Another newcomer

[John999]

Hi all, two weeks in and already frustrated, success raking a double sided wafer lock and that's it.
I live in Eastleigh, Hampshire and I am sort of semi retired.
I found a table top clamp on Ebay for £12.99, are these any good for a beginner?
Bought some picks from Mad Bobs...….0.6mm, are these too thick for UK locks. Also got a set of cheapo's from Ebay with a plastic lock, what else should I consider buying?
So many questions, so little time...…
John

[David_1]

Welcome

[John999]

I found a table top clamp on Ebay for £12.99, are these any good for a beginner?

That was my first vice, ebay trash clamped to my computer desk. Upgraded to a panavise but my old one is still working fine after 2 years of solid use.

Bought some picks from Mad Bobs...….0.6mm, are these too thick for UK locks.

They should be fine. I manage to fit 0.64mm in most euro cylinders.

Also got a set of cheapo's from Ebay with a plastic lock, what else should I consider buying?

Those will probably be too thick to fit in UK locks. The plastic lock is good for learning how the lock works, probably not the best for picking, should invest in a better quality cutaway if you want to pick and see the pins. I like the ones from Sparrows, Multipick also make a nice training lock in euro form. Also look for stuff like this and this, just get your hands on a bunch of cheap ebay lots.

[xbmods]

Welcome to the forum!
Agree with Sedz, get a decent cutaway to learn the feel of the pins with.

[Gazz]

Hi John999

Have a read of the rules and a good look around.

You've come to the right place for all things Locksport.

Lots of friendly folk to help you along your journey.

Ask loads of questions and post loads of pics.

[Shurelock]

@John999

[Billbobaggins]

Hi and wellcome John, keep asking questions thats one of the most important ways to learn and lots of practice, practice, and more practise.

[John999]

Hi again, thanks for all the good wishes. Have purchased a lock vice as hand holding locks, tensioning and picking a lock is probably a step too far for a beginner. Realising my tensioning was far too aggressive as when I was trying to pick I lost all feedback from the pins.
Found a superb video from Mike Smith on You Tube last night outlining good tensioning for beginners and also pick 'finishing' off to buy some 1500 and 2000 grade wet and dry. Also found BosnianBill and the Lock Lawyer. Are there any threads with more videos aimed at beginners?
John

[John999]

Nice to meet you read the rules, check out some old threads and join in the fun!

You might want to check out some of my vids - they might be of help

[Baldiloks]

How do

[John999]

Thanks for the steer Locks Noob. The videos (I've watched a few) are really clear and informative. Question for you sir, you reviewed the Euro re-pinnable practice lock from Locksaway and commented on the 'pin feel' due to the cutaway I have also seen the Multipick re-pinnable euro lock ( costs four times as much) which is quality from germany……...The question is, if I purchase the cheaper (but still very good) practice lock from Locksaway will I gain experience that I need at my novice stage of picking? or shall I wait to save my pennies to buy the Multipick lock in a couple of months?

Smashing forum BTW, anyone from the Hampshire area feel free to message me to arrange a meet and coffee over the coming months.

John

[John999]

Welcome mate. An even better purchase for a beginner might be the Sparrows progressive lock set.

[PacMandalore]

Hi John! to the forum.

[Jmrocketmail]

Hi and

I am also new to the locksport scene and one of my first purchases was the repinnable cutaway euro cylinder from locksaway, helped me immensely at the beginning and I will fall back on that lock when i am struggling with others, great to practice on and you can change it up in a couple of minutes when it becomes too easy. Great people to deal with as well.

Good luck

[merlin5666]

I found it was better for me after using the transparent practise locks to progresse directly to normal door cylinders quite simply to challenge me and it made me learn the hard way frustration is a great leveller you think your god then sit like a spare one at a wedding puzzling over what the hell you need to do to get something open without reaching for the big hammer or the angle grinder. Never totally lost my rag as yet DONT PICK ANGRY as someone high up the food chain once said leave it and go back later it will still be there.

[John999]

So much good advice. Day four and I can pick and rake the plastic practice lock. I am still struggling with tension and feeling my pick in the lock and this is where the plastic practice lock really helps. I think I am going for the locksaway practice euro lock (re-pinnable) as It will help me see and feel how the pick feels in use and will not break the bank.

I was lucky enough to acquire twenty or so various locks, some with keys and some without which is great and frustrating at the same time. I have cleaned some and just practicing my technique (badly) on them.

I think I am picking too high in the lock a lot of the time and missing the pins however I am going back to basics and simply practicing finding the pins up and down the lock without tension. This has helped my positioning of the pick in the lock and when tensioning I can feel some of them setting but no open locks …….yet.

I think I am going to buy some .4mm picks to help my progress (only have .6mm attamo) Is this a good idea at my stage of (lack of) progress?

The mechanics at Halfords think I am a bit weird if you know what I mean but 'he who dares wins' or in my case blags some wiper blades.

That's all for now.

John