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Difficult bitting

Having read the FAQ's you are still unfulfilled and seek more enlightenment, so post your general lock picking questions here.
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Do not post safe related questions in this sub forum! Post them in This Old Safe

The sub forum you are currently in is for asking Beginner Hobby Lock Picking questions only.

Difficult bitting

Postby TorontoGuy » 18 Oct 2016 23:29

I am having trouble SPPing a standard 5 pin lock. I think it is because it has some rather extreme bitting (low,high,low, low high). Now, I expect the standard answer will be: "Stick with it and Practice, practice, practice." Which is good but I would like some suggestions about which picks should I select to attack this lock. i have been using a standard hook but I end up oversetting the first pin while trying to reach the second pin. A deep hook will reach pin 2 but gets caught up in the keyway when I try to go further in.
I have a good selection of picks (Southord and Sparrows) but am unsure what the general approach should be to tackling bitting issues.

TG
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Re: Difficult bitting

Postby Divinorum » 19 Oct 2016 0:02

Are you using top of the keyway tension? This can free up space at the bottom of the keyway and leave more room to maneuver.
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Re: Difficult bitting

Postby TorontoGuy » 19 Oct 2016 0:08

Yes, I have the sparrows flat tension bars. I am still getting used to them. They still occasionally fall out just when I get some movement in the core. I need more practice with TOK for sure but, thank you, that is a practical suggestion I will work on.

TG
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Re: Difficult bitting

Postby mseifert » 19 Oct 2016 7:31

My suggestions would be to a couple different picks ..

1 - Use a taller/longer hook .. Feel where the first pin is and reach in behind it .. Move slow

2 - Deforest Diamond .. I have had some luck with these when I am in these situations..

TOK definitely.. Free up some room to move on the bottom .. And Practice.. Once you get it open go back and try it again .. and really get a feel for what is happening .. It sounds very corny, but be able to visualize what it going on ..
When I finally leave this world.. Will someone please tell my wife what I have REALLY spent on locks ...
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Re: Difficult bitting

Postby TorontoGuy » 19 Oct 2016 8:49

Thanks, I am familiar with the deforest diamond even though I don't have one in my kit. I'll see if I can get one for the future. I have the sparrows offset hybrid but it doesn't have the reach of the deforest.
The reality for beginners is that there are locks...even relatively simple locks...that can be beyond our skill level. My grandfather used to say "It's a poor workman who blames his tools" I'll keep at it and see how things develop.
Thanks for the useful advice.

TG
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Re: Difficult bitting

Postby TorontoGuy » 19 Oct 2016 9:15

Since I live in the same town as Sparrows, it makes sense that I go to them first.
Is the Sparrows 'Lunatic' a reasonable substitute for a Deforest Diamond?

http://www.sparrowslockpicks.com/product_p/mp8.htm

TG
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Re: Difficult bitting

Postby mseifert » 19 Oct 2016 9:31

TorontoGuy wrote: "It's a poor workman who blames his tools"


I live a lot of my career by this very statement.. But I also believe .. "Right tool for the job"
When I finally leave this world.. Will someone please tell my wife what I have REALLY spent on locks ...
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Re: Difficult bitting

Postby Silverado » 19 Oct 2016 9:31

I'm no professional by any means, but that looks like any other deforest diamond I've seen.
"If you are not currently on a government watch list. You are doing something wrong" - GWiens2001
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Re: Difficult bitting

Postby Daltonj21 » 19 Oct 2016 10:11

TorontoGuy wrote: Is the Sparrows 'Lunatic' a reasonable substitute for a Deforest Diamond?

http://www.sparrowslockpicks.com/product_p/mp8.htm

TG


I juat got this pick a couple weeks ago. I really like deforest diamonds and this is a pretty good one for wide open keyways.
Its quite a bit different than what you normally see and there isn't much of the diamond on the tip. Its MUCH steeper than say petersons but if it will fit it works great. I would recommend it for locks American , KW1 or LA


If you told us the what the kind of lock or keyway it was that would help us make recommendations.
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Re: Difficult bitting

Postby TorontoGuy » 19 Oct 2016 11:34

This lock is a Schlage. Looks like an SC8 keyway....not completely wide open but not super tight either.
I'll probably get this pick anyway since it is a better tool than I currently have in my set.
Part of the skill set is knowing which tool to choose in specific circumstances. So that is also what I am trying to develop knowledge in as well as the mechanical skills in picking. It is all part of the learning process that I like.

TG
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