This is pretty much a suggestion for newcommers.

[sublime progie]

hi i am pretty new myself at picking about 2 weeks. i have just seen the suggestion a couple of times to but a lock and remove a few pins. i hve recently tried this i bought a cheap 11 dollar kwickset deadbolt. unfortunately even though i had read it happening all the time and knew how to prevent it i bound the springs in and messed up two of them so at max i can only add three pins now it is still extreamly helpful. i started with one then added until 3 then switched those around.

anyways after i was done i picked up a lock i had been having trouble with and i could feel the pins a ton better. if you are even semi serious about the hobby it is definately worth the money i was not very thourough in explaining how to do it but the elder members in the group have done a great job at this in other topic lists

[pun1sher]

ummm...use punctuation plz

[cracksman]

I agree sublime, just a couple things to add:
1. Buy your deadbolts with 2 keyways-not the handle-it is slightly more but if you lose a spring or 2 You will also be able to create more pin combinations.
2. Using 2 or 3 pins is also very helpful in getting the feel for security pins.
3. Standard Kwiksets can be picked with the cheapest Southord 5 pick set and can provide a great deal of practice.
4. When your Kwikset gets too easy, move up to a Schlage or something in that line.