Troube with Dollar Store lock

[ZackN]

Hello all,

I am new to picking (a few weeks in to it) and find it very satisfying to pick a lock, I now know why this is so addicting!

Edit: please be aware of shadows in pictures, they make some of the tools look strange.

To get started in this hobby I bought this set from amazon.
The included clear lock was great to learn with and to see how the internals of a lock work, but the lock was really easy to pick (huge confidence booster)



The week before I had purchased a 3 padlock set keyed alike, 2 of which went to lock my toolbox at work. The third became picking practice! It was more difficult to pick, but now I can pick it fairly easily.




I bought two of these locks at the dollar store, one to use to lock a bike im selling soon, the other as a backup (cheap u-lock that jams)
I cant seem to pick the lock and I am wondering if anyone has some tips, or suggestions. Thanks for the help!


I may buy another the next time im there so that I can try to make a cut away, its only $1 and would be fun to try!

[Jacob Morgan]

The transparent locks have a reputation for being easy. The padlock has simple bitting.

Regarding the cable lock, it has harder bitting, and that could make it more challenging. Also, when unlocking by key is it harder to turn than a regular lock? Does it unlock in both directions? Sometimes one can pick a lock but not realize it.

If you can, try to get a reasonable quality lock that can be repined. Put in three pins, practice, then four pins, practice, and so on.

[Ralph_Goodman]

I think it is hilarious that the Amazon link just shows a lock and a closed case.

An image so nice you need to see it seven times!

What came in the case?

[ZackN]

Sorry for the really late reply, here are some pictures of what came in the kit.








I think my issue with the cable lock is that its pins are further apart, and they have a different bitting than im used to.
My friend was able to open it by raking in under 1 minute. He was also able to get the other locks really quickly, somewhat frustrating as I spent lots of time on them hahah. We had a bbq and hang out day last month and I brought them over for him to mess with. Now Ill have to find some locks for him to practice on.

I noticed that the link I posted above is broken / amazon no longer has that particular product.
This one is similar to what I bought...

[Silverado]

If that's the key to the bike lock in the picture, my guess is that you're oversetting the second pin in. It's low so you may be unintentionally lifting it up while you pick the pins behind it. I have trouble with oversetting like that sometimes too.

[Ralph_Goodman]

Thanks for the images of the picks. Much appreciated!

Which of the picks are you using most? And are you planning on making any alterations?

They look pretty smooth from the pictures, but a couple of those profiles seem just a bit too bulky to be practical in a keyway.

[ZackN]

If that's the key to the bike lock in the picture, my guess is that you're oversetting the second pin in. It's low so you may be unintentionally lifting it up while you pick the pins behind it. I have trouble with oversetting like that sometimes too.

I think you are right. I have been able to rake it, but not single pin pick it, I think due to accidentally pushing the 2nd pin too far.

Thanks for the images of the picks. Much appreciated!

Which of the picks are you using most? And are you planning on making any alterations?

They look pretty smooth from the pictures, but a couple of those profiles seem just a bit too bulky to be practical in a keyway.

The one I use the most is the skinnier looking 'J' one. The picks work work well for my amateur abilities. I think that the 'w' one bottom left is what i have used for raking, it would be nice if it was a little thinner, it can be a bit difficult to go smoothly with it.

[ZackN]

I need to make some new tension wrenches. The one on the left in the picture is what I use the most, and its pretty weak now. The middle one is a bit too wide and tends to make it difficult to pick in a smaller key way.

Can anyone tell me what I am assuming is a tension wrench on the right is used for and why it is double ended?

Thanks

[Silverado]

Typically (the ones I've seen and used) double ended tension wrenches, bars, tensors, turners, whatever the universally accepted term is, have one end longer than the other so you have options and/or methods to get it into a recessed keyway. You can very easily make better ones out of windshield wiper blade inserts. Grab some old wipers or go to your local AutoZone or what-ever auto parts store and snag some discarded wipers out of the trash bins. Make sure you make your bends around something roundish or they will just snap.

[gumptrick]

Can anyone tell me what I am assuming is a tension wrench on the right is used for and why it is double ended?

Yes, that is a tension wrench. That style is for use on locks that have a spring-loaded shutter which covers the keyhole in order to keep grime out of it, such as most car door locks. The wrench itself is spring-loaded to hold the shutter open while you work. I do have one but I rarely use it.

I do suggest you look into "top of keyway" style tension wrenches; those are very useful and they are strangely lacking in most kits.

[ZackN]

I do suggest you look into "top of keyway" style tension wrenches; those are very useful and they are strangely lacking in most kits.

Thanks, ill check out those types of tension wrenches, and go pick up some old wiper blades from the auto parts store soon.

[Silverado]

Oh, wow. He was asking about the shutter tensioner...Paying attention is hard.