beginner tips

[xFoRcEx76]

I am a beginner lock picker that recently picked up the hobby. I have watched several instructional videos from wizwazzle on youtube and am greatly interested in taking up this hobby. I purchased my first lock pick set a few weeks ago and have been trying to SPP a masterlock number 3 that i own. I was wondering if i could ask for some advice on how to do it. Everytime I try to SPP the lock, i feel that it is either pure luck that the pins are placing correctly, or maybe the lock is broken. I have been following the steps that you have outlined in some tutorials: feel how many pins there are, apply tension, find the binding pin, slowly push up until you feel the pin set...
However, it still feels like I have no control over the outcome. Sometimes, when I think I have found a binding pin, I push and it is stuck in place, no matter how hard i push. I release some tension and eventually the pin goes up. But there are other times when i push the pin up and i hear the spring go up and it just goes down without setting. I gently lift the pin several times but it doesn't seem to set. I think it's hard for me to tell whether a pin is even set properly or not. Eventually, I just keep pushing the pins at odd angles and somehow the lock gets picked. I want to eventually get to a point where I feel like I am really SPPing a lock rather than relying on pure luck. Any tips will help greatly. Thank you!

[ToolyMcgee]

Sometimes, when I think I have found a binding pin, I push and it is stuck in place, no matter how hard i push. I release some tension and eventually the pin goes up.

You are oversetting a set pin. Pushing harder isn't what you need.

But there are other times when i push the pin up and i hear the spring go up and it just goes down without setting. I gently lift the pin several times but it doesn't seem to set. I think it's hard for me to tell whether a pin is even set properly or not.

I agree, because you are describing lifting a pin that is not binding.

Eventually, I just keep pushing the pins at odd angles and somehow the lock gets picked. I want to eventually get to a point where I feel like I am really SPPing a lock rather than relying on pure luck. Any tips will help greatly. Thank you!

Frustration is getting the better of you. The tension you should place on the end of the wrench shouldn't need to be any more than the weight of a few coins. Pushing harder on the wrench means you'll have to lift harder with your pick, and you don't want to snap the key pin above the shearline, but bring it under control to the shearline. Lighter tension will also help you decide which pin is binding, and which is already set. Less tension means a lower binding friction and it will move smoother into the bible then click, where a pin that is overset has more friction, and no click. What tools are you using? Sometimes stainless picks require even less tension than high carbon steel since they are more flexible. When a pick bends, even if it sets a pin the energy stored in the bent pick has to go somewhere, and that is usually placeing the key pin just beyond the point where you want to stop. Also, master lock is a good beginner's lock, but since you cannot really take it apart easily, consider buying a cheap rim lock, or kwikset at the hardware store. That way you can take pins out if you want, or still practice if you are having an off day.

Stay calm, feel for the right clicks. A pick slipping off a pin can sound alot like a pin setting under tension, so can a pick snapping off the key warding. Light tension, smooth picking. I snapped several tensioners before I realized just how little it can really take, especially on a deadbolt or plug with no spring tension to overcome. Little more than the weight of your finger. It is similar to writing with a pencil. Press harder(more tension), make a darker mark. Press too hard, and you rip through the paper(overset pins). Stick with it a couple days and you'll get it in no time. It should be a relaxing activity.

-ToolyMcgee

[HallisChalmers]

xFoRcEx76, there are two things that are very important when learning to lockpick: a light touch and patience.

You need to really learn to correctly interpret what you feel with your pick. You need to close your eyes and visualize the tip of the pick as it glides up and down across the pins.

Feel the pins as you go up the side (ridge) and crest the top, and then back down the other side. You really need to concentrate on what you are doing.

But don't bear down on the tension wrench. Very little tension is required to turn the plug once the pins are set above the shearline.

I think everyone that got into this hobby, started on a Master 3. I know I did. Unfortunately, the No 3's are some of the shittiest locks out there with extremely loose tolerances.

I'd take Tooly's advice and pick up a cheap lock at a hardware or department store, that gives you the ability to remove the cylinder. That way you can remove the pins and add them as you progressively learn to get the feel for each pin and the correct tension needed to rotate the plug.

Just remember to take your time, and concentrate on the tactile feedback you receive from the tension wrench and the pick as you work.

Take a break often - if you just hunker down and become obssessive-compulsive about it, you'll burn out.

Watch the vids from Wizwazzle, frantic57744 ,S1DESHOWMICK, RosinDubh37713 and last but not least - bruno2260. These guys are extremely sharp.

Good luck and don't hesitate to ask us all questions - we have a really great groups of guys and gals that will be glad to give you advice.

[nozza36]

Hiya ! i'm really rubbish at this , but bare in mind that it's the wrench
that opens the lock , not the pick , tension is SO important .
As for pick selection i find that in low spec locks a half diamond or
double half diamond will put a smile on my face , so as an old saying
goes "By hook or by half diamond"
Also look at LocFoc's lock prep' as you didn't tell us the condition
of the master you are caressing (it is on active topics)
Best of luck , try any pick in your set that fits , to gain a better
insight (different picks give very different feedback)

[xFoRcEx76]

thank you so much for your advice. i will try these tips. I'm planning on going to home depot to look for a cheap lock where I can remove/add pins. Do you have any examples of locks i could look for? Sorry if it sounds like a silly question, but I really have no clue what locks there are aside from master locks.

