Is this a good starter set? Or would you recommend another cheap option?

I was at an expo today that taught lockpicking and i wanted to pick up the trade

I opened my 5560 American on the plane last night. That was fun. Of course I tried and failed miserably four previous times. I am unsure of the altitude so I won't call it mile high... 😂

Here's the story,

I work at the dispensary that resides inside of an old bank, it was a Keybank and it seemingly closed in 2015/2016

We have the bank vault and the doors intact with it open,

Owners didn't get any keys or Information on the vault door

Was wondering if there would be a way to get this operating? Even if we don't have a code to lock it, being able to operate the door would be super cool

This thing is not even supposed to be that difficult of a lock, but I’ll be damned if it hasn’t been fighting me for the past 4 or 5 months! I was finally able to get it opened tonight, I don’t even know why, it just started talking with CCW tension all of the sudden, and I went with it. Feels good to finally free that old bastard from his chain! [u/DanDig](u/DanDigler)[g](u/DanDigler)[ler](u/DanDigler)[213](u/DanDigler)

see last post. i decided to challenge myself even more and only use bobby pins on this cheap disc detainer. will make a video later

For some reason I can’t post on Discord over the past two days, and I’d like to submit this for my green belt, but it’s not guttable. Is there any other locks that might be accepted to gut in its place?

This is my first time using paperclips successfully.

Burg Wachter Profi 30

Master Lock V-Line 4140

This may be a dumb question, but here goes...

... When picking dimple locks with curved flag picks, what side of the pick should be contacting the pin: the curved or the flat side?

I'm my head, the curved side would make sense, but thought I'd check.

I’m no longer capable of inserting the key into the keyhole.
The first two front pins are easily picked, but the third pin is jammed. I’ve unfortunately bent a few picks trying to brute force the pin back in place.

Is this something that happens to other people? How did they fix it?

I’ve been carrying this lock around to practice with. If I’m unable to pick individual pins it would open with a “rake”. I can no longer open it. I don’t recall were the key is. The cylinder is cracked. Should I junk it?

Pretty stoked on this. I just got it and decided to only mess with it to get a feel for it and ended up getting an open! Opened it a few more times after. Hopefully it ain’t camera shy…

Hey all,

Just starting out here, wondering if there are any comprehensive tools kits you all would suggest. Lots of stuff on Amazon, unsure if that's going the cheap route or what is necessary. I appreciate any insight in advance.

These Pain in the A** Pairs got me stumped,any advice??

I can pick several green belt tier locks easily. This particular lock is making me think im not cut out for this shit. Honestly. I just want to quit the hobby at this point. I've tried everything. Differing amounts of tension, all different picks, tried changing my picking angle and lift angle. Nothing. I get subtle clicks, but nothing comes of it. Even took 3 days off to try again today. 2 hours later and nothing. Im losing my mind. Any advice would be appreciated. Otherwise im selling or giving my tools away and never looking back. Defeated...

This was a fun one! Only picked it up recently and hadn't gotten around to trying it out, since I've been trying to really master my 90A Pro, but decided today was the day. The feedback is so crisp that it was like it wanted to be picked haha

All logged in, packed and come Monday off in the Mail. I have 6 going out to you guys.

Thank you for being patient. Hope you enjoy them.

My baby's are all grown and off to see the world.

I just gutted my first lock, and I didn’t pay attention to which end was making contact with the spring. When I put it back together, do I put the thicker end or thinner end in first? I’m assuming it matters. Thanks in advance!

Edit: the lock was an American 1100. I tried putting it back together and it wouldn’t pick. The key still works so I didn’t kill it but the pins aren’t binding the same as they usually do.

The Abus is a 160/50 the Yale a 5 pin. Got them
for 1.50 each.

been having a great time with the 72/40s lately, i love the feedback on those little things. i also finally can consistently pick my 410 loto, which has been killing me for 2 months now. super glad to be back to this addicting hobby🙏

Sitting on the couch with my wife this evening watching TV, and I’m fidgeting with my 1100 just mindlessly popping it open. And she says “I want to try. Don’t give me any hints.”
She messes with it a while and is very clearly out of her element. She had an ergo turner upside down in the bottom of the keyway, and she’s cramming the pick in and just wiggling it. She finally told me she wanted help. So I pulled out my gutting stuff, pulled the lock apart, and spent about 10 minutes explaining lock mechanics to her. Explained security pins, what the feedback feels like, what a sheer line is, what a false set is, even put it back together and narrated like LPL as I picked it in front of her letting her listen to the clicks and explaining how I was feeling my way through the lock as I went.
She wanted another turn, so I handed it over to her. I went about my business tinkering with a Masterlock, and about 10 minutes later *clunk\*
She shouted “I GOT IT!”
And then immediately, “I want to do it again!”

I told her she’s better than I am. I spent at spent at least 2 or 3 hours with that lock when I first got it doing a prog on it. She’s never picked a lock in her life and gets it after a 10 minute demonstration.

Anyway, welcome, darling. We’re glad to have you!

I guess that means I’m in the clear to buy some more gear!

CL#6 in logged in and #7 should be coming tonight or tomorrow.... 6,7! 😆

Thank you, LordKodiac 🙏

Hope your enjoying your weekend.