frustration

[quasar]

so, I am yet to pick a real lock. I have two small padlocks that open so easily that I cannot really feel anything before it's already over. And then I have a bigger padlocks which I cannot open.

I think I'm managing to set one pin, but I cannot set the second. It seems that when I put just a little tension on the thing, all the pins get kind of stuck, and it takes a great effort to loosen them up. Maybe because the Loc is too cheap, I don't know. It's always a hard push and then something gives in the pin goes all the way.

[Hojo]

Mabey your putting to much tension on, another problem might be that its dirty/greasy, get yourself a graphite based lubricant, dry film if you can, give it a good spray, then get a key that fits the lock and stick it in and out wiping the key every couple of pulls, continue and that might help. antoher thing is that the lock could have security pins, can we get the name and version of the lock?

[poisoned]

Sounds like ur using too much tension.. What type of picks do u have? homemade or what? And what locks do u have?

[poisoned]

TV.. Hojo's post wasnt there when I started to write my reply .. I forgot to say that it might help u if u would make (if u dont allready have 1) a twistflex (or what was it called) tension wrench so u wouldnt apply too much tension..

[SFGOON]

It sounds like you're hitting the pins one at a time, which is fine, but scrubbing may set more pins for you. (Refer to the MIT guide for details) If you're using padlocks you can get a rough idea of how many pins are set by shaking it and listening for the rattle of the freed pins. Also, the tension should be dynamic, i.e. changing frequently. Hopefully you can improve your results, good luck.