(189) How to Detect and Beat Spool Pins (for Beginners)

Learning how to pick spool pins can be confusing. In this short video I'll show you how to DETECT them, ATTACK them, and ultimately BEAT them. Using a simple "deflection meter" will easily demonstrate how spools react to picking, which will help you beat those nasty spool pins.
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[@SchuylerTowne]

This is fabulous, Bill! That chart & weighted wrench setup is absolutely inspired. Really nicely done!

[@Digitalsharecropper]

Couldn't agree more! Never seen anything quite like that but what a fantastic idea

[@petalbacon235]

I got to agree. This was inspired!

[@eastcoastnews9529]

Schuyler Towne I’m a picker and bill is by far a amazing teacher.

[@logankeneth5237]

Blown away at how instructive this is

[@timhaugen6410]

Yeah, great visual for me and my fellow newbs.

[@the_rahn]

I FINALLY undesrtood all those feedbacks, false sets, counter-rotations and what not that lockpickers mention all the time. Excelent video, thank you very much!

[@gerbenvanessen]

Wishing to add my own thanks to this, the little idicator in the vid really helps.

[@greetswithfire1868]

This was a great presentation. When a pin "raises his hand" it's the one binding and you should get some counter rotation.

[@plankhill]

If you understand the mechanism, you understand the feedback, and why it happens. Mr. Bill has done a BRILLIANT JOB of a visual that shows exactly what you are feeling with a spool. Cant wait to do my first one with the bill knowledge ..

[@jimberlygridder183]

I understand most of what hes saying. Still dont get what.." false set" means.

[@stevegilette9606]

Your ability to distill what you are feeling into a quantitative format for beginners to understand is astounding. You're a true credit to the industry.

[@premnas651]

The quality of Bill's videos from over a decade ago are amazing!

[@indecentseas-]

The Bob Ross of lockpicking.... Fantastic video!

[@marshmellowcookie6860]

Set those happy pins. Oh the last one is lonely, set him to his friends

[@fineartonfire_5327]

Use your happy lockpick on this friendly stream of spool pins. :-)

[@baldsteven]

Haha that's! Rob Ross of lockpicking 😂

[@sethrenville798]

We will miss you, Bill. I'm glad you get to spend more time with your family, now!

[@visionstills3700]

My highest compliment, subscribed. Great job. I owned a locksmith shop for years but have been retired for a long time now. Your instructions (with the chart on the box) would have been a godsend when I was learning the trade but the deal back then was "Practice Until You Master It or Give Up Trying". And the locks were mostly simpler then. Mostly 5 straight cylinder (bottom) pins without spool top pins. We called them cylinder pins and top pins. In our shop the standing (internal) motto was "Pick it for a few minutes then drill it or cut it - the customer pays about the same either way". While not entirely true, a new lock costs more than making a key for the old lock or recycling it somehow, we were usually more pressed for time to get to the next customer than to deal with a stubborn lock. Drilling or cutting is quick but the lock becomes near-worthless scrap metal (it has almost zero scrap value). Most locks will give way in the first minute. The rest can take a minute or two more. After then we would break out the drill, saw or bolt breakers and 'Get Er Done Right Now'. (Unless it is an automobile, of course. That is a whole 'nother can of expensive, hugely profitable, worms). Folks may flinch on a $100 tab to get into their house but most wouldn't bat an eyebrow at dropping $200 or more for regaining control of their car. And that was "way back then prices". Probably costs more now. Spool pins were advertised for many years as "Pick Proof Pins". Then downgraded to "Security Pins". I don't know what they refer to them now-a-days, maybe "Pick Resistant Pins"? Really enjoy the series, bosnianbill. Thanks.

[@bosnianbill]

Not a lot has changed then... TIME is still the deciding factor. If a rake doesn't open the lock in a few strokes, most locksmiths I know just drill it. No sense in spending 30 minutes on a failed pick, only to have to drill it anyway. Lost time that is difficult to charge for so most guys just cut their losses up front. Thanks for the comments! bill

[@bosnianbill]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mmSrY6WBYph5l7M

[@MrTheHillfolk]

VisionStills Yes me too, I've watched a bunch so far though. Did he get the intro music from party boy on jackass? I wanna dance, because locks.

[@visionstills3700]

It seems the more popular videos attract more bots that tripwire the thumbs down tab. Seems like everyone except me has a search or "spider" bot these days. A very good chance a human didn't leave the negative vibes as every typed comment has been positive.

[@BrianLancasterMoralTurpitude]

H

[@nephikemper5157]

Congratulations and best to you and your family in your retirement, Bill! Thank you for your dedication and contribution to the trade and craft. Good bless.

[@bosnianbill]

No, the placement of your tension wrench is really a personal preference. Sometimes the top is better when the keyway is small and you need extra room to work.

[@AlphaFoxtrottMike]

The absolute best way to describe and show this. I was getting destroyed by spools because I couldn’t tell which one was ‘begging to be picked’ Thank you so much BB

[@justsomecommentchannel8602]

Locksmith: "Let's add these spool pins to enhance security" Bill: "I love spool pins because they tell you when they need to be picked, they make our job easier" Locksmith: "Am I a joke to you?"

[@Kevin_KC0SHO]

This is the best video I've ever seen explaining the process of picking security pins. I've watch this several times and it never gets old truly fascinating. Please keep up the great work several of us really appreciate it.

