tubular lock picking

[ben9277]

How can you tell which pins are set and which ones are not when using a tubular lock pick? Is there some trick or technique in using the 7 pin tubular lock pick? It seems to be more difficult then using the 8pin tubular lock pick. Some locks I have no problem with. I guess they are the cheaper ones. some just kick my ass. I take it these are the ones with different springs & tolerances? Any help ya'll can give me is much appreciated. Thank you all for your time and help.

[chris]

I suppose it depends on how you are using the lock pick itself. If you are setting them all flush and pushing and twisting, I doubt there is a decent way (or at least I haven't found one) to feel which are set. Now if you pull all the feelers back and insert the pick and tension, then push each feeler one by one, once you hit a binding pin you should be able to feel it click. Similar concept to single pin picking a tubular lock. Tension, push around until you can find a stiff pin, push that pin until it sets, move on around until you find the next, and so on.

Hope this helps a bit, it is what worked for me, though I rarely ever use a dedicated tubular lock pick, I'd rather SPP them myself, much more fun.

[magician59]

I won't deny the fun in spp'ing tubular locks; But if yur intention is to get them open, the dedicated tool is the way to go...unless you have the time to repick it a few times.

[chris]

Well yeah...if I were on a job I would use a dedicated tool, the HPC Model B is a great 7-pin tool, much better than the South Ord ones, in my opinion anyway. For just picking for fun, SPP all the way, picking one on the job could become a pain in the ass. I would say that method using the dedicated tool, but picking each pin individually with the feelers is a decent way to go if you are having trouble setting pins by push/twist. You don't have to re-pick it once it opens that way.

[DIY Dave]

...I'd rather SPP them myself, much more fun.

What do you use for a tension wrench?

[KokomoLock]

Here is what I use http://www.keypicking.com/viewtopic.php?f=39&t=4008

[chris]

Yep, same thing Kokomo posted, he sent me one of those, works wonders. You can also buy a mass produced one, which in my opinion sucks.