Legal/techinque

[MudSlinger]

Hi, I have finally registered after enjoying this treasure trove of comedy and serious helpful information.

I write because I have hit a snag in my learning process. While visiting my local South summit self defense and home security center, I was very dissapointed after saving up my paychecks to fin out that people under the age of 21 are not allowed to purchase lock pick sets, I live in dallas texas and am wondering if that is just here or if it is like that everywhere.

somwhat related is the fact that All of the locks I have been able to pick since visiting this site, I have done so with a reasonably good hook pick which i made from filing down an old dentist pick. I dont have access to many electric tool(dremel/grinder/ect..) and cannot make other tools for a while. do any of you see a major problem in learning primarily with a snake pick using pin-at-a-time picking or is it important to get a feel for the whole range. I hope this post makes any sense and thanks alot.

[vector40]

Eventually you should certainly try everything, but if you're going to learn one way, single pin picking is probably the way to do it.

Any chance you could take a picture of that pick?

[MudSlinger]

Sure just let me break out the ancient floppy disk digital camera, and anythoughs about the under 21 law?

[vector40]

No, it's certainly not a national thing. If it's a law at all, it's a Texas one.

But even that might not be accurate. I'd check your state laws. Or it may have simply been a policy at the shop you went to. I doubt you'd have trouble ordering online.

[master in training]

not sure about this under 21 "law", but some shops may just refuse to serve you. you get 10% off at the sites sponsor shop http://www.lockpickshop.com if you enter lp101 as a coupon code, so you could order online and maybe save some money too

i look forward to seeing that pick!

[Ezer]

Shopping online you need to be either 18+ or have your parents permission, and if you're parents don't mind and you really want the pick set at that shop, you could just ask them to go buy it for you. Most likely though you'll find better selection and pricing online.

[MudSlinger]

Thanks alot, I have the pick but im not sure how to post it, or did u mean something else besides posting.

[master in training]

look in the FAQ's for information on how to post pics, theres a thread with instructions on it. basically you need to have somewhere to host your pictures like http://www.photobucket.com and then include the pictures address in a post with [ img ] [ /img ] tags around it.

[MudSlinger]

Here it is hope it works

It stores nicely in a pen and the torque wrench clips in the lid.

[MudSlinger]

AA battery is just for size refernce

[master in training]

hey, thats a really nice pick, good job!
sorry, but any chance of a closeup of the pick head? its not important if you cant be bothered though.

all in all a very nice tool though, well done!

[vector40]

Aye, looks good.

[MudSlinger]

Here ya go and thanks for the compliments my cameras is outdated putting it nicely, so sry for the quality.

[master in training]

that looks like a really good pick, well done.

dont worry about the camera, its far better than mine, all i have is my phone, it really is terrible.

how are you getting on picking with it?

[MudSlinger]

Well I had all of my friends scour their houses for any padlocks they no longer have use for and I have quite an assortment(6) I can pick most of them in 3 minutes or less unless i get lucky, One in particular is giving me trouble though, It is a thin-ish gold one made by Magnum. The plug is seemingly spring loaded which actually helps if im not mistaken, with adjusting the torque. It is giving me trouble partially cause the pick head may be a little to tall but also it has a strange design in the back of the plus which either snags my pick or makes it hard to feel whats going on, any hints? the rest are just different color Master no3. and a brinks master no3. knock off all fairly easy. it works on my "top of the line" kwik-set TITAN deadbolt, also for some reason my bck door quik-set dead bolt gives me trouble. i suspect a mushroom pin, according to the MIT guid because when I push on one particular pin when the lock seem like it should turn, it turns the plug back to the original position the farther I push it. Man this was a large post didnt realize til just now sry.