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by tpark » 26 Mar 2017 13:23
I got my Super Max 7 Pin Practice Locks and I'm happy with them - they come with a good selection of security pins/pins for rekeying, and the cylinder is of good quality. It arrived promptly and I'm happy with shipping. The allen screw caps make for easy pin changing. I haven't done much with it yet, but it picks like a regular Schlage mortise cylinder, so it's good for authentic lock picking training. If you're looking for a practice lock (or one for experimenting with) this is a good one to get!
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by greengrowlocks » 26 Mar 2017 14:30
I like the set but, I would consider adding a couple of hooks that are shorter than the one that comes with that kit. As a new picker i find it hard to get hooks that tall under a low cut 4th or 5th pin without over setting them sometimes but that depends on the keyway. Also if im correct the only top of the keyway or (TOK) tension wrench that comes with that kit is .030 thick. I might recommend there tension wrench set also which comes with some thicker TOK tension wrenches. I've found that having a tension wrench with as little slop as possible tends to make it alot easier for me to open locks.
I agree completely with g-lock. I found out very quickly with my starter pick kit that the length and curve of the hooks and thickness of the tool made it more difficult to open things other than masterlocks and kwiksets. Once you get there I suggest shallow hooks around .017". G-lock is right about the TOK tension too as .030 is rather thin. I find Petersons .04 and .05" pry bars the most useful but are a bit pricey. Good luck finding your kit! Members above made great suggestions. GGL
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by Raffles101 » 7 Apr 2017 8:48
Thanks all. Yes ive noticed certain hooks will open 90 percent of tumblers.
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by MrWizard » 12 May 2017 8:08
Ted Thanks tpark for purchasing a pair of my Super Max 7 Pin Practice Locks! And thank you for posting the positive comments about them. If I can be of any assistance to you just PM me I am always available. Have fun with them. Thanks Richard
"Those who believe in telekinesis, raise my hand."
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by MrWizard » 12 May 2017 8:22
Raffles101 wrote:Thanks all. Yes ive noticed certain hooks will open 90 percent of tumblers.
I have only one pick in my everyday pick case since 1978 and is what I use on all locks if it will fit in the keyway. A half diamond is what is used when the hook won't fit. Been working as a professional locksmith since 1978 and the HPC hook pick is my choice of pick to use always. They are cheap in price and if you take care not to over do it they last a long time. The one in my pick case now has been in there so long I can't tell you if it has bee 5 years or 8 still looks and works great. If you are bending your picks you are trying too hard. I have never had to sand any pick smooth I use it as it comes and just using it all day everyday it smooths out in a few days of use. Just saying..... Richard
"Those who believe in telekinesis, raise my hand."
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MrWizard
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by tpark » 12 May 2017 17:08
MrWizard wrote:Raffles101 wrote:Thanks all. Yes ive noticed certain hooks will open 90 percent of tumblers.
I have only one pick in my everyday pick case since 1978 and is what I use on all locks if it will fit in the keyway. A half diamond is what is used when the hook won't fit. Been working as a professional locksmith since 1978 and the HPC hook pick is my choice of pick to use always. They are cheap in price and if you take care not to over do it they last a long time. The one in my pick case now has been in there so long I can't tell you if it has bee 5 years or 8 still looks and works great. If you are bending your picks you are trying too hard. I have never had to sand any pick smooth I use it as it comes and just using it all day everyday it smooths out in a few days of use. Just saying..... Richard
Perhaps for the pros a couple of picks will do, but I need all the help that I can get 
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by femurat » 13 May 2017 2:33
So Richard doesn't sand his pick, he brass it tpark, you can pick with just a hook like Richard or with just a half diamond like me. You don't get extra help from different picks. When you find your favourite one you'll see. Get a few tension wrenches and you're good to go. Different picks are needed for dimple locks of course. Cheers 
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by GWiens2001 » 13 May 2017 6:35
femurat wrote:So Richard doesn't sand his pick, he brass it tpark, you can pick with just a hook like Richard or with just a half diamond like me. You don't get extra help from different picks. When you find your favourite one you'll see. Get a few tension wrenches and you're good to go. Different picks are needed for dimple locks of course. Cheers 
+1 I have more tension wrenches than picks in my kit. 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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by tpark » 13 May 2017 21:34
femurat wrote:So Richard doesn't sand his pick, he brass it tpark, you can pick with just a hook like Richard or with just a half diamond like me. You don't get extra help from different picks. When you find your favourite one you'll see. Get a few tension wrenches and you're good to go. Different picks are needed for dimple locks of course. Cheers 
Well, there may be some truth to what you say. I do think that special picks (thin, different profile) are needed for some paracentric keyways, but my personal experience has been that if the pick isn't binding in the keyway, the lock can be opened with most any hook. I have a number of different tension wrenches, the Peterson Prybars seem to work well. I took my original HPC hook (which I hadn't used for ages) and I was able to open all the non-paracentric locks I had here. I am now sad that I've spent money on picks which I could have used on wine, whiskey or beer! Ah well, such is life.
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by phrygianradar » 14 May 2017 0:36
I agree with Gordon on the tension wrenches in the kit! That can be the hardest part sometimes; how to tension it! I Pretty much just buy picks of various shapes and sizes becaus I love to collect them, but I almost always use the Peterson gem or slender gem and a prybarn the field. Every now and then I'll sit around picking the same lock with different picks just for fun. Just wanted to make sure this horse was totally dead...
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