u/TC_Martin

My son wants to learn to pick and it made me really think about my collection of locks and what I’d give him. It also made me reflect on my journey. One thing I didn’t really learn until much latter is the jiggle test. I spent all kinds of time on tension.

So I’m asking for opinions for two locks. The first lock is a standard pinned lock without any security pins. The second lock needs to have basic security pins.

The catch is I’d like for them both to excel at teaching the fundamentals. Specifically the jiggle test and correct tension and great feedback. My ask of my son will be to use an approach like LPL to run through each pin, focusing on the jiggle test, and not just poking pins. I started by poking pins…

I got the above dimple lock. Took it apart and bumped the pad and now have a jumbled mess that I’m trying to get back together. I put the key in the core and have all the outer pins in what I believe is the correct orientation bc they are all flush with cylinder. I did the same thing with the inner pins and put it all back together. The key goes in and out of the lock easy enough but does not unlock. I believe my issue is the inner pins.

My question is when both the inner and outer pins are assembled and the key is in it, will it all be level with the cylinder? If not, how do you determine which inner pin goes with the outer pin?

Any help getting this back together would be greatly appreciated. Learning the hard way dimples are much more complicated than normal padlock pins when things get mixed up.

What’s everyone’s favorite lock to progressive pin? I have a few friends that want to learn and I’m trying to keep them focused on learning the jiggle test and build good habits from the start. I’m hoping to buy a few, pin them for them, and pass them out. Then they can trade and we start the process over when they are ready.

My initial criteria. Cheap lock with good keyway. Pretty standard pins, springs, and security pins. I personally think it would be cool if we could find the above in double sided euro cylinders to give them one side all standard and the other a mix of 1 standard and build the number of security pins as they get better.

This is all about ease for me, sharing the hobby, and enjoying adult beverages with friends. Everyone has agreed to put $20 towards the initial purchase.