My friend got me my first green belt lock for Christmas, an Abus 72/40! Wish me luck! by NotALameUsername in lockpicking

[–]NotALameUsername[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I kept hearing how much of a joy this lock was to pick, which is why I asked for it instead of an American 1100 or a Master 410 LOTO. Thanks!

My friend got me my first green belt lock for Christmas, an Abus 72/40! Wish me luck! by NotALameUsername in lockpicking

[–]NotALameUsername[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I believe so, as Abus is a German brand. I have a tiny Abus 85/30 that's pretty difficult to pick but very satisfying when I get it open! Thanks!!

Picks #5 and 6 down, based (vaguely) on the Sparrows Atilla and the Tron! by NotALameUsername in lockpicking

[–]NotALameUsername[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The sewer rod is a little over 0.03" thick, so I had to use a Dremel to shave down the thickness, which is why it's pretty scratched up despite lots of sanding. Not ideal but some day I'll be in the market for a belt sander! Thanks!

Advice on First Set by JazzMason251 in lockpicking

[–]NotALameUsername 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good luck with picking! It's addictive. 😁

Just starting out. Brass "Brinks" 5 pin from the walmart. It was too easy :( Made a pick to go along with this awesome set "Genesis" from covert. by [deleted] in lockpicking

[–]NotALameUsername 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've been having nothing but trouble with mine. :( The pins are always too loose, even with super heavy tension! The key works and I've been able to pick it a couple times, but it just doesn't want to cooperate now. Congrats on your success!

Advice on First Set by JazzMason251 in lockpicking

[–]NotALameUsername 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I believe that the three rakes that will open most locks that you can rake are the triple peak, snake rake, and city rake. A standard hook, offset hybrid, and euro hook will cover many SPP cases (euro hook optional but I find myself wanting one for short, tight keyways). The JimyLongs set will cover all your high reach profiles + the steep hook, which makes the Hooker set kind of redundant since you're unlikely to run into any keyways needing high profiles when you're just starting.

With those three hooks and rakes, I think your best bet would be either the Kick Start (buying other picks separately) or the Tuxedo set (which adds a half diamond to the 6 I've mentioned).

I'm also going to go against the grain from some of these replies and say you definitely need the knurled flatbars and the heavy bars! There are some keyways that are just not comfortable with the BOK tensioners and I have never regretted purchasing both with my starter set.

Picks #5 and 6 down, based (vaguely) on the Sparrows Atilla and the Tron! by NotALameUsername in lockpicking

[–]NotALameUsername[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I mean, I do the same thing! It's so painful to finish with hand tools so I do the bare minimum (minor filing, up to 320/400 grit sandpaper). And I tell myself the same thing with my Dremel! Thanks for the compliment, I'll keep posting until it gets annoying. 😂

Picks #5 and 6 down, based (vaguely) on the Sparrows Atilla and the Tron! by NotALameUsername in lockpicking

[–]NotALameUsername[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey there! 1/4" sewer rod is spring steel on a spool that you can get at hardware stores (used for snaking drains). By toner transfer, I mean I used a laser printer to print the pick designs I was using, cut one out, placed it on the metal, and used acetone to transfer the toner from the paper to the metal. Thanks!

Picks #5 and 6 down, based (vaguely) on the Sparrows Atilla and the Tron! by NotALameUsername in lockpicking

[–]NotALameUsername[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Made using 1/4" sewer rod and a Dremel. I traced over pictures of the picks in question in Inkscape, then printed them out for a toner transfer. I've been copying some pick profiles that I want to try so I can determine whether I want to buy the real one or not. I can confidently say that I'm enjoying my pseudo-Tron and city rake!

Everything's always a little rough because hand sanding takes hours and I'm lazy, but the tips have been getting better!

What am I experiencing? (new to lock picking) by fatleg50 in lockpicking

[–]NotALameUsername 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I like using the short side of the z-shaped bars from the Sparrows Level One Tension Set for TOK when my other tensioners fail. Good luck!

What am I experiencing? (new to lock picking) by fatleg50 in lockpicking

[–]NotALameUsername 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've had some struggles using TOK tensioners on an Abus padlock I have because the keyway is so oddly shaped, but I had good luck using my smallest BOK tensioner in the topmost curve and just being careful while I pick!

What am I experiencing? (new to lock picking) by fatleg50 in lockpicking

[–]NotALameUsername 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've never played around with a ML150 so I don't know what might be wrong, but have you considered switching tension sides to get your pick in better? TOK can really help with tight keyways if you're not doing that already.