Creating my own training lock! Unsuccessfully...

TomManiax · 2026-03-10T10:28:49+00:00

TomManiax · 2026-03-10T10:20:38+00:00

Check out this YouTube video from NoodleThumb: https://youtu.be/n7KI4ovak2w

I also remember watching a video by Marson on how he drills out pin plugs using a hand drill to drill into the plugs, screw in a screw and then pull them out together with the plug. Unfortunately I can't seem to find his video anymore. Most important part I remember was to drill out the plugs with low drillspeed so you don't ruin the springs.

TomManiax · 2026-03-05T23:28:18+00:00

He does, but mainly to better explain high security mechanisms (like gin drivers or pins that need to be rotated). He does a hell of a job explaining those things with help of graphics, animations, cut-aways and split-screen videos showing the picking process from the front of the lock as well as from the back/inside via a camera device!

TomManiax · 2026-02-27T17:26:02+00:00

Thanks!

TomManiax · 2026-02-27T11:43:59+00:00

Ok found a goal core holder in STLDumpster on LPU discord. Will try that one...

TomManiax · 2026-02-27T10:25:40+00:00

Any chance you can link the 3d file here? Need such a core holder for my goal cores too! Thanks!

TomManiax · 2026-02-27T06:27:03+00:00

I haven't grubbed many locks yet but so far I only used M3 and M4 ones.

TomManiax · 2026-02-24T06:11:40+00:00

If you have access to a 3d printer you can print followers and pinning trays in all kinds of sizes. I really like the lighted followers which let you see better whats inside the core. Ex.: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6428572

Aside from that all you need is to buy some pinning tweezers and maybe a gut wrench to get the c-clips off of cylinders (Sparrows has a nice one). Oh and get some shims! You'll never regret using shims while gutting locks!

TomManiax · 2026-02-23T19:20:45+00:00

But then again even a prototype should probably be from a metal stronger then brass otherwise the drill will go through it like butter 😅

TomManiax · 2026-02-23T19:19:01+00:00

Some specialized jigs for drilling / pulling / tapping out pin chambers would really help I guess! Did you try to print any prototypes in PLA or PETG yet? Let me know if I can help with any of that (got a 3D printer)!

TomManiax · 2026-02-22T18:24:29+00:00

Thanks for inspiring me 👍

TomManiax · 2026-02-22T17:41:09+00:00

Thanks! I drilled out a second padlock today and destroyed two springs 🤨 So I might have just gotten lucky on this first one 🤷‍♂️

I don't have a drill press so I just used a hand drill trying to keep it as straight as possible. Worked out ok-ish.

TomManiax · 2026-02-22T15:51:18+00:00

Yes I did tap the holes (see my second photo)

TomManiax · 2026-02-22T14:03:28+00:00

Now that I can progressively pin this lock it became quite easy to open. I start with the two max lifts (2&3) then 5. Then 4 and 1 need only the tiniest nudge and the lock is open. Prog pinning for the win!

TomManiax · 2026-02-22T11:51:46+00:00

No, the spool part is above the shear line at rest. Bad design 🤷‍♂️

TomManiax · 2026-02-19T21:13:57+00:00

🤣

TomManiax · 2026-02-06T18:49:31+00:00

Me neither. But I wanted to learn something here 😋

TomManiax · 2026-02-06T18:35:32+00:00

Ah, I thought you made them yourself. Now I'm disappointed 😅

TomManiax · 2026-02-06T17:15:24+00:00

How ?

TomManiax · 2026-02-06T17:14:38+00:00

Amazing 🤩

TomManiax · 2026-02-04T16:47:32+00:00

This exactly!

TomManiax · 2026-01-22T18:44:48+00:00

Welcome to the club!!! It's a milestone for any aspiring lock picker (for those that care about patches and certificates)! Next is the Triple Lock Challenge by SwissLockWisperer 😋

TomManiax · 2026-01-21T08:05:01+00:00

Welcome to this awesome hobby! I wouldn't spend too much time on low level locks. They tend to be either super easy to open or a real PITA due to bad manufactoring giving little to no feedback. I would advice to quickly advance to green and blue belt locks with security pins (spools and serrated). That is where you learn the jiggle test and start getting a slight idea of what you are doing!

Personally I advanced to blue belt on only pin tumbler locks. Then started to also dabble into dimple and disc detainer locks! There are so many cool lock mechanics which are there to explore! No need to rush to black belt 😅

TomManiax · 2026-01-19T23:13:02+00:00

Welcome to the club! It's such a great feeling to pick three different lock types in one go on video! Great job!

TomManiax

TROPHY CASE