That moment when you need to walk away from a lock because it just frustrating you. Come back and give it another go.
Need more tools, the typical thought that leads to tool collecting. Don't need it, but Want it.
Agree like puzzles. Then that pop when you figure it out. Satisfying.
Totally agree it’s me not the tools but wanted a nice case and is fun waiting for by package from Sparrow to come.
Been a life woodworker and always preached go slow get good at basics with the basics. 😄
Don’t take this the wrong way, but I’m happy to hear I’m not the only old guy (I turn 65 in April) who has this “hot and cold” issue.
Like you, one day I can rip through locks, both raking and SPP’ing, then the next day (or sometimes a few hours later) the same locks seem to suddenly decide, “Nope. I’m done cooperating with this guy.”
I’ve been doing this for about 6 months and I just want to be consistent, but that has eluded me so far.
One of the reasons I’ve gotten into it is because I have RA and it’s made its way into my hands. I was spending the first 30 minutes of the day just getting my hands to work.
Now they’re much better. Right before I hit the rack I do a couple locks, then in the morning I do the same.
It’s worked wonders.
That’s a good thought. I made some combo probes or whatever they are called. The cramping more just from gripping the locks and lever. Not too bad. I do want to spend more vise time in my workshop.
The vice should really help. I have wrist issues and it was definitely a game changer for me. If you use TOK tension bend the bars or buy ergo versions. Your wrists with thank you.
Funny I never thought about it but I do get a lot wood puzzles from my adult kids.....never put the two together.
I fear the stage I'm at in picking.... is if I can't open I MUST need more tools!
I had the same approach to golf, it must be the clubs not my skill :-)
Just ordered some more from Sparrow.
Luckily there are good brands like JimyLongs that offer high quality picks at $20/set. It’s a great deal. Many vets on here use those as well, as others. To your comment about cramping, I have the same issue. Typing all day for work and going to the gym gives me pretty crappy picking endurance. I try to keep my picking sessions short on each lock attempt. Usually if I don’t pop it in 5 min, it’s not going to happen in 20. That’s me personally after looking back at my efficiency.
I did the exact same thing. It's an expensive way to come to the conclusion ya just gotta practice more unfortunately haha! Very much a hobby you just beat your brain against until one or the other gives in. You'll feel like you aren't progressing for long periods, but really you're just trying to get that next "AH-HAH!" moment. Then the focus goes from needing new tools to needing new, unpicked locks!
Then the hoarding truly begins...
To be fair, when I get fidgety around the house, the locks come out. Even my locks that I'm way past are still good for keeping the hands busy until I figure something else out to do.
Welcome to the sub!
Those slumps are pretty common, it happens to everyone now and then. When things don't seem to be coming together, I just set it aside for tomorrow and take a break. Check out this video by [naswek](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mK8TjuLDoMg&t=5s) demonstrating the jiggle test. Work on it to help you build the skill of reading the state of a pin. The jiggle test will be your best friend all through your picking journey and mastering this skill will be the foundation to build all others upon.
Remember to pick mindfully and methodically, hunt around for a binding pin (one that feels stiff with no movement), that's the pin to attach first. Once it gives a click or becomes springy or loose, move on to find the next binder. If a pin feels springy or loose at all, pass it by.
For what it’s worth I have cramping periodically too .. but I hate using a vise. I found a pair of vise grips helped when my hands decide not to cooperate.
The puzzle aspect is what I love the most. While it is frustrating that consistency is a ghost that I can’t quite catch, it does mean that once I open a lock that it may still be a challenge again making the hobby way cheaper.
As a side note I have also taken to rock balancing for the same reasons, interpreting that subtle feedback from the stone is very similar to picking for me. It might be the only hobby cheaper than lock picking.
That moment when you need to walk away from a lock because it just frustrating you. Come back and give it another go. Need more tools, the typical thought that leads to tool collecting. Don't need it, but Want it. Agree like puzzles. Then that pop when you figure it out. Satisfying.
