What type,brand locks to start with?

[emu]

Ok well im pretty much totally new to lockpicking ive read the MIT guide and some other stuff so what do u guys suggest?

[Kayvon]

I'd pick up a cheap Kwikset (that's the brand name) or a Masterlock No. 3 (that's a padlock). Those are both easy starting locks that will give you an idea of what you need to do and allow you to practice different picking methods (raking, pin-by-pin, etc.).

I would not recommend starting on your home lock or any lock that is either (a) being used for anything at all or (b) does not belong to you.

[vector40]

I would personally recommend a Kwikset deadbolt hands-down. Padlocks can be a little weird.

[Romstar]

You want to look at cheaper type dead bolts and key in knob locksets.

It doesn't always go by brand, but mostly by cost. There are some exceptions to this rule.

In general, start with Weiser, Kwikset, Taymor, or even Schlage residential grade dead bolts. The Barricade brand by Yale is a good choice as it is well made, but does not contain any security pins.

You should obtain at least one key in knob style lock, and this should be of a slightly more expensive variety. Many of the very cheap models use plastic in their construction, and this will cause you some difficulty in learning how to feel the pins and the condition of the same.

I recomend that you take the time to mount these locks on a practice board, and they will provide you with much better feedback, and also allow you to learn in a situation where you will be able to have the full use of both your hands. Additionally, if you intend to ever take up locksmithing, you will find that the locks you pick will obviously be mounted. On the door you have been called out to open.

At least two padlocks should be purchased at some point so that you will know how to deal with them effectively.

I hope this helps,
Romstar

[patrick101]

Can you get kwikset deadbolts in the UK?

[emu]

what stores sell these locks?(US)

[master in training]

Can you get kwikset deadbolts in the UK?

not that i know of, get yourself a cheap Euro cylinder, these have 2 sets of 2pins in them because they have a plug either end so that you can lock the door from the inside using the keys as well.

look around local tips/dumps, in skips, ask UPVC window and door fitters, locksmith, anyone really for some old locks and you should get plenty cheap of free. if you want to buy one, look around local DIY type shops or markets, they normally have fairly cheap locks. screwfix has some cheap locks too.

what stores sell these locks?(US)

im from the UK not US, but places like Home Depot should have plenty and as with UK locks, look around local dumps and ask door fitters and locksmiths.
any hardware store should sell locks really, just look around your town and see what you can find.

For both of you though, avoid spending a fortune on a lock, if its your first and you've only just started picking odds are you'll end up destroying it and if you dont destroy it picking it, you can take it to bits and play about with it.

[emu]

thanks every for the help

[sawtenor]

Also, you should practice picking the most number of different brands of locks to improve yourself. Remember that more different locks you will be able to pick, more easily it will be to pick new locks.

Like it has been said in previous posts, begin cheap and progressively buy better locks. I personally think that it's the best way of improving yourself

[FSSARD]

Defenitly get a kwickset, the ability to change the pins around will greatly improve your skill, not to mention the price isn't bad either

[master in training]

Can you get kwikset deadbolts in the UK?

FSSARD, i dont think kwiksets are avaliable in the UK, so although they may be a good price, add shipping costs and its better to buy something else

patrick, i bought the cheapest lock i could find on ebay, it cost me about £3 including p+p and turned out to be the cheapest Euro cylinder screwfix sells, so i got it a few £'s cheaper, but its not a bad lock really, i think its a good progression to this from cheap padlocks because you can change the pins around and you get 2 locks in 1. another good one to get would be a yale type of lock, they're even easier to change the pins in and have one or two security pins that you can add back in later as you get better.

be sure to tell us how you're getting on!

[Elijah]

I always found it interesting to keep around a bunch of different types of locks, regardless of my ability to pick them. For example, I have some lever locks, pin tumbler locks, dimple locks, combination locks, wafer locks, rotating disc locks, etc. I always enjoyed taking these apart (especially the mortise type or lock in knob types) and putting them back together to better understand how they function. This is a lockpicking site, I know, but many beginner lockpickers don't know why the lock opens after the cylinder is turned (I'm talking about the cam locks and deadbolts here). I never completely understood something just from reading, especially when it comes to mechanical tasks. The ability to dissassemble these was invaluable to me.

-Elijah

[FSSARD]

master in training, ahh, sorry, heh, didn't relize they weren't available there

[master in training]

no problem

it would be good if they were avaliable here, they sound like a great beginners lock but to my knowledge you cant buy them in the UK at all. i may be wrong of course but since no-ones corrected me so far it seems im right

[patrick101]

Well i went to B&Q and picked up a euro cylinder. While I was walking to the check-out I noticed some padlocks, so I went over and noticed the main brand they had was Master. I thought it was only possible to get them in the US. Anyway having heard they were really good starter locks I decided to get the masterlock number 3 instead of the euro cylinder.

When I got home I started to try and pick it but I hit a problem. The plug was really loose from the hull. As a result of this it was really difficult to put any tension using the tension wrench on it.

Is this a fault with the lock or is it common?

Before I had got my Masterlock I was using a papaiz cr30 padlock. The plug in this was really nice and springlyand it sat snugly in the hull. I picked this four times but then I went on the papaiz website and found out there waere spool pins in it.

After I found this out I went off it for some reason.

Any help with the Master padlock would be appreciated.

Patrick101