20 pieces set or 69 pieces set. .

[OPE]

i'm interested in lock picking, and i don't know which set to buy ..
the 69 one is sure expensive, is it really worth the price ??
i mean, do you really need that many picks ??
i'm thinking of getting the 20 pc set with the Padlock Picks
but the 69 pc set is more attempting. . .

can anyone give me advices ??
thanks

[WhiteHat]

have a read here:
viewtopic.php?t=1423

don't get that 69pce set!!

[Grudge]

Ditto on that. Most large multi sets have a ton of duplicates (sometimes they claim otherwise, but the difference can just be in the style of handle). Quite frankly a rake or two, a hook or two (or diamonds if you prefer) and a tension wrench (or two) is really all you need for pin tumbler picking. I would also recommend Euro (thinner) style picks because they work well in both big and small keyways.

[OPE]

thanks, i guess i'll buy the 20 pcs set. .
btw, how am i supposed to position the tension wrench ?
i tried putting it in the bottom part of the key hole, and turn it, but it doesn't seem to turn the plug. .
maybe i'm positioning the tension wrench wrong. .
please help~~

p.s. i'm using homemade picks (made from old glasses)

[WhiteHat]

you need to pick the lock before it will turn....

[OPE]

ain't i supposed to apply a fixed torque on the tension wrench , so the pins will set when i pick it ?? and once i set all the pins, i can't turn the plug because i can't get the tension wrench in the right position to apply the torque to twist the plug and open the lock ..

[WhiteHat]

if you are using the tension wrench correctly, then you are obviously not setting the pins.

a common newbie mistake is applying way too much tension - ease off a lot. then with your pick, find the most binding pin first, push that up until either: you feel a slight rotation of the plug or a click indicating that the pin has been set.

read the MIT guide too...

[skold]

This is another reason why i don't like newbies...They dont RESEARCH

[Hojo]

theres a difference between REASERCH and UNDERSTANDING

And lay off, we were all newbies once

By the sounds on what youve written, it sounds like your trying to pick the lock without any tension on there, you do realise you need to be doing the same thing at the same time, also, make sure your not turning too hard, and that its consistant, not on and off, as if you release the pins will re-set

[OPE]

sorry for any misunderstanding. . what i meant was, i couldn't put the wrench correctly into the key way, so i couldn't apply the pressure to the plug, which leads to the *unablility* of setting the pins
but after abit of practice, i can now apply slight pressure on the plug, therefore setting the pins. . .but the same problem occurred. . .i can't apply enough pressure to actually turn the plug open. . .
i'm sure i'm turning the right way, and the lock is a doorknob lock.. .

maybe its my poorly constructed home-made wrench

thanks for your info people

[WhiteHat]

enough pressure to actually turn the plug open.

if you can't apply _enough_ pressure to open the plug then your muscles are wasting away... think how much pressure you need when you're turning the key - not much at all - this is how much you need when you're picking. if you're applying this amount of pressure and the lock is still not opening, then the problem lies with the actual picking of the pins - a common newbie problem is pushing the pins up too far.

be very gentle - it's a delicate art, not a brute force thing.

from the sounds of it, perhaps your wrench (whatever you're using) is too large. try making it smaller (or waiting until you get a proper kit).

and finaly - above all when you're new - be patient - you'll get it eventually, and when you do, you'll realise what you were doing wrong.

[CaptHook]

be very gentle - it's a delicate art, not a brute force thing.

Hook not understand.....Hook force lock open.......
Listen to WhiteHat.
Chuck