Locks changing binding order

[DanArgent]

Ok a little background. I am a total begginer. I have read just about everything that I can get my hands on online to get started, inculding the MIT guide and greg miller's guide. I bought a kwikset 5 pin deadbolt. I started with one pin, then moved to 2 and now I'm on three. My average time on three pins is about 30 sec. I am also only using a nail that I hammered flat and bent in a vice for a tension rench and a piece of a safety pin as a pick. Hopefuly my southord 14 piece set will arive today.

Ok so here is my question. When I first added the 3rd pin the order that the pins would set in was #2 then #3 then #1. Then there was a period today when it started taking me 4 or 5 minuts to pick because it was super hard to slip my 'pick' underneith the 3rd pin. Now it is easier to get undernieth the 3rd pin but the order in which the pins bind has changed to 2,1,3. Is it usual for a lock to change the order in which the pins bind after taking stresses and getting beat-up a bit? I think that since we are talking about mechanical defects in the hundreths to thousandths of inches just a little bit of stress could reshape the metal just enough to change it. Am I right?

[frostbyte]

It could also be a deformity in a pin that makes it oval instead of round. the pin rotating could change the pin set order.

[Al]

The pins will not be PERFECTLY round so if they rotate a little that could change the order. Plus as you suggest, your tension and lifting could alter things. Dirt and the position of your wrench can affect picking too.

[Al]

Doh, too slow typing!

[DanArgent]

Thanks guys. I will keep this in mind for future locks. previously I was under the impression that once you knew the set order for a particular lock you could pick it again much easier.

Well I have been picking for less than 24 hours now and the 3 pins on the kwikset are getting pretty easy. I'm going to stop for a bit though because the tips of fingers are turning purple and have nasty blisters on them from the extreamly small safty pin. I have been picking for about 6 hours straight now.

[Guesss]

Ya might want to wait for your picks to come Blisters don't hlep you pick well.. but i guess you seem to have the dedication. Once you have the picks i think you will pick better ten fold. they helped me out tons.

And thanx to the two that donated homemade picks to me. i wouldn't be picking with out you.