Starter-up kit

[ssscomp]

So, I am 72 years old and want to take this up as a hobby. Is there a general consensus as to the best starting kit with practice locks, basic picks and hopefully good photo or video instructions? Thanks in advance for any responses and stay safe everyone. Wear your masks. Ray Seligman

[blue60]

Welcome to the forum, as you do not have a location in your profile I have no idea what site to recommend, But here is a link to video on the "best beginner pick kits" https://youtu.be/klwzLePxbZY

[ssscomp]

Thank you so much for getting back to me. The website you referenced is excellent on trying to find a starting set of pics if that is even what they are called. I am looking more for a kit that would include beginner lock or two, tutorial, video etc. Not just the pics themselves. Thanks for everything and stay safe and wear your mask.

[nothumbs]

Plenty off tutorials on this site if you just use the search function. Most videos are 'trophy' videos of folks getting this or that difficult lock open. If you are US based you will be mostly working on standard pin tumbler locks. Wander through your local hardware store, or better yet, a reclaimed hardware store for inexpensive locks to work on. Nothing like a Master #3 to get started on. I was able to get quite the collection going buying old locks at a reclaimed hardware store; since they had no keys they were priced at a buck or two. Search on Ebay for 'used locks', you'll find quite a few for very low prices.