[HallisChalmers]

thank you so much for your advice. i will try these tips. I'm planning on going to home depot to look for a cheap lock where I can remove/add pins. Do you have any examples of locks i could look for? Sorry if it sounds like a silly question, but I really have no clue what locks there are aside from master locks.

Go to any hardware store and look for Schlage, Yale, Corbin Russwin, Emhart, Dexter or any other rim or mortise cylinders they may have in stock - and you can afford.

As far as padlocks go, look for American 1105, 1205 or 5200 Series, Master 21's, Abus 45, 55, 83 series.

[ToolyMcgee]

Most people recommend Kwikset deadbolts. Widely availble, and often on sale for 10 bucks. Defiant, Atlas, Trubolt, Prospec, these are all around 10 bucks on sale as well and use the same keyway. I recommended a cheap rim cylinder like this one in addition

Because of the bible.

I picked it up for about 3 bucks the day I locked myself out of my practice Kwikset I reduced the bible so I could grab the rod that held the guts in. This way I could pin whatever biting I wanted, and not worry about having to pick it or have the key to open it if I couldn't pick it. Most deadbolts use a plate that is either a real pain to get off, or is easy to bend, and hard to get back on. No question that it is not a top quality lock, but it was very cheap and this minor modification made it useful. It helped me practice until I was able to unlock my practice Kwikset and was a good comfort lock for me for many weeks after that. No question you should get a decent deadbolt, but recommending you buy one off the shelf at home depot makes my guts knot up. You should check out the Restore directory and see if you can't find one near you to check out their selection. http://www.habitat.org/cd/env/restore.aspx Resale shops are great places to find used deadbolts and knobs.

-Tooly

[HallisChalmers]

....also, this guy always has used American lock cores (only) for sale on eBay, usually keyed differently, at a good price - just don't go crazy bidding on them. He's constantly on there selling, so odds are good you can get a good collection of 5 or 6 cores for the price of one new padlock...of course this is only cost effective in you are in the US...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220386303697&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:US:1123

[awol70]

also,please check your phonebook and see if you have a Habitat For Humanity ™ Re-store
outlet in your area..i have found everything from antique mortise cylinders to high security storefront ™Best sfic (small format interchangeable core) for under 5 bucks...
not to mention you are helping those less fortunate ,as it is a non-profit charity organization.
good luck, and welcome to the site...=)
damn...is this deja'vu?

[xFoRcEx76]

I'll try bidding on that guy selling the American cores. Thanks again everyone!

[rosindubh37713]

xFoRcEx76, there are two things that are very important when learning to lockpick: a light touch and patience.

You need to really learn to correctly interpret what you feel with your pick. You need to close your eyes and visualize the tip of the pick as it glides up and down across the pins.

Feel the pins as you go up the side (ridge) and crest the top, and then back down the other side. You really need to concentrate on what you are doing

Hallis buddy! I was starting to get really turned on reading them first three paragraphs
Who would have thought lock picking could be so sexy

[HallisChalmers]

xFoRcEx76, there are two things that are very important when learning to lockpick: a light touch and patience.

You need to really learn to correctly interpret what you feel with your pick. You need to close your eyes and visualize the tip of the pick as it glides up and down across the pins.

Feel the pins as you go up the side (ridge) and crest the top, and then back down the other side. You really need to concentrate on what you are doing

Hallis buddy! I was starting to get really turned on reading them first three paragraphs
Who would have thought lock picking could be so sexy

Lock porn...we really should have a section for that Dave...

[frantic57744]

the odds will always be stacked in your favour when your pick tells you what your pressing on and your intuition will tell you why you are pressing it. (comes with practice)
Having said that i,ve just got a lock today that,s refusing to speak to me, in fact in picking terms it seems to be defying the laws of physics!!! So the longer you spend with a lock in your hand the easy it gets, but there,s always a piece of security out there that,ll tell your lock picks to p*ss right off

[xFoRcEx76]

Would anyone know what's a good price to pay for a cutaway practice lock? I was thinking about picking one up but I don't want to overpay

[rosindubh37713]

xFoRcEx76, there are two things that are very important when learning to lockpick: a light touch and patience.

You need to really learn to correctly interpret what you feel with your pick. You need to close your eyes and visualize the tip of the pick as it glides up and down across the pins.

Feel the pins as you go up the side (ridge) and crest the top, and then back down the other side. You really need to concentrate on what you are doing

Hallis buddy! I was starting to get really turned on reading them first three paragraphs
Who would have thought lock picking could be so sexy

Lock porn...we really should have a section for that Dave...

Sounds good to me mate, nothing wrong with a bit of good old fashioned porn