Stuck on my first picking!

[Ap96]

Hello lock picking community I have been trying to pick an Abus 45/40 with home made tools (paperclips) I am trying to rake it but just no luck. Btw I am very new to this second official day of trying and watching videos on youtube. Here is the setup any advise?

[Squelchtone]

Hi,
The [image] tags only work to display inline images if the link address is directly to a picture ending in .jpg, .png, .gif. The link you put is a link to an imgur webpage which has your pic embedded in its html but the forums [image] tag doesnt know how to display a whole web page with a picture in the middle of it along with other buttons, links, and pictures.

Right click your pick, select View Image and when it is the only thing on your screen, look up at the URL address bar and you'll see an address that looks more like http://i.imgur.com/somerandomletters.jpg

Hope that helps, and that lock has anti picking security spool pins, not what I would recommend for a total beginner using paper clips, which I recommend immediately throwing away, because those only work in the movies. Your padlock reminds me of the Abus Model #41 which was one of my first locks. Get a large safety pin and bend it like you made the humps on your paperclip, and for a tension wrench get a windshield wiper out of trash can outside auto parts store, rip off the rubber and inside you'll find stainless steel strips that you can use pliers to cut off a 6 inch piece and then bend 1/2 inch on one end to make a nice wrench. Much better tools than 2 paperclips that bend and flop around and break.

Squelchtone

[Ap96]

Thanks for the advise Squelchtone. Here is the link that is one of the videos I started with https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttHclcJZex4

As far as the lock I have would you recommend pick each single pin or how do I go about picking this specific lock?

[Squelchtone]

You pick that lock with tons of practice, better tools, and building your skills up by picking much easier locks than that one. I'm curious, what got you interested in picking and why did you decide to start on that padlock? To answer your question, it can be single pin picked but I prefer raking them. You can also combine techniques when dealing with false setting spool pins.

Put that lock in the naughty box for a while until you make or buy some actual lock picks, and practice on a Master Lock No.3 padlock or a Kwikset deadbolt from Home Depot or Lowes first.

Squelchtone

[Ap96]

It was by fluke really I was always interested in stuff like this when I was younger hacking as well but it was just for fun but my parents disapproved of my practices and took them away eventually the interest died. Now in present time I was surfing youtube and saw a video that was recommended to me and this is where I started back up so its just out of mutual interest really. Its weird I cant even really put a finger on why I like it lol. But this lock in particular I had bought a long time ago for the gym lost the key never used it. I'll try getting some better tools off the net like starter picks and try to find those locks that you recommended. I have another one that was provided by the storage facility but that one is hard as well its a round one. If you youtube how to pick locks theres a bunch of people using paper clips.

[Squelchtone]

If you youtube how to pick locks theres a bunch of people using paper clips.

That's great for the 13 year old "look what I can do" crowd, but if you ask for our advice, then it might be good to listen to it. Throw away the paper clips, at least go get a safety pin, you'll immediately feel the difference vs bendy shitty metal paper clips. You might even have trouble making the humps using your pliers, that's how much better the stainless steel in a safety pin is compared to whatever junky metal paper clips are made of. The tension wrench made of paperclips is total crap too, seriously, get a windshield wiper insert and make a real tension wrench for yourself, you can also use a file or a bench grinder to make your first real picks from a wiper blade, and there are plenty of tutorials here and other people who can show you how.

Squelchtone

[Ap96]

ok thanks as far as the other locks go this is what I was talking about.

[jbrint]

Get some picks and scoop up a couple of new locks so you start with a clean slate and the best possible odds of getting the hang of it. There could be issues with the older locks having seen a bunch of weather and all. Practice and then practice some more.

[kwoswalt99-]

Those storage Abus locks wouldn't happen to be locks that you still use right?

[sleepyrz]

if you need pick making material go to an auto parts store

there are two type of windshield wipers in their trash



the top one has a much thicker piece of steel that can be used for picks(about 1/2 - 5/8")

and the bottom one has thinner pieces used for making tension wrenches(~1/4")

literally just go to a few and take all the old wipers out and take them apart and you should have enough stock to make anything you want

[GWiens2001]

Those thinner inserts (technically, the insert springs) are what I use most for picks. The thicker springs will not work as picks in many keyways.

Gordon

[sleepyrz]

i actually just bought a klein fish tape model number 56005

its 25 feet of pick material


https://www.firefold.com/Assets/Tools/K ... tape-2.jpg

i do have picks from sparrows and hpc and peterson and some others

but i like making my own sometimes

[Squelchtone]

i actually just bought a klein fish tape model number 56005

its 25 feet of pick material


https://www.firefold.com/Assets/Tools/K ... tape-2.jpg

i do have picks from sparrows and hpc and peterson and some others

but i like making my own sometimes

since OP is using paper clips, I'm gonna guess that he's on a budget, so the wiper inserts being absolutely free are a good suggestion for his first *wrench*

maybe if he decides to spend some money on a pick set like a basic $20-$30 dollar Southord or to make his own, then that fish tape at $12 dollars would be a good material.

Squelchtone