What have you picked today

[Oldfast]

I am brand new to picking.... I backed into picking from another hobby (metal detecting) . I had 5 old locks I rescued from leaky old building my mother-in-law gave me. I let them lay around for a couple of years & decided to scrape them ( 2 yales,2 eagles & 1 ILCO) . I used a heavy hammer on the shackle to try to separate the brass from the steel shackle. Did not work, so I did a google search to understand how the locks worked ,then did another search on how to take them apart...thus stumbling on lock picking. I was fascinated with how interesting locks are & the idea of picking a lock.
I bought a few cheap picks & some used locks off ebay. I fiddled with a couple for about a month & bought a hobby vice & was successful for the first time today ....I picked 2 locks ( Master locks #1 & #3) . I felt like I finished a marathon.
I admire those of you that have advanced your skills so much after reading some of this thread
I need to round up more locks as I know I need a lot more practice.

Nice job! Quite a feeling when the plug started turning that first time?

Sounds like you're off to a great start. Really glad you've found you're way here.

A big WELCOME to you sir. I'm Mike

[Neilau]

Quote.

"I bought a few cheap picks & some used locks off ebay. I fiddled with a couple for about a month & bought a hobby vice & was successful for the first time today ....I picked 2 locks ( Master locks #1 & #3) "

Ha Ha Master #1 and #3.

I said it before .These two locks are responsible for getting more people into the hobby than any other.

Hands up all those who started on the #1 and #3.

Welcome to the Forum Sir. You'll find lots of help and nice people here.

[scudo]

Enjoy the forum, dont enjoy the drain on your wallet

I felt like I finished a marathon.
I admire those of you that have advanced your skills so much after reading some of this thread

Dont listen to the members as it is an evil hobby, you get sucked in and if you are not careful it will suck your wallet dry. Then of course you will diversify and start to make picks and tension bars and start to repin and get interested in safe dials.

Tread carefully but enjoy! And the members are very helpful towards us newbies, a nice bunch of guys.

[mapper123]

Thank you the kind remarks & the warnings. I am sure I will need lots of help in the future.

[Doogs]

Hi Mapper:
Congratulations on your first picks. Don't listen to scudo he's still trying to repin his first lock so he's strictly noob. Just kidding scudo.

Pssst Mapper if you are interested in some locks check out the buy sell and trade section daily there's some great deals to be had. And also read every post you can as it's interesting stuff. You won't get hooked I promise (Doogs crosses fingers behind back and rolls eyes upwards).

[GWiens2001]

My hand is raised. Master No. 3

Gordon

[g_kinz]

well congrats mapper. it just grows from there man. master are pretty easy but great experience. you learn a lot from your first pick.

[jharveee]

American 1105 picked 3..JPG

American 1105 picked 2..JPG

American 1105
This picking made possible by Mr.Wizard's practice lock.
Helped me learn how to pick serrated pins.
Thanks

[mapper123]

The newbee here picked a Master #1,a Craftsman lock made in Germany & failed to pick a Abus #41. It appears I need to stick to the simple locks for now. Folks it is not easy when you are both old & stupid.

[Neilau]

Mapper123.

From one who IS old and stupid.

Take it from me -- IT IS.

Just takes practice, practice, practice.

You'll get there.

PS. don't get disheartened by some of the pickers here. Their skills are freeky but they all started from the beginning (usually on Masters #1 and #3

[pmaxey83]

I just picked an Assa 600 I got off ebay. So many false sets.

[Oldfast]

Some great picks here guys!

jharveee... all serrated, yummy! Nothin' like a little Captn' Crunch

mapper123... I have a little Craftsman lock that just gives me hell.

pmaxey83... An ASSA 600. Holy hell, that must have felt great!

[xeo]

After 3 years of this thread not being sticky (perhaps sticky in other ways you may imagine), it now is.

[Marduk28]

This Stanley Lock came as a lot of old locks from Ebay and was full of dirt/gunk~ making getting any feedback really hard!

Needed a couple good doses of WD-40, but finally got it open!!

[jeffmoss26]

Got an eBay lot of 5 locks - 4 WB and 1 Corbin, picked 2 of the WB so far: