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ultraconsumer
60
Aug 13, 2014
I bought the next set up from these as my first pick set and after watching hours and hours of how-to videos on YouTube, I was able to open 1 basic padlock in about 8 hours of trying. I don't know exactly what I was doing wrong, but it was pretty discouraging and I haven't picked them up since =(
Jasper
130
CTO
Aug 14, 2014
ultraconsumerIf it's just a simple pin tumbler padlock, it may be you're tensioning too hard. You want just enough tension for the pin to stick -- if you tension too hard, the lower pin won't fall back down properly. I find gently tensioning, and using
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to rake will basically open any simple padlock.
Jasper
130
CTO
Aug 14, 2014
ultraconsumerI find using the twisted tensioner
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helps a lot as the springiness helps prevent you from tensioning too hard.
ultraconsumer
60
Aug 14, 2014
JasperTotally. I tried tensioning everywhere from super light to super firm, and I almost always used the twisted tensioner. I guess either my locks have unfortunately difficult sets of pins, or I'm not doing a good job of feeling the binding/setting.
I feel like I need someone to teach me in person. Watching 100 bosnianbill videos didn't help, and I'm not a stupid person ;)
andy
1442
Aug 14, 2014
ultraconsumer>I feel like I need someone to teach me in person.
Depending where you live, there might be a TOOOL chapter near you. They can definitely help you: http://toool.us/meetings.html
sandcastle
1
Aug 14, 2014
ultraconsumerUse the rake pick (the one that has a rounded and squiggly end) instead of the hook. Apply light tension and use a raking motion. It's much easier and quicker than picking each tumbler separately.
The hardest part of lock picking (at least for me and some friends that I've taught) is learning how much pressure to put on the tension wrench and keeping it constant while picking. It's a rather light touch and developing the feel just takes practice.
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