Knowing which pin you are on

[zoombie]

Hello there,
I try picking before but i couldnt pick it the main reason being that i dont really know where the pins are...
Basically, i can pick the first one or two pin at the very front but when i insert my pick deeper into the key hole i have no idea where the pins are...
Any tips to getting around this ?

[digital_blue]

Well, the only real answer is that you will develop this skill in time. There are no short cuts. Now let me teach you a short cut....

Take the key for the lock and lay your pick across the key so the tip of the pick is lined up with the position of the last pin (pin 5 on a standard 5 pin lock). Then use a pencil to draw a vertical line on the pick in line with the shoulder of the key. At this point, you will now be easily able to figure out where the last pin is by sliding the pick in until you see your pencil mark line up with the front of the plug. You can do the same thing with each of the other pin positions by lining up the tip of the pick with that pin position on the key and making the appropriate mark on the pick at the shoulder position.

You will end up with a pick that has as many pencil lines as pins you have in the lock and you will be able to use this as a guide to know when you are right underneath a pin. While you pick, pay attention to what it feels like to be under a pin, versus in between them. In time you will not need the pencil marks at all, and they wipe off quite nicely.

Hope this helps. Happy picking!

db

[pip]

good tip there dp

maybe someone should start a new catagory

newbie tips

db's can lead the way...

[digital_blue]

Yeah, we have one. It's called the FAQ. We can't seem to get the newbies to read that, how in heck would be get them to read another thread. You've been a great exception pip. I don't remember any n00b questions from you. Good on ya! And zoombie, your question was a good one. It was reasonable, and it was not something you could have found in 3 seconds by reading the FAQs.

db

[sonic]

I also being new to this found your response to be quite helpful.

I spent an entire day here reading as a guest before I joined. I had not seen that simple of an explination anywhere in my reading.

Thanks for the tip.

(I mod and admin at some other non picking related sites. We encourage people to thank folks for good advise. What is good for the goose is good for the gander!)

[Sabin37]

I used this method when I first started picking. The biggest thing it helped me with was making sure I didn't insert the pick too far in the lock. When I put the marks on my pick, I used permanent marker because it's a lot easier to see and it still rubbed off.

[raimundo]

You can count the pins by lifting them all up and pulling the straight blade lifter out slowly and counting them as you hear the springs snap them down when the straight blade is pulled out. about Digital Blues pencil marks, if you have something made of aluminum, perhaps a type of roofing nail or whatever, aluminum will write on steel just like a pencil, and may be able to last longer, just try it and see. Do not be fooled by putting the straight blade in through the end of the plug and making it drop off some part beyond the pins, if this happens, you should be able to see that it is something different from the pins by the way it drops, pins have pointed tips, so they will slip down a bit before they snap loose. Try it and if you have the key, that will have the information to confirm the whole thing, length, number of pins etc.

[lockedin]

Then use a pencil to draw a vertical line on the pick in line with the shoulder of the key.

This is great. First time I've heard of that and I've been picking for over a year. I wish someone had taught me that when I first started.

[Chrispy]

I'm with raimundo. Using a reader pick (or even a round or half-round feeler) to lift the pins and hear them click. As rai said, put your pick all the way into the lock and lift while slowly withdrawing the pick. Hearing and counting the clicks is a good way to find out: a) what type of lock it is (5 pin, 6 pin, etc.), b) how hard the springs are, and c) where the pins are.

The reason this is probably the best way to do it (although the pencil marks are a good idea) is because you can't always put pencil marks on locks, especially deadbolts, door cylinders, etc. but you can always listen for the clicks. Meh, my two cents.....

[Disgustipatedatu]

A way to become more adaept at this is to run the pick over the pins when the lock is unlocked...less movement better feed back. Once you get use to this you can use it to count the number of pins in an unknown lock that doesnt have a key.....Or not

[pun1sher]

that idea by db really orks, i just tied it. thx!

[capt.dunc]

i learnt by always counting from the front. after a couple of locks you tend to have a much better feel for this type of thing.
i'm pleased i learnt this way since you can use the same skill on lever locks and when they're mounted in a door you need to use this since depth marks will vary depending on type, thickness, and number of levers, as well as position of bolt, thickness of case, and depth it's set in the door. but still a nice tip for pin cylinders.