First three picks

[Ronin]

This is my first post, I'm a newbie and just wanted to let others know about my experiences. I've read the MIT guide and the Secrets guide. I've purchased and received the SouthOrd mpxs-14 set and I've taken one of my Garage Kwikset deadbolts and removed the pins. I'm up to three. Now comes the steep curve of learning I suppose.
I suppose everyone gets here at some point. I'm trying to determine when I've got a pin picked or not and what the next pin to try is. Here is how it's going so far. By examining the key I can see that 3 just needs a little boost, 2 needs the biggest and 1 somewhere in between. I've got it to open once by jiggling and once by attacking it with these three in mind. But I've had to use different picks for each pin to get it right.
My order seems to be 2,3,1.
I guess I'm just wondering is this how it goes for everyone. Each pin takes a little conversation and then the next. Or do most of you just know which order to do it in.
Thanks for listening to my rantings.

[MrB]

I don't know if you have seen this document before, but you might find it helpful:

http://www.crypto.com/papers/notes/picking/

[MrB]

P.S. Welcome to the forum!

You might like to make an introductory post in the introduce yourself thread in the FAQs and General Information forum.

[WhiteHat]

read the subject line of this thread and came in ready to laugh at another newbie who didn't search first - but now I'm disapointed that was a good post...

as for pin order, it will depend on the lock the trick is being able to tell which pin is binding first and needs to be picked.

welcome! I look forward to reading your future posts!

[TypicalNuser]

Ronin, this is also my first "real" post and I know exactly what you're talking about. I've pretty much mimicked your progression but I’m practicing on an EZSET deadbolt that was taken from our kitchen entry door and a pair of paper clips, until the SouthOrd picks arrive. I’ve read the MIT guide and I’m almost done with Steel Bolt Hacking by Mr. Chick. And thanks MrB for that link on Picking Tumblers.

As you mentioned about “getting here at some point”, I can relate to that. If I may share with you in my trials on this recycled lock. I started with pins 1 and 2, I can tell that I have the “driver pin” above the sheer line not by sensing a click but by the way the “key pin” drops back down. I can feel the other three pins and like you I am trying to determine which pin wants to be picked next. I’m playing with the amount of tension applied to the torque wrench (paper clip) and guessing I just need to get a better feel if I’m binding the “driver” or “key” pin at the sheer line.

I was able to rake/ jiggle this lock once, which gave me a little inspiration and also seeing this post which gave me a lot.

[Ronin]

Thanks for the feedback.
Thanks TypicalNuser I'm glad I'm not the only one.
Thanks WhiteHat glad I didn't disappoint. I try to add something interesting and hopefully useful. I'm looking forward to contributing and learning from this forum, and learning the lockpicking skill.
Thanks MrB great link.