Using a rake

[jailersmith]

My suggestion is for a newby just learning. I don't recommend using a rake in a in and out motion because it will become a crutch and a distraction to spp. I use a rake as a jiggler so you still feel the pins set. IMHO

[mdc5150]

I take my 8 year old son to work with me. After a customer complained that I made him feel stupid by having my son unlock his door I can't let him pick in public anymore.

So my son sits next to me in the van when I rekey and the customer does not have a key for it and he rakes all the locks to the picked position while I rekey. He still does not have the full grasp on spp'ing but will learn. If you keep an open mind and have some understanding on what picking is all about raking should be the business end of doing things and spp'ing should be the fun. But it could definitely become a crutch if you let it.

[hypnos3510]

im a newbie at lock picking and i try to not rake any of the locks i mean i tried a few times just to see what all the fuss was about and to me it take all of the fun out of picking so i just use spp'ing

[piotr]

I take my 8 year old son to work with me. After a customer complained that I made him feel stupid by having my son unlock his door I can't let him pick in public anymore.

Brought a smile to my face.

[chris]

I think if you are a n00b and wanting to learn to pick for a hobby, for the challenge and lock conquests, then learning SPP is the way to go, more satisfaction in the long run. As far as business is concerned, whatever gets the job done the fastest and most efficient, be that raking, pick gun, whatever works for the individual.

[chris]

I have a pick gun...and I am horrific at it, I can pop a master lock with it...that's about it. Granted I didn't put a whole lot of time into it, but it is at the bottom of my "go to" list on tools.

[chris]

Yeah, rarely works successfully...I'm sure if I put as much time into it as I do SPP then it would work just fine..but it's like anything lock picking related, it takes practice and learned skill to use effectively.

[jailersmith]

Thanks for all the input. I totally agree with all that was posted. I combine techniques. But how do we instruct a newby to learn? After all, we all know the basics, and then some.

[mdc5150]

Thanks for all the input. I totally agree with all that was posted. I combine techniques. But how do we instruct a newby to learn? After all, we all know the basics, and then some.

If you can show a newbie how to rekey a lock, show them the plug with the key out the the correct key in so that you get a smooth shear line I believe a lot of people will have at least a little click in their head of what the goal is. Without that the goal to them is to unlock the lock. Show them how the lock works and the goal becomes a smooth shear line. You can teach about mechanical defects etc after that.

[Kezo]

I take my 8 year old son to work with me. After a customer complained that I made him feel stupid by having my son unlock his door I can't let him pick in public anymore.

You're an awsome dad. Sounds like your son will grow up to be a happy and confident person.

[cool-arrow]

I use a light rocking motion sometimes to set the security pins quickly then I go back in and SPP. It really just depends on the lock and what my goal is. If my goal is to open the lock quickly I will rake it, if its to learn the lock then only SPP.

[aka.decoy]

I take my 8 year old son to work with me. After a customer complained that I made him feel stupid by having my son unlock his door I can't let him pick in public anymore.

That's pure awesomeness. In fact, that's around the age I was when I started opening my grandma's luggage locks with a paperclip. Now that I think about it, I remember how hard it was to get information being under 18+. Couldn't buy books legally and if you could you'd get funny looks, couldn't ask anyone 'cause time was money, local library had nothing on the subject, and NO internet! WAhhh! Where's the violin?) I think it's super cool your son's got a Jedi Master to guide him!

[chris]

:wah: WAhhh! Where's the violin?)

<----- I found it for you!

[aka.decoy]

Thanks. Haha!

[magician59]

I have a pick gun...and I am horrific at it, I can pop a master lock with it...that's about it. Granted I didn't put a whole lot of time into it, but it is at the bottom of my "go to" list on tools.

Chris:
All the Master padlocks I have in my collection, whose keys no longer work unless the keyway is held vertically, have crushed springs. All caused by indiscriminate use of a pick gun. This is a heads-up, and not a critique. Be careful if you choose to use a pick gun on a customer's lock.