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How to keep picks from slipping off pins?

Having read the FAQ's you are still unfulfilled and seek more enlightenment, so post your general lock picking questions here.
Forum rules
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.

How to keep picks from slipping off pins?

Postby Vargh » 27 Feb 2017 20:28

I finally bought myself some Southord Slimline picks and I absolutely love them! :D

The only problem I am having compared to my home brew windshield wiper pick is that my Southord picks slip off the pins more. My question is, is there any technique that I can use to prevent my picks from slipping off the pins as I push them up?
Vargh
 
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Re: How to keep picks from slipping off pins?

Postby GWiens2001 » 27 Feb 2017 21:13

Practice is the best advice we can give. You may try levering the pick off the warding in the keyway, and keeping your index finger alongside the pick/keyway entrance to give it a little more stability.

Gordon
Just when you finally think you have learned it all, that is when you learn that you don't know anything yet.
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Re: How to keep picks from slipping off pins?

Postby Vargh » 28 Feb 2017 10:29

GWiens2001 wrote:Practice is the best advice we can give. You may try levering the pick off the warding in the keyway, and keeping your index finger alongside the pick/keyway entrance to give it a little more stability.

Gordon


That's a good idea to try. Thanks!
Vargh
 
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Re: How to keep picks from slipping off pins?

Postby Ralph_Goodman » 2 Mar 2017 12:43

If you think the issue might be grip, the metal on the new picks might be too smooth compared to what you made yourself.

Have you tried roughing the edge with a file or some sandpaper? (By edge I mean the part of the pick that will be interacting with the pins). Make sure you keep everything else smooth so that it can slide in the keyway without too much friction.

I have never had this problem with picks, but I will commonly rough the metal in this way for tension wrenches. That helps with the grip in the keyway.

If I am understanding the problem right, this should work.
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Re: How to keep picks from slipping off pins?

Postby GWiens2001 » 2 Mar 2017 13:57

Ralph_Goodman wrote:If you think the issue might be grip, the metal on the new picks might be too smooth compared to what you made yourself.

Have you tried roughing the edge with a file or some sandpaper? (By edge I mean the part of the pick that will be interacting with the pins). Make sure you keep everything else smooth so that it can slide in the keyway without too much friction.

I have never had this problem with picks, but I will commonly rough the metal in this way for tension wrenches. That helps with the grip in the keyway.

If I am understanding the problem right, this should work.


I would do exactly the opposite - I try to polish all my picks so they glide through the lock. Though you could file a small groove in the tip of a hook pick to help center it on a pin.

Gordon
Just when you finally think you have learned it all, that is when you learn that you don't know anything yet.
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Re: How to keep picks from slipping off pins?

Postby Vargh » 3 Mar 2017 19:59

GWiens2001 wrote:
Ralph_Goodman wrote:If you think the issue might be grip, the metal on the new picks might be too smooth compared to what you made yourself.

Have you tried roughing the edge with a file or some sandpaper? (By edge I mean the part of the pick that will be interacting with the pins). Make sure you keep everything else smooth so that it can slide in the keyway without too much friction.

I have never had this problem with picks, but I will commonly rough the metal in this way for tension wrenches. That helps with the grip in the keyway.

If I am understanding the problem right, this should work.


I would do exactly the opposite - I try to polish all my picks so they glide through the lock. Though you could file a small groove in the tip of a hook pick to help center it on a pin.

Gordon


Filing a small U in the tip is an interesting idea. I'll probably not do it on my new pick set that I just bought but I think I'll make some picks out of wiper blades to try this on.
Vargh
 
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Re: How to keep picks from slipping off pins?

Postby GWiens2001 » 3 Mar 2017 22:19

Have seen that idea used to help with Medeco - use the groove to catch the edge of the pin, and rotate it whichever way you need. A few companies make picks like that now.

Gordon
Just when you finally think you have learned it all, that is when you learn that you don't know anything yet.
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