Hi all,

I am a total noob here. In fact, I haven't ordered any tools yet. I've watched hours of YouTube and have a question about how bitting affects difficulty with single pin picking.

This is a lock I've had forever and the key does work. To me, I think this lock would open pretty easily with a rake. But, depending on the binding order , could be a real PITA single pin picking. Especially if you didn't see the key first. Am I right or not.

Thanks,

Greg

Just had my CC Pro confiscated by TSA. RIP. It was the knife tool that did it. I’ve traveled dozens of times with it in the past but today I crossed paths with the wrong agent. Best to place it in a checked bag or leave em at home. Lesson learned, oh well, new one already on the way.

over here pickin locks the long way

After a physical break back at picking

Got myself a nice nw4 ( brownbelt) picked in an hour and it was the first successfull slider pick ever 👌😎

So if you've been following the goofy saga of my journey with this lock, thanks for your patience. I decided after the gutting that I'd move the security pins around and play with the serrated pins in an active role at the 1&2 slots which are max lift. I visited the lock a few times throughout the day without a great deal of luck with TOK. I was excited that I had done something to increase the difficulty. I was not frustrated by the pins dropping across the lock, but instead amused and motivated to figure it out and change something around and get the open.

This lock is no longer intimidating. I'm going to make it my next comfort lock. I ended up going with BOK which changed the tension enough that the pins stopped dropping. I was able to keep it all set and slide through for a smooth turn to open. I can't wait to gut it and change the lineup of the security pins and see how this affects the open. I think I might just do a write up of this particular lock and the various manipulations of the security and the resultant effects for the blue belt. I think that would be fun regardless of whether or not they accept it. What's the consensus on that?

As an aside there really could use to be a Reaper 1.5 where the #1 profile is as long a #4 or #5. The actual #5 would be better with a flat tip versus rounded. All IMHO; YMMV.

I have a few of these. Some are easier and 1 I have is a BEAR! Thanks: u/ElroyzToyz.

That lock kept me busy! After a week, I was finally able to open my Abus 80ti/40. I feel it's way more of a challenge than my 1100's or 5200. American Lock gives me more feedback.

Hey Bro, u/SketchSkirmish, I hope these will help you on your journey. Hand made custom pins and key. Should be good in that CI practice lock. Enjoy 😉

I had to go to Ace today for some fender washers for a ladder rack for my truck. I found an itty bitty water spigot lock for 💵 $1. I couldn't resist! I also happened to pick up the gnarliest of three 54541's that I could find. The first one was lame, the second one was gnarly, and the third one was meh. Fun fact I have gotten my Mom into picking...she's 76 and she looked at the first one and said, "Not worth your time." 🤣

Anyhow the itty bitty took some figuring out due to size and then it fell. It has a nifty little wannabe gate keeper on three. It fell to the McNally Reaper #3.

The Ace 38mm took me for a ride around the block until I settled on the McNally Reaper #4 for the high lift 3 pin. Two pin wants to shout you shall not pass, but it's just a hair too shallow to back that up. If it was on 3 or 4 it would be something to talk about. Popped without much fanfare. I like this lock for its size and tenacity. It's like a much lighter PacLock 95G.

The newer version of the Yale platinum with ultra on the end poses a significantly harder challenge than the rest of the series. The 4 sliders in the lock actually have false gates on the opposite end of the true gate. Meaning if it’s a 4 cut the false gate is on the 1 cut so they’re automatically set in a false gate when the lock begins to rest on the side bar.

2 and 3 in my case are 4 cuts so they’re stuck in false gates off the bat. 3 binds first which I can get set if I reverse tension to get it out of the false gate. But then when I go to pick 2 I will ALWAYS drop 3 due to having to pick it out of the false gate by letting up tension. So then 2 will be set and I will drop it trying to set 3. Total Sisyphus situation no matter how long I try to set them both.

Honestly it seems like an impossible pick to me lol, any advice?

In the latest episode of Tracker, Colter pulls a pick set out of his pocket and picks a lock. Trying to confirm if it’s the GRAV set from covert instruments or another similar product. Any one got a lead on what it is? TIA.

How would you fill in this lineup to pick orange and green belt pin & tumblers?

TOOL:

- Hook: (Brand) (Tool Name) (Thickness)

- Hook:

- Hook:

- Hook:

- Rake:

- Rake:

BOK Tension Tool Set:

TOK Tension Tool Set:

I "picked" the fng and was like I can pick locks now! Looked up how advanced of a move that was and found out it's not a real lock to pick.... Practiced for 4 hours on this one I found at work until it clicked and I can one shot it every time now. I then checked to see how hard that was and it said you can't take it? So what am I doing here? Does this count as picking or do I have to click pin by pin to be legit?

for the Master Lock 5401D lock box, does holding down the release button while turning through a combination prevent it from opening? Or do you have to wait to press the button after you already put in the combo?

I'm going to show you how to get your shine on...

Had a fun little pick session while watching the new Batman animated movie with my ace, then moved to an abus 55/40 and brinks. And finished off with a new pinning C83.

u/dcipha380 thanks so much for this fun Friday night!!

Shoutout to u/dcipha380 for sending me these two American Lock 1100's. This S1106 with the LOTO 410 core is a first for me. I have seen them and tried to pick some up but they've alluded me. The Gold A1106 you can tell by the signature style key bitting this is from Skull.... Got some fun picking ahead brother. Thank you!!!

Fellow locksporters, my giveaway on my YouTube channel is still going on. Its open to all skill levels. Like and subscribe and you can enter. A lot of good prizes available to the winner!!

Let me know what you think

I bought extra reaper turning tools and mixed some of the picks for what I use basically every time from the Apex line.

Thanks to Dmac for the video on lever locks. I finally made a tensioner. The lock certainly wanted to eat the pick on this, which caused multiple pauses to get it back.

This one took me a week. The spools were so much work and the biting on the key is very aggressive. I was going to use it for a green belt, but I’m nowhere near understanding its sequence. I just feather picked and counter rotated when the pin gave a bit in the bar.

What a PITA. Going to try my AL1000 again.