New picker

[wallies]

I am a new picker (1 week) and already I have a newfound respect for lockpickers. I have a beginner pick set and 5-pin Kwikset deadbolt. So far, I have been unable to pick it. I read the MIT book as well as some other literature and I fully understand it. In practice I have a hard time visualizing what's going on inside the lock. I can't feel which pin I'm on exactly and I think I'm using too much tension and the key pins lock up too far but then I use to little and none of them set.

I would like to get a general idea of how long it took for you more experienced lock pickers to pick your first five-pin deadbolt. I have tried for hours, until my hands hurt so bad I have to stop.

[cha0s]

Im not an expert by any means (picked about 3 locks)...

My first lock was a filing cabinet.. Its very easy and took me about 5 minutes the first time. The second lock i just did the first time a few nights (5 pin) ago after about 2 weeks of trying so basically im saying stick with it, It seems discouraging at first when you try and try but cant get it but belive me. Its so unexpected when you finally get it and it just clicks over and around youll never want to stop picking... Good luck and have fun! Hit me up on MSN sometime.

[sublime progie]

I would suggest taking apart the kwickset and adding one pin at a time (starting at the front). That way you can get the feel for what pin you are on and what a set pin feels like etc.

Also try just feeling around the pins and counting them without using a tension wrench. That helped me. Do the exorsises in the MIT guide and that will help too.

[cracksman]

One important thing to consider is the quality of your practice. Randomly pushing down pins for an hour, once a day, will be a lot less helpful then 20 minutes a day of paying close attention to what you are doing. I would also highly recommend Sublime's advice about the Kwickset, it will teach you better tension, and how to recognize a pin when your on 1. It is very hard to give any kind of time tables on how long it will take to learn a basic 5 pin lock. I can tell you, however, that when you finally crack it, the feeling will make all your trouble worth it

good luck

[digital_blue]

To save myself from re-typing, you could have a read through this thread:

viewtopic.php?t=7767&highlight=pencil+marks

That may help you get the feel for which pin you are on. I also agree strongly with the idea of stripping down the lock to 1 or 2 pins and working your way up only when you've developed a consistent feel for the level you are on.

Hope this helps! Happy picking!

db

[Mad Mick]

This was unearthed from one of my previous posts, by Sublime Progie: (Thanks sub)

When I first started picking, sometimes, I'd just lay on the bed with the lights off and feel around in the lock (any lock) without applying tension.
Start by inserting the pick (try a half diamond, or hook) into the back of the lock, then slowly withdraw until the last pin is felt. Continue to withdraw the pick across the pins, but try not to move them up in the chambers...feel the pick rise and fall as it moves past the pins. Count the pins as the pick is withdrawn.

Next, again without tension, locate and gently lift each pin in turn. Feel the resistance from the pin springs.

Insert the tension wrench into the keyway (can be hard in the dark...a flashlight may help at first. Again, don't rely on a flashlight, as you are trying to develop your sense of feel) and apply very light tension...and hold steady. Insert the pick again, testing each pin in turn...if the tension is sufficient, one (or more) of the pins should offer a slightly increased resistance to that felt without the tension. If you are struggling to get the pin to move, reduce the tension slightly...if none of the pins offer resistance, increase the tension slightly.

Continue to apply the same constant tension and slowly push up the pin...as the divide between the upper & lower pins meet the shear line, feel the very slight movement upon the tension wrench, which is caused by the plug rotation, since the upper pin is no longer 'blocking' the shear line.

Release tension...you will hear a click as the pins reset. (you are not trying to open the lock at this point, you are trying to develop your sense of feel)

Repeat the setting of one pin, until you can pretty much predict when the plug will rotate, before it happens.

May help with finding the pins.

Good luck wallies.

[cracksman]

I was going to search for your post on that myself Mick You don't sleep with a lock under your pillow do you?, forget it I don't want to know

[Mad Mick]

You don't sleep with a lock...do you?, forget it I don't want to know.

Good Lord, No! Where is your mind young man??

Errm...sometimes...but only when I'm bored.

[sublime progie]

glad you put that post in mick. I was also going to re post it but honestly I was in a hurry........ ok I was lazy but it is some of the best help i had in a while (along with cracksmens advice to add a little tension with my spools to keep from resetting them) and it pulled me right out of my funk in a couple of nights.

Thanks again mick for that one

[wallies]

Thanks for all these suggestions - I will certainly try them. However, it seems like, at least in the beginning, it is pure luck that opens these locks.

I also have trouble, once I've set a pin and others behind it aren't set, of knocking the set ones out of place while trying to set the other ones. I have a steady hand, but jeez, you need to be a surgeon for this!

[wallies]

Whoa - just after writing that I tried again and did it! Just by going slowly and using a little tension, I was able to pick that five-pin deadbolt. I'm still not quite sure exactly what I did, but hooray!!!!

[Chrispy]

[cha0s]

Congrats its a great feeling isnt it?! Im now working on a master lock but my pick wont fit. Im gonna try and make something to fit inside. Let me know what direction you go with your locks

[digital_blue]

Whoa - just after writing that I tried again and did it! Just by going slowly and using a little tension, I was able to pick that five-pin deadbolt. I'm still not quite sure exactly what I did, but hooray!!!!

It just keeps getting better from here. Congrats!

db

[Santos718]

Whoa - just after writing that I tried again and did it! Just by going slowly and using a little tension, I was able to pick that five-pin deadbolt. I'm still not quite sure exactly what I did, but hooray!!!!

Thats how it usualy is the first time. No clue what you did...but keep at it and don't put it to the side until you can open it whenerever you want. Congrats.