Some noobie questions

by **cha0s** » 10 Jul 2005 22:44

Hey guys, this is my first post so ill quickly introduce myself. Im Drew from NY. I have recently found an interest in Lock picking. I have tried to pick several locks (pad locks) but have been unsuccessful. Probably due to using a bent paperclip and a pocketknife for a tension wrench. Ive done some research and know the basic workings of pin and tumbler locks and have found a few e-books on the forums.

I do however have a few questions now that thats out of the way.

Ive considered using the metal piece off a pen for a tension wrench.. Im going to try this tomorrow or later tonight whenever i find one suitable.

Thanks guys, i hope we become better friends and we can learn together.

-Drew

by **Grudge** » 10 Jul 2005 23:58

Hey Drew, my first lock 'pick' was actually a rake. It just took probably 10-15 minutes to get a lock to open. To really *pick* a lock took about a day for me (didn't understand that 'tension' and 'pin setting' thing very well, several MIT guide re-reads finally helped :oops:

), AND I had some real tools. You probably already realize this but a bend paper clip is a really lousy. I would only use one as a rake, but only in an emergency and then only on a simple wafer lock. I haven't used a pocket knife as a tension wrench, but even the smallest blade I can image would be really big and block the keyway. My recommendation would be for you to purchase a small set of basic tools (maybe a cheap 5 or 9 piece Southord set, I like the Slim Lines). I know the 'make your own' folks are probably warming up their flame throwers, but to learn to pick and to learn how to make picks, I think it helps to have a set already (IMHO).

You can open locks using things found around the house, but techniques like this work best on the simplest locks, like desk & filing cabinet wafers. If you would like to see it in action, check out this video (it even shows using a pen clip as a tension wrench):
http://analoghacking.com/documents/OverheadBinPicking2C.wmv

So, get some decent tools (made or purchased), get a practice lock (don't use a lock you depend on each day, like your front door, and make sure you always have permission to pick a lock before you start), read the MIT guide & LP101 and (finally) practice, practice, practice. Good luck and welcome to LP101!

by **cha0s** » 11 Jul 2005 0:08

Ya, i had a few old padlocks laying around the house. The only one big enough to work with must be off the door to fort knox cus i think it would require dynomite to damage this thing.

Anyway a friend of mine and i talked about splitting a 20-30 piece set and dividing the tools... Im assuming a set that large comes with a few of each tool (prob. different sizes though)

Also i have seen things on e-bay that are a lock cylander in glass so you can see what your doing. They go for about $30.. Would this be a wise investment or should i just stick with normal locks.

I planned to run over to Wal*Mart to buy a few locks. I read the post on how to buy practice locks and have a good idea of what to get.

Thanks for the reply.

-Drew

by **biggar101** » 11 Jul 2005 0:08

How long did it take yo to pick your first lock? well with my picks in takes me about 1-4 seconds for this lock i have but when i didnt it might of taken me about 10-20 mins allways missing 1 or 2 pins :twisted:

How far will i get (if anywhere) with my Paperclip and Pocketknife... well my first picks where a paperclip and some tweezers i used to put the tweezers in the plug and then pick the lock with my paperclip allways missing about 2 pins and then trying to turn the plug

Buy or make tools?

well i bought my picks off www.lockpickshop.com awsome shop :wink:

for about 5 picks and 2 tention tools for 22.30 cdn or about like 15 us and shipping was only about 7 bucks and it took like 5 days. they have some awsome service like my pick broke when i got it (found it broken in box) and then i emailed them and they sent me out a new one. and you get like a discount if you are a member of this website

by **wtf|pickproof?** » 11 Jul 2005 3:34

cha0s wrote:How long did it take yo to pick your first lock?

about 3-5 minutes for the first waferlock and another 10-20 minutes for my first 5 pin tumbler.

How far will i get (if anywhere) with my Paperclip and Pocketknife...

nowhere, .... OK, nowhere is a bit harsh. Almoust nowhere. It needs lots of skill and a good understanding of lockpicking, the amount of tension and pressure needet,... Definitly not what you want to start with.

Buy or make tools?

This depends on your skill, the tools available, if you like to make your tools,...
Later on you might find there are picks you won't be sold unless you are a locksmith. (FALLE safe,...) If you want some of those you'll have to make them yourself.

In general I'd say go with bought picks unless:

If make, out of what? Ive seen hacksaw blades but i dont have a dremel and i figure if im going to buy a dremel for $50 whynot invest in some premade stronger tools...

Picks are mostly made from:

http://www.lockpicking101.com/viewtopic.php?t=7006

http://www.lockpicking101.com/viewtopic.php?t=2867&start=0

For tension wrenches wiperinlays work best for me.

