Finally got to try it

[petemoss]

So I finally got my pick set today. I started messing with a few spare locks I had lying around.

Master lock No. 140: I tied the small rake (half worm or something). It got an open almost instantly and I have been able to repeat pretty quickly every time. I tried what I think they call a city rake and all I have to do is insert it into the keyway and it opens automatically. I have tried SPP'ing and have had some success with the long curved pick, but the other picks have failed each time. I think that I am unable to maneuver to press the rear pin up high enough with them. I'm by no means good at it, but slowly getting better.

Master lock No. 3: I had similar experience with this lock as the 140. The only difference is that the city rake doesn't work for me at all on this one, though the full size "worm" one does, which didn't work for me on the 140. SPP has been pretty much the same. I just need more practice. On both locks I am having trouble with the bottom of the keyway tensions. The locks are so small that I don't feel like I have much room to maneuver the pick especially to the rear of the keyway.

Kwikset interior doorknob: This went pretty well using the larger rake. It took a little longer than the padlocks, but worked without too much trouble. I have not tried SPP yet.

Kwikset deadbolt: Pretty much identical to the interior doorknob except that it took about three times as long to open. No SPP yet.

I'm just going to sit here and mess with this while I watch TV and see if I get any better at it.

Petemoss

[petemoss]

Well, I've been working on this some more. I find that with the SPP'ing I am getting to where I can feel the unset pins and their springiness at least. I'm not doing so well at being able to tell when one is set vs. overset. On the 3 pin padlocks I am also having a hard time getting back onto the 3rd pin. I don't know if it is the small keyway combined with the shape of tools that I have at my disposal or just my lack of inexperience. It's probably a lot of the latter. Holy cow, talk about getting carpal tunnel syndrome though. My lock holding/tensioning hand is not happy with this at all. We shall see where it goes.

[pemlock]

If you think you have set a bound pin, and then no other pin seems to bind, it's likely that you have overset something.

Regarding these very cheap locks, they can sometimes be trickier than higher end locks due to really poor tolerances. They have sort of unintentionally added security, so to speak. I have a fairly large collection of cheap locks, and I still struggle with some of them, while I can open slightly better ones (like old Abus locks) consistently even though they have security pins. Tighter tolerances gives better feedback.

And if you're getting tired, you might be using too much tension. But even if that's not the case, you should probably get a vise. I use that for padlocks sometimes, just because long picking sessions can get very tiring otherwise. And, you'll want it for other types of locks eventually anyway.

[petemoss]

Thanks Pemlock, that is useful information.

I probably should get some better made locks to practice with, not hard ones necessarily, just ones with better machining and such so that I can better feel what is really going on inside. Separate the mechanism from the noise so to speak. Do you have any recommendations as to what might be a good/cheaper end lock to move into?

I had considered getting a vise, but I had though that hand holding the lock made it more real-world. After having a cramped up left hand though I am thinking you are right. I may need to look into that pretty soon when I can afford it.

[jeffmoss26]

nice name and welcome

[petemoss]

Thanks Jeff. Right back at ya my friend.

[petemoss]

So, I've been wearing out these same locks for a couple days. I know that I need to get some different locks to try out. While not as cool has having boxes full of all kinds of different locks, I decided to purchase The Revolver from Sparrows. I'm not sure how smooth or well machined it is, but it seemed like it would be a good choice for just learning to pick pin tumblers. Plus, since the pins are individually held in with allen bolts I should be able to swap stuff around without too much trouble. It also comes with a kit of pins and springs and whatnot, which will keep me from having to buy any extra parts for rekeying my practice lock.

I'm not sure if this was a good idea or not, but I hope that it will help. I still look forward to the big box full of miscellaneous locks one day.

[jbrint]

Revolver isnt bad and it comes with a repin kit. I keep this on my desk for pick habits and for a new picker it is great. You get to try a whole bunch of different pins in an easy to harder config.

[petemoss]

Thanks jbrint. I'm glad I didn't make a mistake.