first attempt...failed!

[ultrafast]

So I attempted to pick my first lock last night after spending some time browsing thru some of the threads. Originally, I tried on an office upstairs (of someone I know) with a small screwdriver & a bobby pin. Spent about 15min & then realized I needed some more reading. So I read a bit more & realized I was definately overtorquing the lock.

To get some easier practice & to get a better "feel" for the lock I decided to just borrow (I like to think of it as stealing ) the lock off of the chemistry room down the hall. All of our labs use Best 1E series locks. So after removing the lock, I brought it back to my lab and after fumbling for a second I realized I needed better picks. So I broke off the end of some funky sunglasses to use as a tension wrench & grinded down a dentist-like pick. Ah-ha, with these it seemed like I was getting somewhere. I could hear & feel the pins setting in. At one point I was almost positive that they had all set. So back to the drawing board.

I read a little more & came across a link in the locks forum about these SFIC best locks. So apparently it can be tricky to pick this lock since some of the pins will set at the operating shear line & others at the control shear line...doh! So I tried a little more & finally came home very disgruntled. But a ray of light did shine upon me, albeit a small one. When I got home I decided to try a Cole padlock that I had lying around. Took me about 15-20 minutes but I got it! I was so excited.

I was IM'ing a friend when it happened & he seemed a bit skeptical, so I decided to shoot a quick vid to prove it to him (which I won't inlcude since it seems like they are overpopulated on this forum as it is, and besides it's a crumby pick on a crumby lock). Well, I turned on my camera, put in my tension wrench & put in my pick. Well, I got real lucky & the pins set within seconds, so that was cool. I actually shot another video after that showing how long it would take me if I didn't get lucky, which was only about a minute. So that was cool.

Anyway, sorry for the long post, I know the veterans here see posts like this all the time from giddy little noobies, but it made me happy. Also, I'm attaching a picture of my wrench & pick & also the locks I described.

[/img][/url]

[zeke79]

At lockpicking101 we like to think of "stealing" as unethical. I recommend you read the rules and not pick locks you do not own.

[Santos718]

At lockpicking101 we like to think of "stealing" as unethical. I recommend you read the rules and not pick locks you do not own.

you tell him zeke...

[ultrafast]

I understand your concern zeke, but I did read the rules. I thought that the way I stated it, it was understood that it actually wasn't stealing. I'm a grad student in those labs and for all practical purposes I can do whatever I want. In fact, my advisor came in the other day & say the lock & picks set up and then he just looked at me, smirked & said "good idea!" So I'm not doing anything illegal or that I would get in trouble for so I would say that I'm within the guidelines. I'm picking merely for the fun of it, not for any criminal intent.

>>> Lee <<<<

[biggar101]

but what if your pick or something broke inside the lock what would you do then or maybe you could not put the lock back on the door?

[ultrafast]

but what if your pick or something broke inside the lock what would you do then or maybe you could not put the lock back on the door?

Actually, I don't plan on putting that lock back on anytime soon. I guess I should have said that the lock never gets used since a couple different groups use this room, plus there isn't anything really important in there. In fact, we used to have a problem with it since it locked automatically & we were just using tape over the latch to ensure it never closed. But the tape kept falling off & so I was getting ready to fix it anyway & just got 2 birds with one stone.

I seriously do appreciate your concern guys, but I can assure you that I'm not sneaking around doing something bad. And by bad, I mean no one will get upset with what I'm doing (except my girlfriend, who doesn't want me staying up till 2am picking a stupid lock!). I'm sure most of the guys in the nearby labs consider me a rascal, but never question my morals. Just to reiterate my point, I told the guy in the lab next to ours what I was doing & he asked me to try on their lock. Of course, I still can't get those (the BEST 1E's), but he asked me to teach him how when I learned since he always locks himself out.

[yofu]

eh i wouldnt worry about it too much everyone, im sure ultra knows what hes doing.

[zeke79]

Explaining your situation is appreciated. I would still have to say that your advisor is not the owner of the lock. It is always best to purchase locks that will be kept to be used for picking. That way if you happen to fubar the lock you are not out anything except for a practice lock.

[cracksman]

First off, I'd like to say welcome ultrafast Congrats on your first pick, it's a great feeling. As you can see, we are a bit touchy when it comes to ethics on this site. I'm not going to argue the right or wrong here, just keep in mind those best locks aren't cheap They are also probably not the best lock to learn on. Try to get a hold of an inexpensive deadbolt to start with (Kwikset is good) and work your way up.

p.s. nice work on improvising pick and wrench

[Chrispy]

Everything that's needed to be said has been said.

"Don't steal.... picks locks you don't own..... picks locks that are in use.... ethics..... etc."

So, welcome.

[ultrafast]

I understand the ethical concerns here & I will admit that it was wrong to take the lock without considering that I could damage it. And I don't blame any of you guys for jumping on my case. I realize you probably get some teenagers trying to break into their parents liquor cabinet and you don't want to aid in that sort of pick. This must be a more difficult hobby to be in than most, due to the general public's view on lock-pickers as criminal (i'm just postulating). So you guys (and me once I become an advanced picker) have to be hard on the new guys.

One final note (and I hate to say this, since it's already been said that everything's been said): After I thought about it, it seems like there's probably a very low percentage of guys that come to this forum with criminal intent. It would seem like most criminals wouldn't want to take the time to learn about the intricacies of lock-picking. I mean, it seems like the whole point of breaking in & stealing property is to get it the easy way. They don't want to take the time to earn the property so why would they take the time to learn (about lock-picking). Sorry for the blah, but I thought I might express what I thought was a subtle point on this ethics debate.

>>> Lee <<<<

[SFGOON]

So what exactly are you studying anyway? I got my Bachelor's in nuclear security and my profs would have crapped thier pants if I had had a set near the reactor....

[Chrispy]

And I don't blame any of you guys for jumping on my case. I realize you probably get some teenagers trying to break into their parents liquor cabinet

Lol, that and drink machines.

[cracksman]

Just think of all the things you have had locked or may need to lock in the future. Then think that someone has been accessing that without detection, ...



wondering why you spent all that money on a chastity belt for your girlfriend now?

[Chrispy]

Just think of all the things you have had locked or may need to lock in the future. Then think that someone has been accessing that without detection, ...



wondering why you spent all that money on a chastity belt for your girlfriend now?