A set of files will work fine for pickmaking. (I'd go with junior hacksaw blades for the picks)

There many examples of DIY picksets in this forums, and IMHO many of them are at least as good as bought ones. Just have a look and you will find a lot of inspirations. There are some good tutorials for pickmaking too.

have fun,

wtf|pickproof?

by **Grudge** » 11 Jul 2005 6:04

cha0s wrote:Anyway a friend of mine and i talked about splitting a 20-30 piece set and dividing the tools... Im assuming a set that large comes with a few of each tool (prob. different sizes though)

Also i have seen things on e-bay that are a lock cylander in glass so you can see what your doing. They go for about $30.. Would this be a wise investment or should i just stick with normal locks.
-Drew

With Southord, the big sets often contain repeats of picks (good for sharing) BUT that vary by the handle. They refer to the decent, triple thickness ones as "with handles", so if they don't mention that, the width of the handle is the same as the width of the pick head (which ain't much and is literally 'a pain') They do have some so-so plastic slip-ons to cover the 'handle-less' ones, but then they are too bulky for the case and they don't have the same feedback to your hand :-(

.

A problem MAY arise if both you and your friend end up liking the same pick as their main tool and one gets stuck with the 'handle-less' copy. Most pickers settle on about 2-3 favorites from a large collection for 95% of their picking.

On the cut-away on eBay, I didn't have one when I first started and it would have been a great help. That being said, however, they become nearly worthless very quickly since once you understand the mechanics, you have to learn to work blind to open real locks. IF you get one, I would skip the fancy plastic case to save money, and just get the core (you can put it in a vice) and share that cost with your friend.

Just my 2 cents.

by **cha0s** » 11 Jul 2005 8:34

Thank you guys, I have checked e-bay for tools too but they dont seem to turn up much anymore. I just finished a torrent about lockpicking with some decent movies and about 7 e-books. Ill list them here if anyone wants some of them too and i can send them to you for host it on rapidshare.

by **cha0s** » 11 Jul 2005 8:46

What my future set might look like.. Comments and suggestions welcome

http://www.lockpicks.com/index.asp?Page ... ProdID=209

http://www.lockpicks.com/index.asp?Page ... ProdID=208

http://www.lockpicks.com/index.asp?Page ... ProdID=214

http://www.lockpicks.com/index.asp?Page ... ProdID=235

http://www.lockpicks.com/index.asp?Page ... ProdID=236

Seems cheap to me for all that..

by **wtf|pickproof?** » 11 Jul 2005 9:49

cha0s wrote:1.) Wishbone Tension Wrench ( 1 x US$3.40 )

Details: Wishbone Tension Wrench

2.) Double-Ended Tension Wrench ( 1 x US$1.40 )

Details: Double-Ended Tension Wrench

I'd make the trension wrenches from wiper inlays. They work really well and you will need more than one tension wrench anyway(to fit various keyways)

This gives you another US$4,80 to spend on picks :wink:

3.) Long Hook Pick (Plus) ( 1 x US$3.90 )

Details: Long Hook Pick w/ Reenforced Handle

Disclaimer: I don't own a long hook like this so everything I say is based on guessing. Anyone with a long hook pls. correct me if I'm wrong.

This pick looks like it would only work in locks with open keyways and will only help you if the lock has a hi / low pinning.

I'd suggest to replace it with a large and/or a medium halfdiamond.

4.) Short Hook (Plus) ( 1 x US$3.90 )

Details: Short Hook Pick with Reeforced Handle

I'm pretty sure you'll love this one.

5.) Snake Rake Pick (Plus) ( 1 x US$3.90 )

Details: Snake Rake Pick w/ Reenforced Handle

The snake rake is an alltime classic which noone should miss :wink:

just my 0,02 â‚¬

wtf|pickproof?

by **Grudge** » 11 Jul 2005 10:09

I agree with wtf|pickproof, very nice choices. In defense of the long hook, it is just a 'sometime' pick, but when you need it, you need it. A lot of folks like diamond picks (in fact there is kinda 'diamond' vs 'hook' camps), so if you could afford another couple bucks, get the diamond and long hook. That way you can try out both kinds.

Making/buying a few more tension wrenches is also a good idea since you will find you need several (you have to match the wrench to the lock, just like the pick). I like to taper the end of mine slightly so they can match a wider variety of keyways, but that can only get you so far.

eBay doesn't allow the sale of lock picks (although some slip through and some get posted but canceled). Not a problem, however, since there are tons on places to buy (lockpicks.com is good, I am a customer).

If you look around LP101 I think you will find links to all of those resources, and probably a few more. This place is just full of stuff (some of it actually useful ;-)

). Good luck and happy picking

Some noobie questions

Some noobie questions

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