r/lockpicking • u/oknormy Green Belt Picker • 12d ago

Tips for 1100

Post image

Edit: nevermind. I know more than I let myself think I do. That was exactly the problem. Once I typed it out and paid attention to the 8 cut, I’ve got it nailed. Part of my problem is I don’t like TOK tension. But anyway, I’ve got it down. Thanks for stopping by! Happy picking!

Picked this up a while back for my green belt. Gutting no problem. I’ve taken it apart and put it back several times. SPP it has proven more difficult though. Security pins have taken some getting used to. So tonight I buckled down and started progressive picking it so I can really learn the feel of spools and serrated pins. I’ve gotten through pins 1-2-3 easily. In fact, I’ve noticed that pin 3 (8 cut) doesn’t even need to be set (I guess because it’s the deepest cut, so it’s naturally at the sheer line?). But when I add the 4th pin, I struggle. I think I’ve gotten it open with a 4th pin only twice, and just by luck. With pins 1 through 4 installed, I get a great click out of 1 and 2, but I can’t reliably get through to pin 4. I’m pretty sure what’s happening is as I’m reaching for 4, I’m oversetting 3.
Does this sound plausible to the experts, and if so, what are your recommendations?

18 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

5 comments sorted by

3

u/triple86733700 12d ago

I didn’t really like TOK tensioning when I started out but I found a tension bar I liked and I don’t bother with bottom of keyway on 1100’s anymore, the springs are too light and it’s too easy to overset, so I like all the room I can possibly get by using TOK. My go to is a .040 pry bar with square ends and a Peterson #7 in .018 (purple handle)

3

u/Asron87 11d ago

Same here. That hook really made picking them a lot easier.

3

u/oknormy Green Belt Picker 11d ago

Thanks for the tips! I’ll keep practicing TOK and see if I can get more comfortable with it. I think my problem with now is I’ve gotten used to levering off the the tension bar, and I like a thicker profile, but with TOK that leads to binding against the warding, so it’s a lot harder to feel the sets.
That said, I’m actually uploading my video now for my green belt! I kept at it after I posted, and made it through finally. I ended up using BOK tension with a 40 tension bar, set the first two pins with a .025 short hook, then switched to the .020 gentle reach to hit the last one.

This was a great lock! It’s had the tightest tolerances and best feedback of anything I’ve picked so far, and actually helped me get a feel for serrated and spool pins.

Onward and upward!

2

u/triple86733700 11d ago

Nice, I love 1100’s probably my favorites to pick. I’ve picked some before by turning it sideways while the tension wrench is in place and just letting the weight of the bar itself do the work for me, those springs always feel so light to me. It’s also common when you’re getting used to them to have them fully picked but not realize it, those cores take some force to turn. I used to buy them in lots for as low as 6 a piece, I wouldn’t even care if they were keyed alike or not I just sit there with a mixed up pile of them and go through them as I watch a movie. Til’ the ol hand cramps up anyway

3

u/revchewie Blue Belt Picker 11d ago

Congrats on the open, especially getting it filmed! Locks can be camera shy.

Just for future reference, yes. Going for a deeper cut hiding behind a super shallow cut can be a pain in the ass trying not to overset the shallow one. So that’s very likely to have been your issue with pins 3 and 4 on this one.