A few months ago, my first post here was asking about some funny little brass discs I found in my ABUS 83 after finally getting it open. You fine folk set me straight right away, and also added that those master wafers make the lock easier to pick, and also ineligible for that belt category. I made a mental note of this, and decided I’d take them out and try picking the lock without them….eventually.

Fast forward to the beginning of November. I removed the master wafers with a threat that I’d get around to attacking this lock once again. I have to say, it really did seem to me that those wafers wouldn’t make much of a difference - good or bad.

I can confirm. I was definitely wrong. Tried three times this week, and finally got “serious” this evening and got her opened up. I had to take a completely new approach to picking that I hadn’t tried before. My picking hand had zero contact with the lock whatsoever. I’m not sure how, but I seem to have been inhibiting feedback while bracing my picking hand on the lock. Seems counterintuitive to me….but it seems to have done the trick.

Definitely time to invest in some more locks.

There's tons of material out there already but I made this for the classes I teach so I figured I'd post it in case it helps someone. Covers just the basics and lightly touches on security pins.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_ATy2L-S5bPHH0G9vYxRSS647CVkgtnm/view?usp=sharing

American Lock 1105 I got from a friend, and it has these letters on it, idk if its special engraving or if its factory standard and signifies something like pin configurations or when it was made

Been poking at this one for a little bit, but my .025 set hasn't been great for the keyway. Just got in my .019 set from Jimylongs and finally got it open in just a couple minutes. Really see why everyone recommends them, great picks. Next challenge for this lock will be getting my thicker Sparrows picks to get it open.

It seemed like every time I tried recording it, I couldn’t get an open. I guess it’s a little camera shy.

I’ve been practicing SPP by adding a random assortment of security pins into a lock, and I’ve been wanting to try pin-in-pin pins. Does anyone know where I can buy them? I’m fine getting a set of security pins but can’t seem to find any that include what I’m specifically looking for.

Background: I do freelance work for a couple of local contractors. I install home security and automation systems in new construction. I think getting licensed as a locksmith could add value to my proposals when seeking new contracts.

I'm looking at this course. Do you have any experience with them? Any better options out there?

I've enjoyed learning on my own and you guys have been a huge help. I'll take all advice from this sub and think through it fully.

Thanks for any advice you have.

9 out of 10 doctors recommend participating in the annual lockpicking charity raffle in some capacity. Studies indicate it has notable benefits to mental health, outward attractiveness, abstract reasoning, float picking, sleep quality, and annual income. Side effects may include societal improvements, community engagement, falling deeper and deeper into this time sink of a hobby, and abnormal dreams.

It's time for the 6th annual Lockpicking Charity Raffle! Over the course of the previous 5 raffles, the lockpicking community has raised over $175,000 for a broad range of charities supporting causes around the globe!

Of course, a large part of this is the prize pool--the carrots which drive these donations to untold heights by enticing seasoned and aspiring lockpickers alike. As always, this prize pool is entirely donated by the community. They can come from anywhere, they can be anything (within reason), and they can go to anyone who throws their tickets in the right pot (depending on shipping preferences). Everything from locks, lock picks, lock books, lock pillows, spaghetti, dental care, bath water, back rubs, and Disneyland vacations can and have been submitted as prizes.

If you would like to contribute prizes to this year's raffle, please DM me on Reddit (u/CorrectJeans) or Discord (@CorrectJeans#0891) with the following information:

• What would you like to contribute?
• What country are you in?
• Are you willing to pay for domestic shipping?
• Are you willing to ship internationally, and if so, are you willing to pay for international shipping (or do you have a maximum cost you are willing to contribute towards shipping)?
• Is your contribution intended for one pot or multiple pots?
• Pictures of your contribution are optional but strongly preferred

Prizes will remain at their point of origin until the end of the raffle, at which point each contributor will be paired with the winner of their prize. Consolidation of prizes to save on shipping costs and enable wider distribution is encouraged, but not required.

Contributors will be given a role in the LPU Discord that grants access to a raffle contributors channel, where people can show off their stuff and organize prize consolidation where appropriate.

Your shipping preferences and country of origin will be used to help group prize pots together, and that information will be labelled publicly on the prize pots. This is a necessity for running an international event like this, as it allows the prizes to remain distributed across the world, and allows people to choose where to put their tickets with full knowledge of what shipping costs they might incur if they win a given prize.

The prize contribution portion of the raffle will run from 12/01/2024 to 12/26/2024, and the donation phase will occur during the following month, starting on January 1. That little gap is necessary because otherwise this all turns into a giant last-minute mess.

Contributions will be distributed into a collection of prize pots. Starting in January, people can enter the raffle by providing proof of donation to one of a list of approved charities (additions welcome). Their donation will be converted into tickets which can be entered freely among the prize pots.

If you have any questions about any part of the prize contribution process, how the raffle will be run this year, or want examples of previous prizes, feel free to reach out on Reddit or Discord.

Big shoutout to mgsecure, NiXXed, and tonysansan (creators of lpubelts.com) for helping build a new home base for the raffle this year!

I have one laying around and was thinking about trying to lockpick it. I was wondering if those had anything special or some different techniques or if they were normal

Im looking for some not very expensive kits of lockpicks (not chinease please), to buy in Europe, so no Covert Instruments (unfortunateley) some advises??? Im quite beggining, some basic experience only.

So I did a couple of low security padlock like this master 14 series, Garrison 30mm, stuff like that. What I should get next to have more challenge? Thanks

I'm looking to consolidate on green and into blue, so I'm looking for some good variety. I already have an Abus 72/40 (can pick consistently), an American 1100 (picked, but only able to rarely), and a PacLock 90A Pro (never picked). Spools are fun, but serrated gives me a headache still. What are some other good locks to round out my skills at this level?

Edit: Just grabbed a Yale 500 to be "spools, only harder". If there's a good "serrated, only easier" that would help.

Hope it helps. Anything in a small desk will shake so I just stick it on a wall. Now nothing blocking view.

Now just to get the control

Why is the Yale 500 a blue belt? I don’t have one but looking at the LPU belt system, the pinning seems similar to an abus 72/40: 1 standard and 4 spools. Is it the over milling? What does that do?

Hey whats up, I've been trying to learn to lockpick, but have no money to spare for a toolkit. So I got my old lock and 2 paperclips and I made the pick and tension tool. after trying for like an hour bro I can get the first 2 pins unlocked every time but afterwards it gets messy and I cant really understand WHAT Im feeling or how to lift the other pins. Any advice aside from buy a toolkit?

Got into the sport and am looking for new locks to get. I've got the master no3 and seem to catch on pretty quick. The practice lock from covert instruments is already to easy. Any suggestions?