first picks, first lock

by **TraceBeau** » 17 Sep 2005 1:49

Hello everyone. I've always been seriously interested in locksmithing/picking but never really put in the effort to find a good source of info to get me started - till now. So after Lurking around the boards studying for a few weeks, I thought I'd register and start posting. I went the route most people did and made my own set of picks, a long hook, short hook, and a small half-diamond. Oh yea, a double end tension wrench too. I used various size jigsaw blades for the picks and the strip out of a windshield wiper for the tensioner. as you can see in the photo the pics came out small enough to fit into an exacto knife handle. I raked on a master no 27 padlock with my half diamond for about 5 minutes and was able to open it, and since it is a re-keyable lock I took out the cylinder and removed all the pins except one. Of course that was waaay easy so I am practicing with 4 pins, and when I can do that with my eyes closed I'll put the 5th pin back in and start practicing some more. the main reason I wanted to post was to let the new people know that if I can do this, you can too. all you need is a little mechanical inclination and some patience. Oh, and some tools and the good info all over this board will help too

by **Chrispy** » 17 Sep 2005 1:52

Nice, welcome to LP101.

by **sivlogkart** » 17 Sep 2005 3:48

Welcome from me too! It is a great site for starter information and wish it had been around when I started in the beginning of time before email and the web existed! It is a bit worrying though just how easy it is to learn the very basics of lockpicking and how many locks that are around protecting very valuable things can be opened. Try some of the Abus range of locks and see most post about them.

KJ

by **wtf|pickproof?** » 17 Sep 2005 12:45

Hi and welcome to LP101!

Your the shapes of picks look really nice!
As for the materials used:
*tensioners are usually made from windshield wiper _inlays_. This are small layers of steel placed inside the rubber to reinforce it. They are usually shiny and more durable than the metal that holds the rubber part in place. (Which, I guess, is what you used)

*picks are usually made from hacksaw or even junior hacksaw blades. They are thinner than jigsaw blades which makes them more suitable for restricted/paracentric keyways. You should be able to slim down the picks with sanding paper if you haven't done it yet. That's actually one of the things I really like when making picks: You can fit them to your needs.

It's allways cool to see new people getting involved into pickmaking/lockpicking

Ps.:I'd really like to see some closeups of the picks.I'd really like to see some closeups of the picks.

by **TraceBeau** » 17 Sep 2005 16:52

Yes yes, I just slapped this small set together with what I had laying around, mainly just to see if I could actually pick a lock. and in case I couldn't I wouldn't have wasted money on a manufactured set.

Most likely I will buy a set now and start practicing all the basics. I think after I have learned with a pre-bought set I will have another go at making my own, since then I will probably have a better idea on what level of customization I want to add. here's a close up of the pick heads, I might finish them up a little but so far I've been able to open no 7 and 27 master locks and my schlage door lock pretty easily. Sorry about the quality but it's a taken with a webcam.

wtf|pickproof? wrote:Hi and welcome to LP101!

Your the shapes of picks look really nice!
As for the materials used:
*tensioners are usually made from windshield wiper _inlays_. This are small layers of steel placed inside the rubber to reinforce it. They are usually shiny and more durable than the metal that holds the rubber part in place. (Which, I guess, is what you used)

*picks are usually made from hacksaw or even junior hacksaw blades. They are thinner than jigsaw blades which makes them more suitable for restricted/paracentric keyways. You should be able to slim down the picks with sanding paper if you haven't done it yet. That's actually one of the things I really like when making picks: You can fit them to your needs.

It's allways cool to see new people getting involved into pickmaking/lockpicking

Ps.:I'd really like to see some closeups of the picks.I'd really like to see some closeups of the picks.

by **helix** » 17 Sep 2005 22:55

Don't suppose you could pet a ruler next to that yankee coin there?
Haha, nah, it's cool.
Just whinging.

Nice picks dude.

by **sivlogkart** » 18 Sep 2005 1:42

helix wrote:Don't suppose you could pet a ruler next to that yankee coin there?
Haha, nah, it's cool.
Just whinging.
Nice picks dude.

Assuming the picks are a normal size, we can work out the size of that coin.

KJ
:wink:

by **TraceBeau** » 18 Sep 2005 2:14

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/math/m ... s/quarter/
:oops: