Looking at starter kits

[mroth7684]

I am new to lockpicking as a hobby and I found an interesting kit off one of the ads from here: http://www.lockpickshop.com/YT-LOCKPICK-KIT.html
I wanted to know if this kit is worth investing in. I currently have the basic credit card size lock pick set and a few padlocks that I practice on which are a standard brass padlock with no security pins, an American Lock 1105, and 2 Master ProSeries 6321's. I am able to pick the brass and the American Lock fairly easily and I've dumped the pins on the American Lock down to 3-4 to help practice the feel for pins. I haven't come anywhere close to a successful pick on the Master ProSeries locks as when I put even a hair of tension on the pins, they will all lock completely and no amount of force will budge them. I think maybe they use all serrated top and bottom pins?

I was thinking the kit with the cutaways will help me to see what I'm doing wrong because I can see if I missed a pin or over set a pin easily.

[mdc5150]

Forget the expensive setup like that. For that money you could almost get a decent set of picks and a pin kit and repin your own locks.

If I were to start all over again from the beginning I would start out with a Peterson Gem (http://www.peterson-international.com/picks/ss_pg.html?) and a Peterson Prybar (http://www.peterson-international.com/tensiontools.html)

Get a Brinks padlock for spool pins. Get a cheap deadbolt I would suggest like a Kwikset to start so you can dump the pins yourself and add them in as you learn.

Picking depends on being able to feel what is going on inside the lock. That feeling comes from lots of practice. When I started I couldn't feel individual pins inside a lock but now I can and can even differentiate the pins sitting at different heights etc. Good luck to you and welcome.

[ecksdee]

Welcome to the forum!

I second the above post. I blew a lot of money on things that I really didn't need in the beginning. Peteterson carbon steel tools are absolute tanks. I would, however, suggest that you get/make some sort of twist flex tension wrench as well, because starting off with top-of-key tension can make the learning process that much harder.

I'm still a newb, but I have learned so much since I've come here. My only advice to you is to use LIGHT movement. I'm talking tiny here. The parts that you're moving are very small and, for the most part, have very tight tolerances. Using excessive force will make your job harder, because it will not only be harder to set pins, you will also overset many pins, which is a royal pain in the ass. Small movements, patience, practice, persistence. Good luck.

[jailersmith]

Above is excellent advice. I would suggest starting with 2 hooks (shallow & medium) and 2 tension tools, flat (PPB) and std. ( L shape or twist flex).

[LockManipulator]

When just starting, cutaways will teach you to rely on your sight instead of the feedback from the pick. This is a bad habi that's hard to get rid of. Don't go for it.

[Scrince]

Good Luck !

[ecksdee]

A BIG thumbs up for the comment about cutaways. They are a crutch, not a teaching tool. Cool to look at? Sure. But most locks require you to rely on touch and sound, so you can't be using sight.

[mroth7684]

I'll continue to practice on my American 1105 I guess then. It's got 3 serrated pins and 2 spool pins in it. If I can get one of these ProSeries 6321's open I'll have all the pins from there to swap out with also. I watched 3 videos on Youtube of people opening the 6321 with ease but I think the ones I have might be different. They said the 6321 was easier to pick than an American Lock,

[mdc5150]

I'll continue to practice on my American 1105 I guess then. It's got 3 serrated pins and 2 spool pins in it. If I can get one of these ProSeries 6321's open I'll have all the pins from there to swap out with also. I watched 3 videos on Youtube of people opening the 6321 with ease but I think the ones I have might be different. They said the 6321 was easier to pick than an American Lock,

Any beginner who can pick an American lock is in great shape. Don't worry about the master pro series locks. The warding in those can be a little tight and you would have to angle your pick etc. The American is not an easier lock at all but the keyway is more negotiable. Look on Ebay for a 'lot' of inexpensive locks. Padlocks are great for practice for for a beginner but a normal house lock type keyway is great for practice and feeling for the binding pin.

[Koguntetzu]

i found a pretty cheap practice kit for myself (Still waiting to get it in the mail) here http://www.lockpickersmall.com/youtube- ... e-kit.html

[Aedalas]

i found a pretty cheap practice kit for myself (Still waiting to get it in the mail) here http://www.lockpickersmall.com/youtube- ... e-kit.html

That is the same thing as the first one. Twenty bucks cheaper, but yeah. Shame you already bought it, I'd argue that a hobby vice is much better. Can do padlocks and cylinders with one at least. I'm sure you could paint "Youtube" on the side of it or something if you really wanted a "Youtube set."

Live and learn I guess, any other new guys happen to see this though I'd recommend asking about starter sets before you buy.

[Steve]

If I were to start over this is what I would personally buy

Picks

http://www.peterson-international.com/picks/ss_h1.html x2 Rubber handle

http://www.peterson-international.com/picks/ss_pg.html x1 Rubber handle

Tension

http://www.peterson-international.com/tensiontools.html

Peterson pry bar x1
Peterson pry bar Lite x1

Any other tension wrench you'll need for right now can be made out of wiper inserts

Miscellaneous

http://www.lockpicks.com/swivelheadvacuumevise.aspx The vacuum seal is garbage, but the flat bottom is a lot more useful to me then a clamp style vise, and if all your using it for is picking then it will be stable enough. You might be able to find the same vise for cheaper if you do a bit of searching

you don't really need the vise but it is nice to have

just remember 1 thing, the less you spend on tools the more you can spend on locks

[Aedalas]

Didn't even look at your links, but it's Peterson so I'll agree with you.

For a vice though I'd check Harbor Freight, I got mine for less than 20 bucks.

http://www.harborfreight.com/2-3-4-quar ... -3311.html

It's cheap, made cheap. But you're holding a lock, not blacksmithing. One thing about Harbor Freight though, use a throw-away email. I get more spam from them then I do about mail order viagra.

[Logan]

gotta love that preview cut off bug, Aedalas lol
http://www.harborfreight.com/garage-sho ... -3311.html
Great vise, a ton of us have them. I went down to the HF store a few towns over same price as on the site.
They also have tweezers that work well for repinning, especially if you run a grove in the tip with a round file.
http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools ... 32381.html

[Aedalas]

Didn't even notice it bugged out, thanks for the fixed link.

And +1 for the groove tip, tried it awhile back and recommend it as well.