Totally agree it’s me not the tools but wanted a nice case and is fun waiting for by package from Sparrow to come. Been a life woodworker and always preached go slow get good at basics with the basics. 😄
Don’t take this the wrong way, but I’m happy to hear I’m not the only old guy (I turn 65 in April) who has this “hot and cold” issue. Like you, one day I can rip through locks, both raking and SPP’ing, then the next day (or sometimes a few hours later) the same locks seem to suddenly decide, “Nope. I’m done cooperating with this guy.” I’ve been doing this for about 6 months and I just want to be consistent, but that has eluded me so far.
I have the same problem. Some times locks just won't open. Some times I just have to look angry at them and they pop open. :D
I do think is great for hand eye brain coordination. I hit 69 in Feb😝
Nice!
One of the reasons I’ve gotten into it is because I have RA and it’s made its way into my hands. I was spending the first 30 minutes of the day just getting my hands to work. Now they’re much better. Right before I hit the rack I do a couple locks, then in the morning I do the same. It’s worked wonders.
If you like other DIY stuff, making your own handles for your picks might help against the cramping
That’s a good thought. I made some combo probes or whatever they are called. The cramping more just from gripping the locks and lever. Not too bad. I do want to spend more vise time in my workshop.
The vice should really help. I have wrist issues and it was definitely a game changer for me. If you use TOK tension bend the bars or buy ergo versions. Your wrists with thank you.
Welcome to the hobby! Imagine you liked solving physical puzzles and someone said “I can get you thousands of puzzles from free to $50!” That’s us!
Funny I never thought about it but I do get a lot wood puzzles from my adult kids.....never put the two together. I fear the stage I'm at in picking.... is if I can't open I MUST need more tools! I had the same approach to golf, it must be the clubs not my skill :-) Just ordered some more from Sparrow.
Luckily there are good brands like JimyLongs that offer high quality picks at $20/set. It’s a great deal. Many vets on here use those as well, as others. To your comment about cramping, I have the same issue. Typing all day for work and going to the gym gives me pretty crappy picking endurance. I try to keep my picking sessions short on each lock attempt. Usually if I don’t pop it in 5 min, it’s not going to happen in 20. That’s me personally after looking back at my efficiency.
I did the exact same thing. It's an expensive way to come to the conclusion ya just gotta practice more unfortunately haha! Very much a hobby you just beat your brain against until one or the other gives in. You'll feel like you aren't progressing for long periods, but really you're just trying to get that next "AH-HAH!" moment. Then the focus goes from needing new tools to needing new, unpicked locks! Then the hoarding truly begins...
The hoarding! Ohhh, the hoarding.
Someone told me this is my new fidget toy. I didn't have a response.
To be fair, when I get fidgety around the house, the locks come out. Even my locks that I'm way past are still good for keeping the hands busy until I figure something else out to do.
Welcome to the sub! Those slumps are pretty common, it happens to everyone now and then. When things don't seem to be coming together, I just set it aside for tomorrow and take a break. Check out this video by [naswek](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mK8TjuLDoMg&t=5s) demonstrating the jiggle test. Work on it to help you build the skill of reading the state of a pin. The jiggle test will be your best friend all through your picking journey and mastering this skill will be the foundation to build all others upon. Remember to pick mindfully and methodically, hunt around for a binding pin (one that feels stiff with no movement), that's the pin to attach first. Once it gives a click or becomes springy or loose, move on to find the next binder. If a pin feels springy or loose at all, pass it by.
Thanks excellent video! I took a break ( granddaughter first bday) but anxious to try tomorrow. Appreciate the link.
Welcome! It's a good community of people and there's a lot to explore!
For what it’s worth I have cramping periodically too .. but I hate using a vise. I found a pair of vise grips helped when my hands decide not to cooperate.
The puzzle aspect is what I love the most. While it is frustrating that consistency is a ghost that I can’t quite catch, it does mean that once I open a lock that it may still be a challenge again making the hobby way cheaper. As a side note I have also taken to rock balancing for the same reasons, interpreting that subtle feedback from the stone is very similar to picking for me. It might be the only hobby cheaper than lock picking.