bent picks

[josephhkim]

I dont' know if its normal, but my picks are startign to bend, and so is my tension wrench. I think i might be treating them too roughly.

[digital_blue]

Don't feel bad because it is totally normal if you are still new to picking. It is also a sign that you are applying way to much tension, and thus having to use more force with your picks. Always try and remember that picking is a delicate act.


db

[josephhkim]

alright, i'll try and use less tension. Problem is i start to think that its too light and i might not even be using enough tension to turn the keyhole.

[Dent]

I just want to chime in here and actually warn against using too *little* pressure.

Before I started picking, I had read here on the forums and some guides, and they all said beginners use too much force.


Anyway, I had a whole bunch of problems when I finally started picking, because I would use so little tension that setting a pin would un-set another or that just moving up a pin would cause another to unset.


So I think the key is don't go too hard or too soft, play around with tension until you are holding just enough to keep set pins from dropping, but don't be afraid to put on more when your manipulating the pins to get them to feel "right.

[josephhkim]

Alright, thanks for the tip. (wrenches bending are a bad sign though.)

[vector40]

By the way, what I sometimes do once I feel like I'm nearing a full set is to pulse stronger tension after every time I manipulate a pin, then release to my normal amount -- just in case I've picked the thing, but my setting tension isn't enough to actually turn the plug. Sometimes it opens.

[josephhkim]

Oh, i see. But if u relax too much, u'll drop all the pins.

[vector40]

Yeah, you need to stay aware of that bottom end.

[raimundo]

picks do not bend from lifting pins, the bend when caught between irresistable force and immovable object. Bending picks is a sign of doing it all wrong. Its about allowing feedback and responding to that, not about wanting it to open and using force. really. I am one of those who believe that the amount of turning force used to open the lock with the key in it is how much you should use to pick it. I do not worry when a set pin falls back, it does that because it was set in the wrong sequence, and it was not its turn yet. but you guys do it your way, whatever works for you, ultimatly the locks teach you what works for you, even if it works differently for me.

[jason0]

I'm on the newer side. Some of my wrenches are bending a little, but mostly the small ones. I don't think it is NECESSARILY a sign of too much tension, I find some locks do need a lot of tension, especially to rotate the plug. The picks might not be a good sign though, but it is a recognized beginning error, i have read on here multiple times to start with a small set because you will break/bend them. My first picks, a diamond and hook I made, are pretty bent, but the tang is way smaller than the ones I purchased, so that might contribute.

[digital_blue]

I do not worry when a set pin falls back, it does that because it was set in the wrong sequence, and it was not its turn yet.

That's the ticket! For you newbies out there, read this line a few times. Thanks ray!

db

[omelet]

i bent my torquer by trying to turn a stiff plug after picking it...learnt my lesson

[monkeE]

What kind of torques are you guys using? Homemade with a twist in 'em? It definitely seems like way too much tension is applied if your torque is meeting an untimely death. I make my own tension wrenches out of spring steel, but after I anneal and bend it, I retemper to gun barrel blue. So far, I haven't lost a single torque. If you guys are making your own picks in the style of pyros video (propane torch till red and bend), I would encourage you to search online for a tempering tutorial. Using a blow torch to bend steel takes out all the temper, and makes the torque really really soft.

[maldotcom2]

Ive tried picking with flexable tension tools but i cant feel much at all, i much prefer a rigid peice of metal. Everyone seems to like the bendy ones that come with southord. etc. So i dunno.

[maty68]

I also used to bend my picks when i first started. I've learnt that with the right tension with the wrench then i need only barely touch some pins to set them. I ended up breaking two picks(broken off at the point where the narrow part of the shaft meets the wider part) . Only thing is, the ones i broke are both my half diamonds(small and large) and i miss them so much. Anyone got any ideas on repairing picks, please post.