ARCHIVE 2003-2013 Introduce yourself HERE if you are new. :)

[ToolMan]

Just wanted to introduce myself, I've been lurking around the forums for a while now, thought it was about time I made a post

I got into lock picking a few months ago, purely as a hobby. There's just something about hearing the shackle 'click' open, or feeling the tension wrench go slack that is addictive. I see locks as mechanical puzzles and enjoy the challenge that picking locks brings. I also like the lateral thinking aspect of opening locks, sometimes there's an easy way around what seems like an impossible problem. It's just a case of doing plenty of research, followed by lots and lots of practice.

I quickly realised that commercial lock picks and tools are expensive, but I also figured that most tools could improvised or made at home with some basic tools and a bit of skill/knowledge. I've read quite a few of the threads in the Manual/Mechanical picking forums and some of you guys make really professional looking tools, something I will be trying hard to emulate. My old picks made from the blade of a wallpaper scraper and ground into shape are really starting to look bad compared to some of the stuff you guys make! I'm also looking to progress my knowledge of locks and lock picking further (looks as though I've come to the right place ) and have started dismantling every lock I can find to see how they work and how they might be opened without a key.

Well, that's it for now. Just wanted to say "Hi" and thanks for the great site, there's a lot of useful information here and I don't intend to waste any of it.


ToolMan

[Varjeal]

Welcome.

[Scottie]

Just wanted to say hi and thanks for all the help. I had already read the MIT guide before finding this forum. It helped a lot. Then I got here and saw the h2k2 video. Having never seen picking done before this was very important to my current success. I took some recomendations from the forum about which picks to get as well. This is probably the most enjoyable hobby I've ever tried. I've gone at a number of padlocks of varying brands and with all but one I've achieved success. I've also tried a filing cabinet and a deadbolt with success.

I did have a question though. I've read through the forums (as much as I'm willing to with the search feature at any rate.) trying to find more info on why Master #1 and #3 are so bloody easy to open. I know that that's why they are recommended, but I've had experience with 3 now and it's no harder than sticking the pick in and turning the tension wrech. Either I'm one of the luckiest people alive, which I doubt, or there is something seriously wrong with this brand of locks. Which is it?

I should mention that I was TRYING to pick these one pin at a time, using a shallow hook. But it's almost like I try to lift the back pin (not the latch mechanism) and the whole thing wants to open.

(And now another question, was this the appropriate place to post this question? Or should I have introduced myself here and posted the question elsewhere?)

So much ettiquette, so little time.

[PickPick]

Welcome to the board, Scottie. Since you've read TDFKAMITG (the document formerly known as MIT guide) you probably know that it's the tolerances that make it possible to pick lock. Now if you've got very small tolerances it's difficult to pick the lock. But keeping tolerances small requires precision machines and manufacturing. Precision is expensive, Master#1 and #3 ain't. But since this isn't exactly the right place for questions, if you want to discuss or ask more, make a new topic in the lock forum (after searching, we've probably discussed it before).
Have a nice stay.

[donjuan617]

Just signed up to LP101.Been pickin' and grinnin' for years,but after
having had trouble unlocking my girlfriends' door,I figured it was time to
brush-up!

[adric]

ive been playing with locks since i was about 8, ive completed a FoleyBelsaw course (i know its a joke, but i got nearly my money's worth in preactice and key machine and picks.. ) ive made nearly a hundered picks and have dissasembled locks, rebuilt locks, picked locks, fixed, installed, bypassed, drilled..... code cut keys, impressioned keys.. Ive been reading alt.locksmithing and here and other places for years, backin the day i had my own section for locksmithing on some bbs's...

im not your average secret-squirl locksmith, if you have a question i will do what i can to answer..

-Adric

[K!P]

wel i looked around on the forums, liked it and went on registering.

im from the Netherlands, Europe. lockpicking looks like a nice hobby (mechanical skills+In mind projection of how stuff works+ a puzzle factor = nice

[Zboy26]

I just found your website and had to join it. I have been picking locks on and off for some time, mostly cause I locked myself out of somewhere....lol But I am in need of a good quality hobby lately, as school is getting old fast. So lockpicking seems to be perfect. Can't wait to get active and up and running here. Laters alligators

[LockArt]

Hello From Nottingham England.

May I take this opportunity to give a brief description of who what and where I am.

My name is Michael Hart From Nottingham East midlands England.I own and run a business called Microline Securities which has been here for about 12 years.

We install repair and maintain Camera systems of all types for domestic and commercial use.I am a fully qualified Electronic Engineer to City & Guilds standard and now you are thinking whats he doing here then?

My interest in Locks and such has been there all along I am eager to learn more about this side of the industry and the forum is great reading

I heave decided to be brave and go to a 2 day course run by Just Locks in December maybe I will meet some other members there I see it is mentioned a lot on here at times as a good starting point for the basics.

Thats enough for now I hope to enjoy a long pleasent stay here and will continue to SEARCH and READ.

Thanks for listening Michael

[born2bteaser]

Hi guyz n girls

I am new

I would like 2 learn abt Lock Picking

[Varjeal]

Looks like I need to check in here more often. Welcome to all. May your pick-fu be as strong as your search-fu.

[nographite]

Hi everyone! Thanks for the invite, Phenoix, from good 'ol Coronado, a great place! (what's wrong with "Phoenix")?? I now live in PA, but lived in San Diego for 12 years. Hubby was a locksmith, and I went on many a night call with him in San Diego, and 'picked' up a lot of info and some techniques. Even raked a lock that he was 'taking a break' from. Been in the computer business since "Day 1", retired, various p/t jobs, and now am working for a truly great shop in Camp Hill PA. Completed impressioning and Picking classes. Even learned some new things via great instructor. Am having a hard time getting impressioning files that are FINE (#4). Also key identification (unusuals) is a slow go, as we carry about everything ever made, and you know there's always that few who have that rare key; is there a cross-reference book out there other than the ILCO? I'm enjoying myself, using hands and brain again, and have met some outstanding guys in this field. But my slim jim is sorta outdated, ha ha. Would be happy to hear from anyone out there! K

[Varjeal]

Both Lockmasters and HLFlake (and others I imagine as well) carry both the Swiss #4 and the Grobet, both of which are excellent to use, try them.

As far as key blank books..Ilco is about the best out there, but you could also try Blackhawks X-reference software.

Greetings and welcome to all.

[TheAssaMan]

Hi! I just wanted to introduce myself.

I have been interested in lockpicking for several years and I even got a lockpicking kit, but I never really got active, except for picking some padlocks which was surprisingly easy to do.

Two days ago I found this forum by chance and I spent the night reading the different postings, remembering my old interest. Reading I found myself challenged again, and this forum could be a sounding board for improving my skills, getting and maybe even giving information.

I live in Sweden, and if I could set a long term goal for myself it would be to be able to pick the ASSA line of locks (or how about picking the lock of my own apartment, yes that is it!), which must have 80-90 percent of the market here. I mean, ASSA has been used in virtually every apartment I have ever lived in. So I think that being able to pick ASSA would be real challenging and rewarding, considering the big trust that is put in this lock. I have never heard a bad word raised against it.

Well, there it is. Hope to report my experiments soon. Will try to get a low-grade ASSA to start on soon.

And oh yea, where did I put my pick lock kit?

[blackiceuk]

Just Joined today, just left a threat regarding Police pulling me in for trying to order some picks under UK Law Post.