newb with question

[bcutrufelli]

Ok Hello I am new on this forum and it would not let me postg an introduction on the genral info so here it is. Ok I am used to forums and know how to search. speaking of which I wish i could search by thread title

I have ordered a basic set but in the mean time i am trying to use improvised tools. I have opened a simple lock but now I am addicted.
Ok here are my questions. When a pin sets does it literally stay in place while torque is applied? I can get one or to oins to stay raised in the lock doews this mean they are set? They fall when i let the torque off for some reason i am having trouble with some in the back of the lock.
secondly what is the difference between scrubbing and raking?

[fugi]

it depends how the lock is situated. if you're picking it with the pins on top, and you set a pin, the key pin will fall back down, but not be springy. if you're picking it with the pins on the bottom, it'll just stay down. if you apply torque after you set a pin, it will stay set, as the driver pin is inside the hull of the lock and the key pin is in the plug of the lock and it should be slightly offset from the torque that it will not be able to pass in between without excessive force on the key pin.

where are you putting your torque? where the pins are or below? what kind of pick are you using?

[Wolf2486]

Just to make this clear. Your goal in lockpicking is not to raise the pin you can SEE as high as it can go. This will overset the pin. You want to raise the pin you can SEE until you feel a slight give, click etc. As for scrubbing and raking. It was my belief that scrubbing is placing a pick parallel to the pins and letting the bumps on the pick hit the pins as you "scrub" back and forth. Raking is when you insert the pick and raise the end. Then jerk out quickly while barely hitting all the pins. However, you should really stick with pin pressing or individual pin picking (same thing) if you want to become more experienced. I hope this helps.

Wolf

[fugi]

yea, understand that there's a pin stack, not just a pin. http://www.gregmiller.net/locks/mitguide/ is helpful.

[bcutrufelli]

ok so the pin will have no spring effect when set so am applying to much upward force whe the pin sticks up on its own and does not return to its normal position.