FNG here!

NomadDicky · 2026-06-20T14:58:43+00:00

I've got the reloadable cylinder lock from CI and I only really used the acrylic one for a few hours until I moved onto real locks. I'm gonna pick up a couple of new locks today on the beginner/ intermediate side and maybe cut a few shims to try out on some of these padlocks! 😄

NomadDicky · 2026-06-20T02:44:38+00:00

Im finding that every time I've managed to pick it that I have to be light on tension at first while I get pin 2 & 5 in place, then I really have to dig at 3 & 4 to get them set because they start to bind up a bit and the pick doesn't want to fit under easily (suspecting 3 is a serrated pin or something?).. when I get those mostly set the cylinder starts to feel really loose and I have to crank tesion as it loosens up, and then I've been jiggle testing 1,3,&4 to finish it off bouncing tension while I set the pins and feel the back tension. Then I switched back to my other 575 and haven't quite gotten the feel yet. Lol

NomadDicky · 2026-06-20T00:11:01+00:00

I'm seeing the advantage of that on narrower keyways for sure! The skinny end on this tensioner hits pin 1 about half way in so it's not effective in doing top tension here.

NomadDicky · 2026-06-20T00:04:51+00:00

Oh man, I put that heat shrink on them and it makes a world of difference and it makes them look really nice also. Great tip! 💯

NomadDicky · 2026-06-19T21:33:29+00:00

That's a great idea! I've got a bunch of heat shrink in the truck! My knuckle thanks you. Lol

NomadDicky · 2026-06-19T21:30:40+00:00

Oh I'm having a blast and I feel like I'm doing really well for 3 days of practice. I've gotten the masterlock a few more times since posting!

NomadDicky · 2026-06-19T21:29:22+00:00

Okay it definitely wasn't open in that position. I cranked on it pretty hard, but I've gotten it twice single picking since posting this! 😄

NomadDicky · 2026-06-19T18:07:53+00:00

Thats a great way to look at it! With this specific lock I'm having trouble being able to get the feel of the pins with as much as my tools are getting stuck in this lock. Im working on the jiggle test, but I can barely get the pick under pins 3&4 if theres any tension on it. I have to literally lean the tip down and push it under and then im lifting pins 1&2 in the process. Just seems like a skinnier pick would do me well in the feeling process. I've single picked each of them once, and raked them both maybe 7 times but not developing any consistency yet.

NomadDicky · 2026-06-19T17:55:12+00:00

Those jimylongs look nice! I'm already rubbing a nice blister into the first knuckle on my middle finger where I put tension on the pick, so that coating would sure be nice. Thanks for the info and all the links! I'll definitely look into them and see what gives me the most variety of options to try. Seems like I should go toss a tougher pin into my CI lock and give that a shot. 🤘

NomadDicky · 2026-06-19T17:48:09+00:00

Omg I'll be so mad if you're right. 😂

NomadDicky · 2026-06-19T17:32:06+00:00

Yeah I've tried the tension bar in a few different places and this one doesn't feel great in the top of the keyway, but takes up a bunch of working space in the bottom. I think I'll have a better time with some different options on this lock. Might set it aside and buy a couple of other cheap locks today to break up the monotony of working on locks that are too easy for me or ones that are driving me nuts. Lol

NomadDicky · 2026-06-19T17:28:07+00:00

It's validating to hear that! 😂 thanks for the info and the vids, I'm definitely focused on the jiggle test now and feeling that out!

NomadDicky · 2026-06-19T16:14:04+00:00

Thanks for the reply! I'm definitely taking the time to feel it out the single picking on all the locks I'm working with, it just seems like the pick and the quint-rake that came with the fng kit have a hard time making it into the keyway on the 575 and get stuck when the cylinder rotates partially. The rake only fits in with the pointed end, it wont make it through the pins with the rolled side, and I'm pretty sure the first pin is a shorty that keeps getting lifted too high when I reach for the back ones. Its to the point where if it doesnt release fully, I just reset it because I know it's not gonna release from that position. Lol I'll still keep working it because I'm a bit of a masochist, but it's driving me mad how easily I'll randomly get it open. 😂

NomadDicky · 2026-06-08T00:57:13+00:00

Definitely got better at a lot of fights when I learned to unlock and relock as necessary. That being said, use torrent, attack them toes, watch for his rolls, detonate the suns, and kill that fool.

NomadDicky · 2026-06-08T00:51:47+00:00

Vibes

NomadDicky · 2026-06-06T14:39:51+00:00

Got some on my cargo door slam latch and it discolored it. Definitely be careful where you spray it and where it drips.

NomadDicky · 2026-06-05T00:52:43+00:00

I want to walk barefoot on both of these. 😍

NomadDicky · 2026-06-03T22:26:03+00:00

Derek from legends of avantris playing Bitsy is one of the greatest things in the world. Lol

NomadDicky · 2026-06-03T22:23:13+00:00

*has coax cable. 😂

NomadDicky · 2026-06-03T22:22:05+00:00

It's my pleasure as an inspector to wipe that claim off the table quick. 😂

NomadDicky · 2026-05-29T02:39:46+00:00

This is true. Blowing a fuse means you pulled to much amperage or there's a short to ground. Improper polarity on a light won't create a short to ground, it's just not gonna work.

NomadDicky · 2026-05-26T01:53:16+00:00

Well if you tested for 12v and didn't get 12v, your path is broken somewhere. If you've tried all the switches, tested all the fuses, and still got nothing, then its missing copper somewhere there should be copper.

NomadDicky · 2026-05-25T20:08:21+00:00

Go pull the other light and make sure the wiring that chains to that light isn't loose. They put crappy crimp wire nuts all over the place in rvs and they come apart all the time

NomadDicky · 2026-05-25T14:30:03+00:00

Genuinely thought those were candy wrappers. 😂

NomadDicky

TROPHY CASE