Picking & Binding

[tons0phun]

I'm kinda beginning with lock picking, a "Hack" from what I know. No real reason for learning it other than the sake of being able to do it. Never know when it may come in handy. But right now it sucks because the only locks I have available to start out on are 5-pin locks. T-T

Anyways, I'm trying to get the driver pins to bind and I can get a few of them to bind, but then I get the the point where I'll be trying to get one pin to reach the sheer, but it doesn't bind.

I'm guessing that means I should try a different pin? With that whole binding-in-order stuff eh?

Also, can anybody give me some links that provide analysis of different types of tools, and locks? Thanks.

[digital_blue]

I'm guessing you have overset a pin stack by pushing the bottom pin past the shear line and getting it stuck there. Sometimes in this configuration nothing else will bind until you get that problem fixed. Release tension and go at it again.

db

[tons0phun]

Practice makes perfect eh? XD

[digital_blue]

You bet. In the mean time the practice is heaps of fun though.

[vector40]

I dunno about that. Practice without success can be pretty frustrating. Maybe if locks played Mario boss music or something.

[dry132]

Now THAT is a really good idea... mario boss music, in a lock, with it slowly speeding up as time passes...

[dry132]

I agree with DB. Usually if you can't get anything to bind, it means you've pushed a pin too far, past the shear point. About the worst thing you can do at this point is apply more torque until something does bind, then continue picking the lock. Sure you may get the other pins to set, but the one is still bound too high and the lock will never open.

I recommend slowly letting off the tension until the offending pin comes loose, and you might be able to save a couple of other set pins, depending on how lucky you are. A double-bound pin kind of makes a distinct "clack" instead of a faint "click" when it falls down, so listen for that, and be sure to probe around in the lock to figure out which one it is, and make a mental note not to push it so far next time!

Good luck.