New to lock picking

[Greatbob]

Hi Im new to the wholew thing and have been reading up on this.


Any tips or tricks from you guys?

thanks

[mcm757207]

Yeah, I can give you a few pointers.

1) Newbies tend to apply too little tension, when pressing on the tension wrench it should to the point of *almost* bending the wrench.

2) Always ALWAYS start from the back of the lock, and work your way forward. Newbies tend to look for binding pins and go with them first, but this is incorrect.

3) The best place to buy picks are in "Spy shops" if you can find them, they are shops that sell things like spy 'gadgets,' telephone taps, etc. Their lockpick prices are often much better than those online.

4) Start with brands like American (padlocks) and medeco, they run a little more expensive because they have hardened metal inserts to thwart physical brute force attacks like drilling but are easier to pick because they have a higher machining tollerance.

Also I highly recommend searching and reading through the forums, and also always double check the information that you read, because one person could be completely wrong in what s/he says.

[master in training]

or just lying eh mcm

search the forum, you should read all the stickies and FAQ's, that will answer your questions and avoid you getting flamed.

[barnzy]

Yeah, MCM has got it in one, just read through the forums and you will get along fine, its all you need (not all you need, you will need a lock, some lock picks and a tension wrench ofcourse )

[Greatbob]

mcm151201



Are you sure that is true


I may be wrong or something but in the books I read it said to apply as little tension as possible, to look for binding pins.


And also, more expensive usualy equals more precise








now I am confused this much :
| |

[Greatbob]

Also, Are there any good places to buy picks, etc


and where are the faqs and guides? I searched for them and got squat

[pinky]

Read the threads , search the site for whart interests you, welcome and enjoy the site.

[digital_blue]

Greatbob: You are wise enough to recognize bunk when it's presented to you. Good job. You see, mcm has been around here for a long time and has seen many many newbies come and go and many of them have asked questions without taking the time to research the information first. Now, this may not seem like a big deal to said newbie at the time, you can imagine that having the same questions asked repeatedly for months on end can get a little... oh... say... boring.

So, to the amusement of many participants here, mcm has taken to giving false information out. Normally it is wrapped up in so much bunk that only the extremely naive would possible swallow any of it. This time it is just misleading enough to be believable to someone without adequate knowledge. Don't take it personally, as I'm sure it was not meant personally. It was merely to inspire a chuckle from the more veteran members here.

Fortunately, you've read enough to pick up on the fact that everything shy of the advice to read stuff is all inaccurate.

As for any practical advice, I would join in the chorus with everyone else and say.. read read read. And practice practice practice.

Happy picking!

db

[master in training]

if you cant find the FAQ's (good to see you've been searching by the way, keep it up!), click one of the many links at the top of the page taking you to http://www.lockpicking101.com, (or you could click that one;)) then the first topic should be the FAQ's, take a while to wade though that lot and anything else is recommends you read like the MIT guide and you'll be well on your way to being one of the really good veterans here

keep up the good work!

~ Master in Training ~

[Greatbob]

Thanks for all your help, and dont worry I didnt take it personally, I would probably do the same thing

YET ANOTHER QUESTION!!! for all you seasoned lock pickers:

http://www.lockpickshop.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?


Is that a good pick set?


Will it be good in California?

[rayman452]

I love MCM's replies, keep it up. I may just create another account to have him answer my questions in that way. Awesome!!!!!

[digital_blue]

That is a really great pick set but unfortunately it will not work well for you in California if you are near the coast. They are stainless steel with an iodized nickel plating and the sea air does a real number on the finish. The resulting corrosion is quite toxic so I would stay well away from them.

... Hey look, I can do it too! ...

Anyway, if it's the 14 pc set you're referring to that's probably a good place to start. I am of the opinion that you should buy the best set that you can reasonably afford. If the item in question is not on sale then you get a 10% discount from http://www.lockpickshop.com for being a member of this site. Use the coupon code LP101.

Cheers!

db

[Greatbob]

can I get it shiped via usps or do i need to pay the 16 bucks for ups?

[digital_blue]

I think that question would better directed to the fine folks at lockpickshop.com, no? So long as you do not order auto jigglers, I am pretty sure that you can have the item(s) shipped USPS. If you wait until regular business hours they have the Live Chat thing set up on the site where you can actually speak to a staffer at LPS. Very cool. Give it a try.

db

[pyrodude145]

Hey man, welcome to LP101, I'm a not an expert but if u got any q's Email me or something. I'd be more than happy to help you out with anytihng. Congrats and Good Luck