Where to go from here?

[jdudzy]

I’ve been hobby picking for about 20+ years. Nothing really serious, but I am getting bored and wanting some insight to the next step. I have been able to pick a good variety of locks with security pins without a whole lot of difficulty. I went to purchase some higher security cores from eBay and I think I bit off more than I can chew. I ordered two Medeco (not realizing the exact insides and how difficult they are) so those are off the table for now. Any lock that is more challenging than regular padlocks with security pins but less than a Medeco? Any advice?

[GWiens2001]

Schlage Everest, then Schlage Primus. Possibly Mul-T-Lock (classic, not MT5).

Gordon

[Squelchtone]

good suggestions by GWiens2001!

I'd like to suggest anything 6 pin such as commercial Schlage, Arrow, BEST SFIC 7 pin, Keymark.


What brands or models of locks have you opened so far? Can you open a residential 5 pin Schlage in 30-60 seconds on demand no matter how mellow or aggressive the bitting is? How about a Master ProSeries 6 pin padlock with spools in 30 seconds or less? Open any ABUS padlocks? Those are always fun for practice.

That's how I personally gauge where I am in terms of needing to practice more at a particular level or moving onto more challenging stuff.

Squelchtone

[jdudzy]

Schlage Everest, then Schlage Primus. Possibly Mul-T-Lock (classic, not MT5).

Gordon

Thanks I actually just ordered what was advertised as a Schlage Everest 29 but turned out to be a Schlage Classic so I had to send it back (not before picking it of course)

[jdudzy]

good suggestions by GWiens2001!

I'd like to suggest anything 6 pin such as commercial Schlage, Arrow, BEST SFIC 7 pin, Keymark.

I should really pick up some of these. I just need a good set up with a vise or something to hold them. My Jerry rigged squeeze vice that I hold in my hand is a little bit of a pain.


What brands or models of locks have you opened so far?

I’ve picked anything I can pretty much get my hands on (legally). I have a handful of American Locks a couple of Yales and couple of Schlage cores that I just keep picking over and over. I should really get something to secure the cores to make them easier to hold. I think I just need to break down and buy some more off of eBay.

Can you open a residential 5 pin Schlage in 30-60 seconds on demand no matter how mellow or aggressive the bitting is?

I can get them open, not sure if it is under 60 seconds or not- to be honest I’ve never really timed myself! I need to pick up a new one and do that. I kind of feel like it’s cheating to time myself on ones here since I have picked them before I kind of remember the bitting and binding order.

How about a Master ProSeries 6 pin padlock with spools in 30 seconds or less? Open any ABUS padlocks? Those are always fun for practice.

[b]I have not picked up a pro series 6 pin yet. But I do have a couple of ABUS disc locks that I agree are fun. Don’t think I have broken 30 seconds on that yet. I’ll definitey have to start timers!

That's how I personally gauge where I am in terms of needing to practice more at a particular level or moving onto more challenging stuff.

I’m sure it’s around here, but any suggestions to a Mortis or some sort of thing to hold the cores. Like I said I’m just a hobbiest so besides lurking around on forums I don’t know the correct terminology. Any suggestions for a vice?

Squelchtone

[stratmando]

If you don't Rekey already, I would get Schlage and Kwikset Pins, followers, and the thin curved shims, to rekey locks, or make keys to locks that have no keys, usefull and you can make money. Also a key guage, depth keys handy as well. I learned to key locks with no key on my own, I would slide shim through the back and use a hook to lift pins one by one, then learned the other Smarter way(likely in locksmith school) to use a blank and slowly slide shim through as you remove the Blank, much easier. You can keep some nice old locks working.
Good luck

[jdudzy]

If you don't Rekey already, I would get Schlage and Kwikset Pins, followers, and the thin curved shims, to rekey locks, or make keys to locks that have no keys, usefull and you can make money. Also a key guage, depth keys handy as well. I learned to key locks with no key on my own, I would slide shim through the back and use a hook to lift pins one by one, then learned the other Smarter way(likely in locksmith school) to use a blank and slowly slide shim through as you remove the Blank, much easier. You can keep some nice old locks working.
Good luck

Yes I really need to get into this. May be a dumb question, but where does someone go about buying these things. Is there like a starters kits or a list where do get all of these things?

