Picking Techniques <details please>

[Xler]

Could someone please post their personal picking techneques for racking and single pin picking in alot of detail. Please do not copy from a guide such as the MIT guide to lockpicking. That hasn't helped me at all. I can pick cheap desk locks easily... But I can't pick anything else at all.

[Luke]

O.K this is my all round techneque, i use a rake and the tension wrench.
I first find the direction to turn the lock (usually clock wise) and then insert the tension wrench, then the pick.

I apply tension to the wrench (u will know when u have the right amount but for me its automatic) then push the rake up and wriggle it, not to bend it , just up and down gently, but with SLIGHT force. just keep doin that then if the lock hasn't opened keep tension on the wrench, move the rake slightly towards u and push it up again, Ussually i miss some of the front pins... Donno y. But ne way, i always thought after reading mauals, they're alright but BS. Just make ur own. This may not suit u but it worx for me. I can open a padlock i have in 2 seconds, and another rectangular pin tumblur lock in 5 secs, takes practice. AND MAKE SURE UR NOT APPLYING THE TENSION TO THE WRENCH THE WRONG (TURNING IT THE WRONG WAY) LOL I DID IT FOR A WEEK ON ONE LOCK AND WHEN I APPLYING TENSION THE RIGHT WAY, IT POPPED OPEN!!

[NewEngima]

Heres a little bit of theory for you:
Scrubbing is when you get a rake (S or snake rake is best I have heard) and put it in and add a little tension from the tension wrench and drag out the rake pushing the pins up, doing this repetative times and adding a little more tension if any pins lift each time will open the lock thru a scrubbing method. the MIT guide will go into more detail than this, it is reccomended that you read this http://www.gregmiller.net/locks/mitguide/chapter6.html will give you more of an insight than I can give.

[Luke]

Heres a little idea for u...
U dont nessessarily need to scrub with a rake, i use the C rake and i bouce the pins fairly quickly and amazingly the lock opens, oh yeh when trying this methode dont bend the picks. Always hold ur picks like a pencil or kinda like a pencil.

[fyrwurxx]

Being a 3-day newbie to lockpicking, I've only been successfull at picking one lock (but I've only tried 3). The lock I picked was a ~$10 Kwikset 5-pin tumbler, with a small flathead screwdriver as a torque wrench and a very fine micro-driver as a pick (I was successful once with a heavy paperclip, but it kept bending). Using the micro-driver, I successfully picked the lock about 7 times.

My technique wasn't really refined. I inserted my screwdriver, and applied moderate tension. I inserted my pick all the way, then pushed all the pins down simultaneously until I felt/heard a few of them set. After this, I slowly moved my pick out of the lock, gently pushing down each pin (even the set ones, just to be sure). As more pins set, I gradually applied more tension. Some pins were false setting so I had to start over again and vary my technique. Within about 10 minutes of doing this, I was in.

A lot of your success relies on sheer luck. Right now, I've been trying the lock for several hours and I can't seem to get it. One time, it took me about 45 seconds. The lesson is, don't get discouraged if you can't get a lock open right away. keep trying and varying your technique and tools, and eventually you'll get it right.

[Xler]

My technique wasn't really refined. I inserted my screwdriver, and applied moderate tension. I inserted my pick all the way, then pushed all the pins down simultaneously until I felt/heard a few of them set. After this, I slowly moved my pick out of the lock, gently pushing down each pin (even the set ones, just to be sure).

You should never do this because it is possible to set the pins too high and the lock, then, will not open.

[tutor34]

I put the pick in first (to avoid pressure on the pick), find the last pin, then add light tension. Then using your wrist to "rake" the pick out, hold the tension in the same place all the while putting the pick back in to the back pin. repeat 5-6 times. Then let off the tension SLIGHTLY, listen for any 1 pin to fall and repeat the raking process without letting the tension off. I find that letting 1 to 2 pins fall every 5-6 strokes with the rake usually helps the pins to fall in place. I'm proficent at some of the higher security locks such as 6-7 pin BEST.
There is no easy method to picking, it all depends on how the lock was pinned and how much you practice. Also, sometimes you can pick in one direction easier than the other. Try both ways too. You should obtain a plug spinner (tool to spin the plug in the other direction when it cant be picked that way). I found that a "uniball" pen clip bent 90 degrees was a very good tension, and a diaper pin for picking works well too. Cheers.

[DrDave]

He pretty much says it all. I've been able to open Security-2 level locks (6-7 pins) in a matter of minutes, but I have TWO (2) ~$3.00 Brass padlocks keyed in such a way it can take me 10 (+) minutes to open while using standard picks.

I have the Computer-Designed pick-set (32 sides for slow-raking), and have "Custom made" about 20 other picks that cover almost EVERY pin-set in 5-7 pin locks. By using these tools it can still take a long time to find the right pick. Link:
http://www.lockpicks.com/product.asp?3=32

As far as the original subject to this thread; I First put the pick into the lock. I use a medium hook, pull it out and count the number of tumblers. Next I place the tension tool, generally on the bottom (opposite side of the tumblers), and place EXTREMELY light tension on the lock while pulling the hook out medium-fast. Sometimes, depending on the lock, it pops open. If, after doing this 2-3 times, and the lock does not open I release tension and count the "Clicks" as the set pins drop.

The next step is to pull-out the electric Pick-Gun, and try it for about one or two minutes. If after 7-12 tries the lock is still not open, I put away the Pick-Gun. Now I pull out a VERY thin and long "Peterson" hook and try Pin-By-Pin. Links for this tool:
http://www.lockpicks.com/product.asp?0=204&1=224&3=256
Second to last tool. or:
http://www.crypto.com/photos/misc/picks ... -misc.html
Third tool down.

At this point I have been picking for about 15-20 Minutes and the lock has been picked. If, after all this the lock is still not open, I'll try the "High-Tech" Picks for another 5-10 minutes.

If, after all that fails, I'll drill the lock.

DrDave-USA
DrDave

[cenhfan]

AND MAKE SURE UR NOT APPLYING THE TENSION TO THE WRENCH THE WRONG (TURNING IT THE WRONG WAY) LOL I DID IT FOR A WEEK ON ONE LOCK AND WHEN I APPLYING TENSION THE RIGHT WAY, IT POPPED OPEN!!

Hey, it may sound stupid but I did the same thing various times. When I'm picking my practice lock the wrong way, the pins are not setting and it usually takes a while before I realize that maybe I'm applying tension in the wrong direction. If I forgot how I picked the lock the last time (clockwise or c-clockwise) how do I know which way to turn? Is there also an easy way to 'feel' which way you should turn when you have a new lock?
Greetings,
Timo

[puck]

Before picking, try applying tension in both directions. If you apply it the right way, the stop should feel slightly soft, since you're being stoppedy by the pins. If it feels really solid the other way, that's the wrong way, since it's just being stopped dead.