Abus Diskus to pick...

[XiNoN]

Hi guys, great work on this site...

I just got into picking (never picked a lock, this (i hope) will be my first one) and I now have a Abus Diskus No. 24 to pick. I don't have any good tools (to safety-pins (that's the exact translation from Dutch, not sure if it's correct) but they're rather the same as paper clips, only a little stronger. Here is a picture of the lock:


Is it possible to pick this lock with those tools? I tried for about an hour, but I can't get the pins to lock (if that's the correct word for getting them stuck one by one). I can get the pin no.1 down, but it doesn't matter how much pressure I put on the padlock, the pin doesn't get stuck. If I try some pins farther in the back, I can't even get them down properly...

What could be the problem? My tools (probably ) or my technique?

Thx a lot for helping...

[Ezer]

From your post, it sounds like you have a lot of reading to do. Picking is more about what you know than what's in your hands. Once you have a good long read throough the FAQs and the MIT guide, then think about ordering or making a good starter set of picks. There's plenty of posts that cover the what, where, and how of ordering or making your first pick set when you're ready.

[n2oah]

Read the MIT guide to picking a couple times, or maybe pick up a book about picking from B&N. That lock looks a little too advanced for a first attempt, maybe try a cheap padlock. Have fun and keep picking

[toomush2drink]

I have one of those diskus locks and it has spool pins so maybe start on something easier.

[vector40]

It's certainly pickable, but it's the wrong lock to start with, especially with makeshift tools. This is the sort of lock you'll often see on gates in nasty industrial districts -- tough and nasty.

[SFGOON]

First off, your written English is immaculate. If you hadn't said anything I would have thought you were British.

The ABUS dicus is the wrong place to start, especially with safety pins. You need to find a simpler lock, Kwikset is highly reccemended for beginners.

Get some decent tools to start. As your skill increase, you can move to improvised tools.

[MrB]

Someone should post the UK/European equivalent to Kwiksets, if there is one? Everyone knows Kwiksets as the classic beginner's lock, but they simply aren't sold in Europe.

[Shrub]

You are quite right,

In my opinion a standard Yale or Union is going to be the easist and probably the closest ones to a kwickset we have, some euro cylinders are very bad (easy) and a quick look around the euopean section will show these up.

[XiNoN]

I don't have any problems with writing or speaking English, as it is almost my second motherlanguage. I do the bilingual stream, so I speak English in 60% of my lessons at school (I'm 15 years old...).

Ok, from what I get of the facts you're telling me is that I should get a good read through the MIT guide (I already read it actually) and buy some decent tools or make them. Probably that is one of the first things to start with (obviously)...

Anyone knows some good quality, European and, of course, not too expensive picks that can be sent to me? As far as I know, there're no picklocking tool shops in Holland Or is there a good FAQ that explains how to make my own tools without all other expensive stuff (bunsen burners etc.)

Here is a picture of the lock in my house doors, is that a easier lock to start with?


As you can see I'm not a real expert in deciding which lock I'm dealing with. Also, the MIT guide didn't really brighten this up, as there are no real photographs of the locks...

But, I'm patient and willing to spend some time on getting decent picks and learning how to pick a lock faster than 2 days

[XiNoN]

I searched around a bit on Lockpickshop.com, and came across this:

http://www.lockpickshop.com/p-C500.html

It is the Slim Line Euro 5 piece set, and designed for Euro locks. Is this a good set to start with? It's got the four main lock pick designs and a tension tool... I'm just a hobbyist, and it has a nice price when converted to euro's

[Chucklz]

You should start with www.toool.nl These folks are a Dutch lockpicking sport group. They can really help you tremendously. For a European supplier of tools, www.multipick.de is recommended, if a bit expensive with VAT and all. Many people find SouthOrd picks to be a nice beginner set, but you may eventually want to make your own tools, or perhaps pick up something like this http://www.lockpicks.com/index.asp?Page ... ProdID=327
The LAB set is a little weaker than others, and requires a gentle touch. You are better off learning with the SouthOrds which are a bit stiffer.

http://nickz.homeunix.com/Lockpicking/Index.html hosts the famous PYRO video on making your own picks. Username lockpicking Password 101

[XiNoN]

Okay, thanks for the information. I'm looking through all of it right now. Only problem, where can I buy something from www.multipick.de? I have German at school and understand what the internet says, but I can't find a working link or something that works where I can buy the SouthOrds...

I hope I can use my bank account, because I'm too young for a credit card, and I'm not very rich. So a pick set of about $30 is acceptable...

I've looked around the website of Toool, but unfortunately Amsterdam is not in my neighbourhood, so joining their club is quite difficult. I'm just really interested in lockpicking, and can't wait to get my first lock opened...

[XiNoN]

I think www.multipick.de is closed because of maintenance, any other stores you know of that sell good picks to start with?

[XiNoN]

I searched at lockpicks.com and found this:
http://www.lockpicks.com/index.asp?Page ... tegory=277

There you can create your own kit by buying loose picks...

Which picks are recommended for a rookie?

http://www.lockpicks.com/index.asp?Page ... ProdID=237

That is a tension wrench, a small one, I think I need that for a Euro lock...

[XiNoN]

But, sorry for spamming the board , yet again you cannot pay in decent euro's... I'm too lazy to go to the post office to order by Postal Money Order (of which I'm not even sure is possible here)...