picked my first lock today

[bigtimehardline]

got one of these at the hardware store today and was able to pick it after a few minutes.

http://www.masterlock.com/cgi-bin/prod_search.pl?product_number=3D&Go.x=11&Go.y=7

i know its probably not a difficult one, but i was happy.

any suggestions on what to try next?

[swamp]

Well you're one up on me. Just got some picks last week and picked up that lock and a cheap deadbolt. I can pick the deadbolt with no problem, and continue to practice on it. That Master No. 3 is giving me no end of problems though. Do you (or anyone else) have any suggestions?

As far as suggestions go, I'd go pick up a cheap deadbolt somewhere to practice on. It's nice to be able to take it apart and see all the parts you've read about up in various guides up close. Just be careful and don't let the springs fly everywhere when you take the plug out the first time.. they're really hard to find.

-swamp

[fugi]

when I started, I found that picking most of the 4-pin padlocks was easiest with raking, except for a few with radical changes in pin height back and forth. after a while, you'll be able to rake a couple times instead of going pin by pin.

[stick]

Practicing until you can rake a lock is generally the opposite of what people strive for. Raking will only take you so far; higher end locks will not be suspect to that method.

[fugi]

there was a lock that used spool pins, I couldn't get it setting individual, but raking did it.

[digital_blue]

It just so happens that that particular lock was the first padlock I picked as well. To this day, when I pick it up and try to pick it one pin at a time I have a heck of a time with false sets on two of the pins. Although this probably doesn't do anything for developing my skill or technique, I have found that if I rake it a couple of times with medium tension 2 pins will set and 2 pins will false set with the bottom pins jammed up in the in the chambers. If I ease off the tension wrench and listen/feel for the 2 soft clicks, the two false set pins will drop and the next time I apply a bit more pressure to the tension wrench, the plug will turn and viola!

This seems to be a good example of knowing a lock too well. It is why I try and keep a wide variety of locks on hand to practice on (and why I am always acquiring more). Doing as I described above will work on *that lock* every time in about 4 seconds. But does that really make me a good lock-picker? Probably not, because it only means that I know the ins and outs of *that* lock. I suspect if I bought an identical lock and tried the same technique it wouldn't work.

This is probably a post that should have been a topic of its own, but has ne1 else experienced the same thing by "overpicking" the same lock to the point where it isn't a challenge anymore, but you're not actually developing any new skill?

[Vaniah]

wow this sounds really intense, im just starting, whats sum good beginer lock pick sets, and locks for that matter

[digital_blue]

Vaniah, there is tonnes of information on this site for the beginner. The only thing it seems this site can not provide for you is the patience to go through it all (pack a lunch) and the "time in" with pick tools in hand. You can get a list of many different places to buy pick sets in the FAQ section of the site. (I started with a bent safety pin and hair pin for a tension wrench, but quickly upgraded to a Southord PXS-17 I bought at lockpickshop.com).

As for the locks, padlocks are great to start with. They are easy to hold in your hand, and the ones you pick up from your local hardware shop are typically pretty easy for beginners.

If you haven't already, download the MIT Guide (you'll find the link in the FAQ section of this site). It's a great hobby, but don't get overwhelmed. Just have fun. Happy picking.

[Vaniah]

hey dig, thanks alot for the info, ima go look at that MIT guide right now...

[bembel]

With my new picks I just defeated an Abus Diskus Padlock for the very first time. Yesssss!
And that 2 times in a row. Har har, you bloody little #*%&$, who's your daddy now?

Not enough: Loaded with approx. 500% self-confidence I took out an behated Abus euro cylinder with spool pins and was also able to pick it for the very first time.

Those were the 2 most difficult locks I own at the moment. Feels like being James Bond and Superman altogether.

[Kigga]

probably the most ezest beginners lock is kwikset deadbolts
if you want to practice buy one of them, they are very cheap.
if you have a locksmith in your area go to his store and asks for any cylinders with or without the keys. they cost around 4 to 5 bucks