Good Starter Lock

[Maxian]

Hey all,

I just got my shiney new pickset and want to start trying my hand at some locks... I have some MASTER padlocks, but they are decently old and are slightly rusting. I plan on trying to pick these for now, but I am wondering whats a good first lock (I plan on going to the hardware store tommorow to try to get some locks)... Something that I could take the pins out of so that I can only learn one pin, then move up would be good.

Any help would be great, thanks.

[Eschatos]

If being able to remove and replace pins is important to you, I and everyone else here will recommend picking up a cheap Kiwkset deadbolt lock.

They are used by neophytes specifically looking to progressively raise their picking skill. Also, they are quite inexpensive (Some master locks can cost more than a quickset deadbolt)

Once you can pick 3-4 pins on the Kwikset, I say you should buy yourself some odd numbered Master locks (1, 3, 5, and 7) to fool around with. They have four pins, but are easy to pick nonetheless.

Good luck in your endeavors, practice a lot, every day, but don't tire yourself out!

[PickNflick]

I have a Master #3 which was my first lock (just this week in fact), I think it is good practice and not too hard. I have been able to pick it both by scrubbing and setting the individual pins.

[the_transporterkk3]

I first picked a dexter five pin deadbolt. This was very hard. I fully support all the statements made in the prior posts. However, I think you should go to your local locksmith supply shop and ask if you can buy a cutaway of a deadbolt and a padlock. If they don't carry them or they won't sell them to you, make your own or search the net for some on sale.
In order to make one yourself, you must understand how the lock works and, the right tools to use. If you must make one yourself, make one out of a simple deadbolt. Making cutaway padlock is much harder.
Search the forum for suggestions as to how to make one.

[fugi]

go buy a cheap master padlock, if you want an easy one look in the packages till you find one where all the cuts in the key are relatively the same level. it'll be trivial after a few times but it'll teach you the feel. don't start with one that has a deep cut then shallow ones, or radically alternating deep and shallow cuts on the keys, those are hard to start with.

get a rekeyable one too, preferable without security pins, so you can rekey it as you advance and memorize the feel of a certain pinning. they're like $15 tops. come with pins, well some do.

if you've read the guides you shouldn't need a cutaway, you should know what's happening inside the lock.

so in summary, flat looking keyed cheap master, rekeyable removable core lock with pin set, and practice.

[Maxian]

Hey thanks all for the quick reply. I decided to go with the KwikSet pad lock... So far I have gotten up to 3 pins... Although a problem I am having is I can pick it, but it feels more like luck then actual skill (I find the bound pin, and I kinda poke at it untill it feels unbinded)... Is this normal and will more practice help me ou twith whats going on?

[The Wanderer]

I don't know why your mucking about with padlocks etc. Varjeal sells a kit that has everything you need to learn to pick. I got one, and it is the sh*t. You will be able to constantly test yourself with this lock, and all the pins etc. that come with it. Mind you now, it ain't cheap, but if you have the pesos, you can't do much better than this.
I bought a bunch of padlocks to practice on myself when I started, Masterlock #1, #3, 140, 240. What a waste. I can pick any one of them now in nothing flat. Where's the fun in that? You will always be challenge with Varjeals U-lock package. I'll practically guarantee it!

[skold]

If you had bought rekeyable padlocks, you could have had that fun that you missed out on.

[Maxian]

Err, I didnt mean padlock, I meant deadbolt... Sorry

[Mr Ules]

A pin tumbler pad lock and a deadbolt work on the same pin mechanism. However, practising on deadbolts are more challenging in the beginning. From my expirience anyway.

[Kigga]

Get yourself a some cylinders from a locksmith shop, sometimes they will give you ones for free....

Just today i bought 2 schlage cylinders and when i turned the key and pulled the whole cylinder popped out and all the tiny pins and springs came flying out , all in my car....but still it was good cuz now i can take pins out and stuff
so go to a locksmith shop and ask for cylinders from there recycle bin or new ones if u want

[Uisgdlyast]

Hey thanks all for the quick reply. I decided to go with the KwikSet pad lock... So far I have gotten up to 3 pins... Although a problem I am having is I can pick it, but it feels more like luck then actual skill (I find the bound pin, and I kinda poke at it untill it feels unbinded)... Is this normal and will more practice help me ou twith whats going on?

I have this same problem, i put the pins in so they are all about the same height and i'll usually push up on the pins until it clicks and moves and then i just push up on the first pin.

So i want to know the same thing, will practice help and moving up on pins or should i really start to practice the feel of all the pins inside so i can locate them? its hard to tell if its binding or if you have the right pin(or any at all).