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Amazing....first pick

Having read the FAQ's you are still unfulfilled and seek more enlightenment, so post your general lock picking questions here.
Forum rules
Do not post safe related questions in this sub forum! Post them in This Old Safe

The sub forum you are currently in is for asking Beginner Hobby Lock Picking questions only.

Amazing....first pick

Postby MRsteve » 8 Jan 2004 5:08

Thankyou one and all,
I found this site and was hooked, hooked enough to manufacture my first half diamond and allen key wrench...
It surely looked good(I have a trade background and good tools) but I had my doubts(certainty would have have come in a leather pouch :D )

Ok, off to the hardware store for a cheap padlock......

1 hour of picking(with breaks) and pop!!!

Got it down to 30 secs and less....Im astonished!!

I can see this becoming a v.enjoyable hobby and maybe even do it professionally some day.

Thanks again all

P.S For a minimal kit, what you guys call bare essentials? Half Diamond(Steep and soft angles) and maybe a snake type pick?
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Postby Grudge » 8 Jan 2004 10:51

Some people swear by diamonds, some people just swear at them :wink:

I prefer Euro hooks because they still work in large keyways but can manage smaller ones too. Unfortunately Southord doesn't sell their Euro picks individually :( .

So, if I had to stick with the standard Southord picks I would get one long and short hook picks (Southord SP-08, -09). For rakes, one snake and maybe one long jag (often seems to work when the snake won't do it) (Southord SP-10, -12). Don't overlook tension wrenches, you need more than one! Maybe a Southord Standard (TW-01) , Thin Line (TW-11) and Double Sided (looks like tweezers) TW-15.

So 2 picks, 2 rakes and 3 wrenches for a total of 7 tools. For a REALLY minimal kit, I would go with the SP-02 (a hook on one end, snake on the other) and TW-18 double ended tension wrench. Only 2 tools and 3 dollars.
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Postby Grudge » 8 Jan 2004 11:00

I forgot to mention that my last post wasn't meant to be a Southord advertisement, I just used them as a readily available reference for various pick styles. In fact, making your own tools is both great experience and adds to the hobby of lockpicking (IMHO).
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thks

Postby MRsteve » 8 Jan 2004 11:08

thanks for the recommendations ill have to find some photos to work from. And AGREED making em is a big part of the fun for me also.

Also I made my pick from MIT but they are oversize when printed,as are most, any knowledge of plans perhaps? I also used photos with rulers on but would rather be more exacting.

Thks again,

MRsteve
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Postby CitySpider » 8 Jan 2004 11:13

Grudge wrote:I prefer Euro hooks because they still work in large keyways but can manage smaller ones too. Unfortunately Southord doesn't sell their Euro picks individually :( .


Get. I've been assured that they'll start, as soon as they get around to updating their web site.

And as for my "minimum" lockpicking kit: one wrench, one short hook, and one rake, and the rake is debatable. Specific brands don't much matter, but if I get to pick, then an HPC TR-4, a Rytan blue diamond hook, and a Southern Ordnance sp-10.
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Postby Grudge » 8 Jan 2004 11:15

Thanks to Matt Blaze, a one stop shopping site for a great set of pictures is at:

http://www.crypto.com/photos/misc/picks/

All of the pictures are shot with a ruler and include both a small and larger version (just click on the small picture). Pick sets shown are from LAB, Rytan, Falle-Safe and others.

Enjoy :D
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THANKYOU V.MUCH

Postby MRsteve » 8 Jan 2004 11:39

Great reference, thankyou very much.
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Postby Grudge » 8 Jan 2004 11:53

CitySpider wrote: I've been assured that they'll start, as soon as they get around to updating their web site.


Good News! Thanks
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Postby CitySpider » 8 Jan 2004 12:17

CitySpider wrote:
Grudge wrote:Get. I've been assured that they'll start, as soon as they get around to updating their web site.


That first word should be "yet." Sorry about that.
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Postby Hawk2064 » 8 Jan 2004 17:41

Grudge wrote:Some people swear by diamonds


I think it is a great all around pick. Definitely a must have item in any kit.
Image
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Postby CitySpider » 8 Jan 2004 17:44

Hawk2064 wrote:I think it is a great all around pick. Definitely a must have item in any kit.


And, just because it's good to have opposing viewpoints, I think they're pretty much useless, and only own one because I haven't bothered to chop it off of my pocket set yet.
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Postby Pheniox » 8 Jan 2004 17:45

CitySpider wrote:
Hawk2064 wrote:I think it is a great all around pick. Definitely a must have item in any kit.


And, just because it's good to have opposing viewpoints, I think they're pretty much useless, and only own one because I haven't bothered to chop it off of my pocket set yet.


i have one, i just start with it and use it for a minute or 2. if it doesn't work, I use my good old hook.

still though, i think I swear at it more than i swear by it. would rather use a S rake most of the time than a half.
Image
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Postby Hawk2064 » 8 Jan 2004 17:48

Pheniox wrote:i have one, i just start with it and use it for a minute or 2. if it doesn't work, I use my good old hook.


Try raking the lock with the diamond, that works for me (i suck at just picking, better at raking).
Image
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Postby Pheniox » 8 Jan 2004 17:50

Hawk2064 wrote:
Pheniox wrote:i have one, i just start with it and use it for a minute or 2. if it doesn't work, I use my good old hook.


Try raking the lock with the diamond, that works for me (i suck at just picking, better at raking).
thats how i start, i rake till i get annoyed then I attack with a S snake, then hook

only thing I like about a half diamond is how easy you can feel the pins before you start.
Image
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Postby Hawk2064 » 8 Jan 2004 17:53

Yes feeling the pins is nice, but I'm still relatively new to picking so I try to get a lock with all the main picks, so I can truly "master" that lock.
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