Question about masterlock 140 and Southord PXS-05L newb set

[Ske13tonKey]

Hi guys im a as new as it gets to lock picking. I got myself a Southord PXS-05L , a couple dollar store padlocks and master lock 140 to practice with. And i feel like using bottom of the key way tension makes me overset the first pins, the biting on a key is low on a first pins (using hook and tension wrench from PXS-05L set). My question is: Is 140s key way is to small for that tension wrench and hook, and should i use top of the keyway tension with the same wrench (witch is really uncomfortable)? What tools do you guys usually use to single pick 140?

[Comrade627]

Welcome to picking.

First off, a lot of pickers will always recommend top of keyway tension, the same goes for bottom. From a science standpoint, it's easier to spin something from the center, or else it wobbles which causes excess rubbing between the plug and the rest of the lock. Also, BOK is notorious for getting snagged on something, top is more free and clear, and provides more keyway space for you to manage your pick.

I've got a stack of 140's about 12 deep, all of which I can do in about 20 seconds or less. I'm no pro, but I've got 140's figured out. I just use a DIY tensioner at the top of the keyway, and a low hook or single peak bogota style to SPP it. There are spool pins in the 140. Some 140's will give you that spool feedback, some won't. I'll leave it to you to figure that part out, as that's half the puzzle!

[UnlockingBoredom]

Welcome from another newbie, I have been having fun picking for the last month and have worked up to a 5 pin American 1105. It has all Serrated key pins, the driver pins are either Serrated or Serrated Spool pins. It got too easy to pick so today I added a 6th pin to it and have not been able to pick it yet... I get it to a false set and when I find the spool that is causing it and set it, it drops other pins so i start over.


Just have fun and pick as much as you have time for and dont get frustrated if you cant pick the lock right away... Each time you fail is just a step closer to the time you succeed.


UnlockingBoredom

[Ske13tonKey]

Welcome to picking.

First off, a lot of pickers will always recommend top of keyway tension, the same goes for bottom. From a science standpoint, it's easier to spin something from the center, or else it wobbles which causes excess rubbing between the plug and the rest of the lock. Also, BOK is notorious for getting snagged on something, top is more free and clear, and provides more keyway space for you to manage your pick.

I've got a stack of 140's about 12 deep, all of which I can do in about 20 seconds or less. I'm no pro, but I've got 140's figured out. I just use a DIY tensioner at the top of the keyway, and a low hook or single peak bogota style to SPP it. There are spool pins in the 140. Some 140's will give you that spool feedback, some won't. I'll leave it to you to figure that part out, as that's half the puzzle!

Thanks. I bought another 140 and picked them both with BOK tension, but just because I knew whats the bitting on a keys I knew how high to go. And yeah surprisingly I learned to feel spools and how to deal with them in no time. I watched quite a few bosnianbills videos and I noticed he always goes TOK tension especially with challenge locks with most likely crazy hi lows. I think its a good idea in general to start with TOk especially if you don't know the bitting. But how you guys can tell the pin is overset, how does it feels?

[Ske13tonKey]

Welcome from another newbie, I have been having fun picking for the last month and have worked up to a 5 pin American 1105. It has all Serrated key pins, the driver pins are either Serrated or Serrated Spool pins. It got too easy to pick so today I added a 6th pin to it and have not been able to pick it yet... I get it to a false set and when I find the spool that is causing it and set it, it drops other pins so i start over.


Just have fun and pick as much as you have time for and dont get frustrated if you cant pick the lock right away... Each time you fail is just a step closer to the time you succeed.


UnlockingBoredom

Hey, thanks buddy. Yeah picking over and over again helps a lot. I was getting so pised that I couldn't feel any feedback and couldn't spp any of my locks, I was only able to rake a dollar store lock. And kept messing with the same 140 lock every evening until I learned to feel that minimal feedback lock was giving me and finally sppd it, and now im doing a lot better with other loks too.

[deolslyfox]

Half the game is tensioning. If you see someone who has a dozen picks and a hundred tension wrenches, they have been at the sport awhile.

Get some inserts from windshield wiper blades and make your own tools. Music wire makes a great TOK tension tool. I use .078 and file it to fit snugly in the lock.

Look up bosnisnbill's videos on tension tools.

Hope this is helpful.

[Jburgett2nd]

On padlocks I prefer the bottom, thats just personal preference. Do what feels right for you.

[GWiens2001]

On padlocks I prefer the bottom, thats just personal preference. Do what feels right for you.

Yes, even if you prefer the bottom, do what feels right for you. We don't judge.

Sorry, couldn't let it pass.

Gordon

[Ske13tonKey]

[Ske13tonKey]

Half the game is tensioning. If you see someone who has a dozen picks and a hundred tension wrenches, they have been at the sport awhile.

Get some inserts from windshield wiper blades and make your own tools. Music wire makes a great TOK tension tool. I use .078 and file it to fit snugly in the lock.

Look up bosnisnbill's videos on tension tools.

Hope this is helpful.

I had some old wiper inserts from my car but that thing is about 1/4" wide and i have no grinder or files to grind it down to proper size. I just bent the oposit end of the tension wrench that came with my kit, so i have only about 1/4" sticking out instead of 3/4, and it stays in TOK more secure.

[Ske13tonKey]

On padlocks I prefer the bottom, thats just personal preference. Do what feels right for you.

At this point for me it comes down mostly to the shape and size of a keyway. If the keyway is tall anough i can go for BOK, if the keyway is small and have uncomfortable shape il go for TOK.