PLEASE HELP!!!!!!

[JiuJitsu500]

OK, I'm new to this lockpicking stuff, maybe a couple of months into it. I got the MIT guide, and it helped a little on simple locks like desk and cabinet locks, but not at all toward door locks. I then downloaded the "Secrets of Lockpicking" guide, and I think it helped a little towards doors, but still it sucks for me. To the point, I can easily pick desk and filing cabinet locks in about 4 seconds, even ones i've nevr done before. I also easily pick the locks that hook up computers to my school. I cannot for my life pick a door lock. I picked my deadbolt once, and my handle lock twice, but I can't pick them any more. I did them in 3 minutes the first time, but now that i've done them , i can't do them anymore. Can someone please post another guide to lockpicking or some techniques you guys use?

By the way, the locks are Brinks and i can't pick a Brinks padlock either. PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!

{edited by Varjeal: please refrain from the use of inappropriate language. Thanks.}

[quicklocks]

it just takes lots and lots of practice. you may also find that the door locks you referr to have mushroom or spool pins witch are a pain in the arse good luck . remember practice

[Varjeal]

You should probably start with some practice on some padlocks, and then purchase a cheap door lock that will most likely NOT have pick resistant pins in it. Depending on the quality of the locks on your door, as mentioned before, there may be pins of that type in there.

[JiuJitsu500]

I locked up my door locks at the place where I got them, and it turns out that there are no mushroom or any other type of those pins in it. And it also turns out that my deadbolt is a Kwikset and my handle lock is a Shlage. Are these any different or harder to pick for some stupid reason?
I made my picks out of a lot stonger metal than hacksaw blades, Butter knives!!! I have a half diamond and a rake. My tension tool is a filed-down allan wrench. I guess my questions are:

Can any one give me some tips for starters that aren't already stated in my guides?

What should my first pick set have in it?

Is there any other guides online that I can read?

I've practiced for hours an my fing door locks since I first picked them and they still will not open. Mybe my pick dimensions are off. I've also read the Greg Miller guide on how to make pics, but that didn't help, all I got was the shaft and handle lengths, but how tall should the pick heads be?????????

Any help would be great. Thanks for the help already given Varjeal and quicklock.

BTW, I apologize for the language, Varjeal.

[Varjeal]

Thanks for the apology, and it's accepted. You may want to start your picking career with a lock that you can hold in your hands, or a lock that you can clamp into a vise and have a comfortable chair or position to work in. This will aid greatly. Schlage locks in general have tighter tolerances than those of Kwikset, Weiser, and other knock-off brands.

The material that you made your picks out of is indeed stronger than what commercial picks are made of, but I don't believe it's your design that's the issue here.

Most likely, the issues are tension and technique.

1. With a tension tool such as what you are using, if you are putting ANY pressure on the tension wrench other than the weight of your finger, you're using too much.

2. As far as technique goes, I'll try and describe that briefly, (hopefully it makes sense). Beginning at the back of the lock with a hook pick, (that is, a pick with a single gradual hook on the end), gently lift the pin very slowly until you feel the tension tool shift even the slightest amount. That done, lower the pick, move it towards the front of the lock one pin, and repeat.

Once you've done that procedure throughout the lock, try varying the tension. If the lock doesn't turn at this point, very slowly release tension and count the number of clicks. This will tell you how many pins you've successfully "set".

Repeat the above steps, beginning at the second last pin, then progressing to the last pin, then working forward to the front of the lock. Continue this procedure until the lock is picked.

Hope that helps.

For starter sets, check out my FAQ in the first forum.

[JiuJitsu500]

Well, Varjeal, I think that what you have just told me in half a page was more helpful than those guides. I have to thank you a lot. I picked my deadbolt two more times, and i'm still working on the handle lock, but still, thanks a lot.

Only a few more questions--------

Where is the FAQ about beginning pick sets? Can you give me a link for it plz?

And I reasd your profile on accident, but I stumbled on the fact that you, much like myself, like to build knives. I must respect that. The question is, do you use 1/8" sheet metal for the blade? I made some crappy ones and I'm just using the Drill Press and the Grinder, anything else needed?

Iknow that's off topic, but life sucks. Again, thanks, and are you the only moderator in this site? I've only seen a few posts by blackwave and Mr. picks.

If anyone has any more help, I would be extremely greatful. Thanks again!!!!!

[Varjeal]

Here's the link you asked for:

viewtopic.php?t=899

So far, most of my knives have been "kit" knives from Darrel Ralph, but I've also made one from an old file, piece of brass, and some deer bone. Also, I've started recycling butcher knives and stuff, grinding 'em down into smaller, more usuable knives. I use a drill, files, a dremel tool, and LOTS of sandpaper..hehehe..but yeah, that's kinda off topic.

Anyways...I'm the only really active moderator. Mr. Picks visits the site from time to time to make sure I'm not ticking everyone off and to make modifications as I whine about 'em. He also answers all of my silly questions about how things are supposed to work, etc. So that's a big help.

blackwave mostly responds to my posts in the moderators forum, but other than that, (unless he skulks around under an alias) I don't see much of him.

Anyways, that's that. Hope it helps.

[JiuJitsu500]

Thanks for all the help again, varjeal. I only have a couple more questions

1--- I can pick the crap out of my deadbolt and two other deadbolts of the same company, but why can't I pick my Shlage handle lock? Any other tips?

2--- I still can't pick my Brinks padlock, HELP PLZ!!

And my final question is (drumroll)----------------

I can't buy any picks because I'm under age, 16, so should I make the same set out of butter knives? And do I really need the broken key extractor?

Thanks again, man.

[Varjeal]

1. Schlage locks have tighter plug to shell tolerances, therefore requiring a more sensitive touch, a more exacting tension, and more patience.

2. Goto 1.

3. re: butter knives. Sure. Key extractor? Nope. Not necessary.

[JiuJitsu500]

I was thinking of making a set like that out of my butter knives, and would like your approval on this one-----

I have 2 tension wrenches made out of allen wrenches, one wider than the other, and I was wondering if these 7 picks would do:

Half diamond, snake, "M" looking rake, small hook, large hook, rake, and ball.

and btw, what is each pick besides the hooks used for?

I think my patience is the issue, but I'll learn. Thanks again.