[Squelchtone]

If you don't Rekey already, I would get Schlage and Kwikset Pins, followers, and the thin curved shims, to rekey locks, or make keys to locks that have no keys, usefull and you can make money. Also a key guage, depth keys handy as well. I learned to key locks with no key on my own, I would slide shim through the back and use a hook to lift pins one by one, then learned the other Smarter way(likely in locksmith school) to use a blank and slowly slide shim through as you remove the Blank, much easier. You can keep some nice old locks working.
Good luck

Yes I really need to get into this. May be a dumb question, but where does someone go about buying these things. Is there like a starters kits or a list where do get all of these things?

CLK Supplies! =)

https://www.clksupplies.com/

and ebay!

and this seller has lots of cool practice stuff! https://www.ebay.com/itm/6-Pin-Pin-Your-Own-Practice-lock-Kwikset-Keyway-Includes-Pins-Springs-and-Kit/223070236283

[stratmando]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Kwikset-Rekey- ... xyu4dRrAfz

Something like above is a good value, Schlage is also on there.
Can also buy 10/15 pairs of precut keys for cheap.

Good luck

[jdudzy]

Wow both of these are great! Thanks! Just ordered

[RedE]

I echo the sentiments of those above and agree that SFIC locks are a good stepping stone. But I would also recommend that you take a look at original Sargent cylinders. While they don't have security pins as you may know (neither do SFICs typically), Sargents do have about the best machining tolerances of any lock manufacturer I know of. The close tolerances of their locks combined with an aggressive bitting will make for a pretty formidable challenge.

Also, it might also be a good idea to look into picking some locks with paracentric keyways if you haven't already. Lockwood's 1004A and Yale's PARA are good examples of this due to the very pronounced "zig zag" of their keyways.

[jdudzy]

I echo the sentiments of those above and agree that SFIC locks are a good stepping stone. But I would also recommend that you take a look at original Sargent cylinders. While they don't have security pins as you may know (neither do SFICs typically), Sargents do have about the best machining tolerances of any lock manufacturer I know of. The close tolerances of their locks combined with an aggressive bitting will make for a pretty formidable challenge.

Also, it might also be a good idea to look into picking some locks with paracentric keyways if you haven't already. Lockwood's 1004A and Yale's PARA are good examples of this due to the very pronounced "zig zag" of their keyways.

Great thanks. I used to have a Sargent core, but some how lost it in my last move. I bought a practice Schlage and kwikset as posted above. Pretty excited to have something that I can continuously change. I’ll check out the SFIC and some para key ways too. Thanks for the advice.

[stratmando]

You may want to try Lever Locks, go on YouTube and check out Locknoob, and Andymac, Talented, very good videos, both in Europe I believe, and seems they have been dealing with lever locks more than pin tumbler. Over here(US), seem we have more Experience with Pin Tumblers, mostly because what both run into. Don't mean to stereotype. Good luck

[jdudzy]

So I went a little crazy with the ordering but got some fun stuff. I ordered both the Kwickset and Schlage practice locks. Pinned them up with 6 random spools and serrated pins. They have been a lot more fun than the locks I currently have. After getting a little bored with those I went to sparrows website and bought the revolver and some Scrooge and check pins for a little more of a challenge. They just got here today. This may be a dumb question, but which side is up and which side is down?!

[GWiens2001]

So I went a little crazy with the ordering but got some fun stuff. I ordered both the Kwickset and Schlage practice locks. Pinned them up with 6 random spools and serrated pins. They have been a lot more fun than the locks I currently have. After getting a little bored with those I went to sparrows website and bought the revolver and some Scrooge and check pins for a little more of a challenge. They just got here today. This may be a dumb question, but which side is up and which side is down?!

Up is the side opposite down. Any more questions?

Schlage and Kwikset have the pins at the top of the keyway. The opposite of a Euro-profile cylinder. You can also usually tell on a factory lock by the way the writing on the lock faces.

If you are referring to orientation on security pins, most of the time the side with the least "security" grooves goes against the spring, and the most grooves (or shortest distance to a groove) goes against the key pin. But it is a good idea to try them out different ways.

Gordon