Broke my first pick

[emt1581]

Last night I was sitting in my vault trying to get one of my old Sentry safe's opened up. I lost the keys years ago and was using a screw driver to slightly tilt the lock to allow the safe to open. Again, I was in a much larger vault so the only real use of the safe was it's fire-resistance.

Anyway, for some reason I couldn't get the pins to set. I tried a little tension, then a lot....no luck. I was using my first (and currently only) pick set...my Majestic. Tried the hook, the ball, the Bogota... these (4) pins just kept coming back down after being pushed up. I'm thinking from using tips of knives and screwdrivers for the last 15-20yrs I probably did something to damage the locking mechanism. But after about 10mins. of picking and raking, I got frustrated and called it quits.

Now it might sound weird but I kinda wanted a confidence booster so I moved over to one of the locks on my gun case. I had picked it before but I figured it'd end the night on a positive note. I stuck the Bogota in and raked it twice and it got stuck. Weird, never happened before. Once I got it free, the first two humps were missing...looked like a half-diamond left on the pick. Then I grabbed what looked like an extractor in the Majestic kit and it worked to pull the piece out.

Oh well, I guess I was a little to rough and should have given up earlier. But how was I to know?...How can I tell if a lock has an issue versus it just being my weak capabilities? What about when a pick is wearing out...what do you look for?

Thanks

-Emt1581

[billdeserthills]

When I start getting mad I know it is time to change my game. That may be a different tension wrench or pick, but I know when
I start taking it personally, it is time for a change

[emt1581]

When I start getting mad I know it is time to change my game. That may be a different tension wrench or pick, but I know when
I start taking it personally, it is time for a change

Yup, I tried that. Different wrench, different grips/positioning, etc. I wasn't getting anywhere. And I don't think Sentry's are all that difficult to pick.

It was a 1990's version of this...

http://www.sentrysafe.com/Products/491/1200_Privacy_Lock_Chest

While I don't have the key, I don't remember it being anything radical. Just a few bumps on the key to push the pins.

-Emt1581

[billdeserthills]

You can always try some light oil, but ten minutes is too long for a simple cam lock
You likely just had an off day

[emt1581]

You can always try some light oil, but ten minutes is too long for a simple cam lock
You likely just had an off day

No chance the lock was busted from the years of prying/abuse?

Hell, I picked my house's deadbolt and knob in seconds...I can't imagine I would have been that hung up on the Sentry. But I suppose it's possible. I'm pretty new to picking.

-Emt1581

[FoxMacLeod2501]

When I start getting mad I know it is time to change my game. That may be a different tension wrench or pick, but I know when
I start taking it personally, it is time for a change

Amen to that! A real solid piece of life advice there.

[FoxMacLeod2501]

You can always try some light oil, but ten minutes is too long for a simple cam lock
You likely just had an off day

No chance the lock was busted from the years of prying/abuse?

Hell, I picked my house's deadbolt and knob in seconds...I can't imagine I would have been that hung up on the Sentry. But I suppose it's possible. I'm pretty new to picking.

-Emt1581

Every lock is different. A really good picker I know (not to mention myself and my meager skills) couldn't open a Schlage that was giving me fits, despite being all standard pins with 4 of those little mastering pins in it. On paper that thing should have fallen open, but I spent probably 4 hours over a few days,and he spent an hour. Even the most basic Master can sometimes be super difficult... Just one of those fluke things.

[billdeserthills]

You can always try some light oil, but ten minutes is too long for a simple cam lock
You likely just had an off day

No chance the lock was busted from the years of prying/abuse?

Hell, I picked my house's deadbolt and knob in seconds...I can't imagine I would have been that hung up on the Sentry. But I suppose it's possible. I'm pretty new to picking.

-Emt1581

You can turn a diamond pick over, insert it into the lock all the way and see if all the wafers are freely moving

[kwoswalt99-]

So you broke your first pick eh... welcome to the club!

[WestCoastPicks]

I'm always super light on my tools and tension. Been picking for years and have yet to break a pick. If you have to bear down hard enough to break your pick, you're probably doing something wrong.

[emt1581]

I'm always super light on my tools and tension. Been picking for years and have yet to break a pick. If you have to bear down hard enough to break your pick, you're probably doing something wrong.

Yeah I got that impression. Honestly, I think I was just frustrated so I got way to rough with it.

Live and learn!

-Emt1581

[billdeserthills]

I'm always super light on my tools and tension. Been picking for years and have yet to break a pick. If you have to bear down hard enough to break your pick, you're probably doing something wrong.

Yeah I got that impression. Honestly, I think I was just frustrated so I got way to rough with it.

Live and learn!

-Emt1581

Yeah, that's how I do mine too