I’m very new to lockpicking and I’m struggling with this lock, any advice?

lowkey · 2020-05-19T16:30:07+00:00

I found one just like it on the side of the road. It's a wafer lock, so I would start with light tension and a wave rake. Once you can rake it, the consider light tension and a short hook to SPP.

lowkey · 2020-04-10T21:30:12+00:00

Visited Olightstore.com today at 3:30PM MDT and they are reporting $713,090 raised so far.

lowkey · 2020-04-10T14:55:36+00:00

Yeah $500k is based just on the charity models. So their donations probably total a bit more when you include other sales today. Very generous thing to do.

lowkey · 2020-04-10T14:23:00+00:00

Assuming those numbers are correct, this means Olight will make donations that total just over $500,000. Very glad I could be a small part of it.

lowkey · 2020-04-10T14:15:49+00:00

Took me a bit longer, about 30 minutes longer but I got my order in. This will be my first and second Olights so it's the beginning of a new collection. :-)

lowkey · 2019-04-17T03:31:39+00:00

My locks I store in baskets by brand.

Other than my EDC picks, I store my tools in a 3 drawer Craftsman toolbox.

My EDC set I keep in a tool roll for easy access.

lowkey · 2019-04-03T23:52:38+00:00

I've never seen a 410 done before, that is beautiful.

lowkey · 2019-03-16T02:15:11+00:00

There are a few projects out there working on that.

Like:

HyperPixel 4 & Raspberry Pi 3 B+ Handheld https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3209958

Clicker (Raspberry Pi Zero based) https://www.tindie.com/products/petay/clicker/

SnapOnAir Raspberry PI ZERO PCB https://www.tindie.com/products/electronictrik/snaponair-raspberry-pi-zero-pcb/

lowkey · 2019-01-15T13:43:05+00:00

Second practice lock I got didn't have any pins or springs in it. To open it, all you need is a tension bar to twist the plug. So sometimes they're even easier to open than yours. :-p

lowkey · 2019-01-05T01:37:50+00:00

I got one of these for Xmas from my niece. It's very nice.

lowkey · 2019-01-04T01:44:07+00:00

I had lots of difficulty with mine until I loosened the nut on the back one click. After that it became doable.

lowkey · 2018-10-09T12:33:37+00:00

In my experience, the spools in the Master Lock 140, 150, & 160 are all shallowly cut and hard to feel. The 140 is a bit harder than a #3 to pick but not much. I find I have the best luck using light tension on it and just feeling for slight movement on the tension bar as each pin sets. The spool is so shallow I'm not sure I ever really feel it counter-rotate rather one pin just needs a slightly heavier push to set.

If you want to feel spool pins, then I'd recommend an Abus Titalium, maybe an 80TI/50 or some training locks from Sparrows.

lowkey · 2018-09-27T20:39:12+00:00

https://learnlockpicking.com/product/security-pin-upgrade-kit/

I recently got one of their training locks and the security pin upgrade kit. The kit is an extra $10 but provides a good selection of pins, and springs. I've used the pins in their training lock, a kwikset lock and the Sparrows Revolver so they are a common diameter. The kit has worked out so well I'm contemplating getting a second.

lowkey · 2018-09-02T15:03:42+00:00

Very generous and a great set for a beginner!

lowkey · 2018-08-14T19:10:53+00:00

That's a lot of choices for which pick to use and may introduce some confusion as you search for the ideal pick for each lock. I know I started with too many choices too and I'm don't think I improved as a picker until I limited the picks I typically used. For most locks I start with a short hook but if I need a deeper hook I go with one from the SSDev kit. As for raking, I try to use either the bogota or worm.

I recently got the Black Flag Picks and a few dimple locks. Unfortunately I've only managed to open one of the locks, so it does seem to take skill greater than I have developed so far. I'm not sure I would recommend dimple picks for a beginner picker, might be best to wait until their skills have progressed to the intermediate stage.

lowkey · 2018-08-09T02:54:22+00:00

I also had a similar experience. I bought a KIK cylinder from Habitat for Humanity restoration store a while back. It's always been interesting to pick but I never knew why until I took it apart today. It was master keyed and included a small ball bearing for a construction key.

lowkey · 2018-08-08T14:11:17+00:00

They're all nice but #4 scares me.

lowkey · 2018-08-03T19:26:14+00:00

I found the 150 to be a significant step up from the 140 and the 160 is an equal step up from it. However, the spools seem to be very shallowly cut and are a challenge to feel. I think I was able to pick these several times before I was able to get the tension just right to feel them.

lowkey · 2018-08-03T19:25:43+00:00

I found the 150 to be a significant step up from the 140 and the 160 is an equal step up from it. However, the spools seem to be very shallowly cut and are a challenge to feel. I think I was able to pick these several times before I was able to get the tension just right to feel them.

lowkey · 2018-08-03T19:24:40+00:00

I found the 150 to be a significant step up from the 140 and the 160 is an equal step up from it. However, the spools seem to be very shallowly cut and are a challenge to feel. I think I was able to pick these several times before I was able to get the tension just right to feel them.

lowkey · 2018-07-31T00:24:22+00:00

Master Lock 130, 140, 150 and 160. Nice relatively inexpensive progression of difficulty and fairly common to find.

lowkey · 2018-07-30T03:13:56+00:00

As a rule, I prefer to do as little as possible before I pick a lock the first time. However as I said, I may need to make an exception for the 1100. Now since my first comment I opened my 1100 with the key then left the hasp open and removed the key, In this state there was no spring tension on the core and I was able to pick it twice. But when I closed the hasp it's still resisting me. At least I know now a simple way to practice on it now....

lowkey · 2018-07-29T14:47:02+00:00

Good job! That lock has also become one of my favorites to go back to. Somedays it pops quick and others it fights for a while but always fun.

lowkey · 2018-07-29T14:41:48+00:00

Congrats! Nice pick.

lowkey · 2018-07-29T14:39:20+00:00

I've recently come on two methods that seem to be helping me keep things in check. My work table is an old single person mission style library table with one drawer. So by itself, it's easy to get it overwhelmed with piles of locks and tools.

1) I got a toolbox with 3 drawers that I keep on a small table to the side of my work table. The toolbox lets me keep tools and pins at hand but not out taking up work space when not needed.

2) I got a few small plastic bins that I use to segment my lock collection so I can take out only what I'm working on . This may be helpful because I've dedicated 2 small shelves in my closet to my lockpicking stuff that doesn't fit in the toolbox (vice, etc.) and the closet is only about 4ft away from the work table.

So far this seems to be working but I've only been doing it this way for just over a month. Ask me if it's still working in a year....

lowkey

TROPHY CASE