out of the packaging like that. Is that normal?

EDIT: Though I voted in the poll, I forgot to include in this post the time it took to SPP the No. 3. From the time I opened the packaging to the time I set all the pins about 20-25 minutes had passed. I wasn't timing myself, so that's as exact as I can guess.

[Squelchtone]

I received my HPC novice set yesterday and bought a new Master No. 3 and a Master 140 this morning at the hardware store. My first actual single-pin pick was accomplished about ten minutes ago on the No 3. I have since been able to rake the 140 open twice and SPP the No. 3 once again!



Feels really good to know I'm on the right track! Also, the picks make it much easier than the crappy bobby pins and paperclips I had been attempting to use.

See those (scratch?) marks horizontal to the keyway on the 140? It came out of the packaging like that. Is that normal?

EDIT: Though I voted in the poll, I forgot to include in this post the time it took to SPP the No. 3. From the time I opened the packaging to the time I set all the pins about 20-25 minutes had passed. I wasn't timing myself, so that's as exact as I can guess.

Nice job and that's a nice quality photo.. those locks are so spent, they're spooning now.. just whispering sweet nothings into each other's shackle holes.

[Comrade627]

This was my first pick, used BOK and a low hook.

http://www.itstactical.com/store/security/visible-cutaway-practice-lock/

[Jburgett2nd]

First pick was a master #3 with a southord tension wrench and rake took about thirty minutes to get my groove now I can open it in about 2.5 seconds. Think its time I got a new lock.

[Syl]

Nice job and that's a nice quality photo.. those locks are so spent, they're spooning now.. just whispering sweet nothings into each other's shackle holes.

I have since become much better with the padlocks I currently own. I can SPP any of them in less than a minute. So, I have some Schlage cylinders on their way over from Ebay. Also picked up a Brinks 161-30001 and an ABUS 83/50-200 with Kwikset cylinder and Pin Kit.

This morning I stopped by the local locksmith I like to use and asked about old, broken, or key-less locks. But, they told me that they just throw them all away. Next time, I'll show up with donuts and ask if they'll throw them in a box for me instead.

[GWiens2001]

This morning I stopped by the local locksmith I like to use and asked about old, broken, or key-less locks. But, they told me that they just throw them all away. Next time, I'll show up with donuts and ask if they'll throw them in a box for me instead.

Sounds like you have figured out the best way to get the old locks. Donuts can work wonders.

Lots of the shops sell the old locks to scrap metal dealers by the pound. Many keep a 'brass bucket'.

Gordon

[Jh4db536]

Master575 Using a SouthOrd Jackknife C Rake & Sparrow wrench...nothing fancy here
Almost opened just jiggling it. I have a very hard time SPPing this lock, but raking is easy.


Master575 Using a SouthOrd Jackknife Diamond Rake & Sparrow wrench


The first lock I ever picked as a Master Combo lock...it opened as soon as I put a diamond rake into the back keyway with tension.
SPP the ST34 and ST35 can do in like a minute.