QuantumEntangled wrote:Sure, you could be oversetting. If you want you can take a look with a light into the keyway to try and discern pin heights. Or take a look at the key bitting to see what's going on inside. If you dont have the key take some different hooks and feel each pin starting from the back and working your way frontwards. A small half diamond would be okay--you are trying to run the tool over each pin, not to set them but to get a feel for whats up inside. Hold the tool loosely and let it gently pivot between your fingers. Pay close attention to ascertain the stacks' lengths. Take your time and compare each stack to the ones adjacent to it. Write down your observations if you like. Once you know what is going on inside the lock, then you can plan your attack. Try a few different hooks and maybe a half diamond. Stay away from rakes for this exercise because you want to feel what is going on. Try to visualize the pins as you feel them to build a picture.
This is sage advice. Anytime I get a new lock I start at the front and push the pins up and then slip the pick to the next pin until i get to the back of the stack. I get a pin count and have a good idea which pick to start with. If I see or feel any security pins I will apply slight tension and determine what kind of pins are in there and then get to the fun.