[@Ryusuta]

What I'm hearing is... Step 1: Get a false set Step 2: ??? Step 3: Profit!

[@strangeandwonderful247]

This is one of the best, if not the absolute best, explanation of spools that I have ever heard and seen!!! This is exactly what KZbin lock pick channels should be!

[@bebop6544]

I hear you're hanging up your hat here on KZbin! We've never met, but you are a dear personality to me (and so many others) all the same. I'm sure your patience, ingenuity, and humility will continue to serve you well, especially with kiddos. I'll do my best to stay legal, but no promises.

[@garret1930]

4:05 " We're going to use top of the tension key way " Locksmiths: they're reverting back to thieves' cant! quick, get the linguist!

[@dlwatib]

Linguist: Sentence doesn't parse properly. Should be "We're going to use top of the key way tension."

[@echothehusky]

Didn't even notice! Brain automatically corrected it in my head!

[@HelloKittyFanMan.]

Nope, @@dlwatib. It should be "We're going to use top-of-the-keyway tension."

[@litterpicker1431]

While amateurs use bottom-of-the-keyway tension, and pros use top-of-the-keyway tension, Bill operates on a level beyond most mere mortals, and uses top-of-the-tension keyway. One day, we will understand.

[@adamarzo559]

This video is amazing. I have some cheap piece of crap lockpick set from eBay and I kept bending them trying to force pressure onto the pins. After watching this I actually understand what's happening and I was able to pick this Lockwood Assa Abloy 120/30 I have laying around a couple of times after spending some hours over the past couple of weeks not knowing what's happening. Your videos are simply the best.

[@A1BASE]

This is a BRILLIANT gizmo. I need to make one. Quantifying feedback is huge.

[@choochoochooseyou]

This shows me I'm still using too much pressure even when I think I'm going light. Excellent tutorial, Bill.

[@pierdolio]

Brilliant! Your device is a work of genius! It showed not only where the spool pins were showing up but also, and in my opinion most importantly, how little pressure on the wrench is required.

[@eastcoastnews9529]

Bill you are the BOB ROSS of the picking world . I can watch your teaching videos all day 👍⚒

[@Szederp]

I don't have locks. I never picked locks...but this video is so well made I just wanted to tell you that you should become an instructor. Outstanding job explaining things.

[@maxj9204]

I've found (as a beginner) that the best way to get a feel for spools is to make a practice lock with just 3 pins, all spools. it lets you focus on just the spools (less confusion than with 1 standard pin imo), and with only 3 pins everything is easy and feedback seems more exaggerated.

[@DubGDJ]

Thank you Bill. You helped me get my first security pin lock picked. Abus 55/40. Thanks for this tutorial. It was amazing.

[@mitchkelly]

AMAZING video! the visual scale was SO useful. Experienced lockpickers often say 'im getting feedback" or things like that, that to be honest, don't mean a whole lot to someone inexperienced like myself, but this is plain as day and makes the whole process of going back and forth between pins, pins dropping back down when you set others etc make so much more sense. I know the washer was tripping you up a bit because its not the same as controlling it with your hand, but watching you have to keep going back to pin 5, the non security pin, to reset it really drove home the whole technique for me. You should do a series of videos like this for all kinds of locks and pins!

[@Ghost_Os]

Bill, this was the video that finally got my head around spool pins, false sets, counter rotation, and all of that. To this day, I think of this video every time I encounter spools. Thank you for the wealth of knowledge you shared over the years. Enjoy your retirement, and time with family.

[@HeatherSpoonheim]

Best lock pick tutorial I have ever seen - thank you.

[@Kasperring]

I'm watching this 8 years after you made the video and it's still the most informative thing I've seen so far..!!

[@punkazz85]

Just beat a Master 140 for the first time. Feel great. Thanks Bill...

[@strangeandwonderful247]

This by far the best tutorial and leaning technique for the beginner. Thank you for this, sir.

[@19822andy]

After watching this it all fit into place. I now understand what lockpickers mean by the "feel" of lockpicking. Absolutely genius and n invaluable resource for beginners like myself.

[@jaffawho]

I'm a beginner and I have been stuck on a lock for ages and I couldn't figure out why. I now know thanks to this video that it had spool pins.

[@horseshoe_nc]

Absolute perfect way of showing feedback and counter-rotation. I was thinking I understood what I hear you and LPL say. And your indicator jig showed it perfectly.

[@syspangylium]

The lock manufacturers put in spool pins as a security measure to ward off lock pickers. Bosnian Bill: I love spool pins. They make the job a lot easier for us. Thank you, Bill, for a very informative and helpful video. And thank you for a huge number of great videos. Enjoy your retirement, you've earned it. Bless you and your family.

[@HenrikWigum]

This video would be even more amazing if the lock was transparent and you'd film the lock from the side and have the video of that placed right under the measure-thingy (the paper with 4 3 2 1 0 -1 -2 and so on) in your editing program. That way we could see how the pins and pools act meanwhile seeing how it affect the tension wrench, and give us an even deeper understanding of spools

[@plankhill]

If you have a need to "see" all of that, then you need to keep searching, the lock aint gonna be cut away with a graph, and all spools are not created equal . Not the point. If you learn what Bill has shown you, then you can gut the lock yourself, and understand more...

[@plankhill]

and if you dont know how a spool pin works, you might want to back up to the basics before this educational video.

[@dChad014]

Tony O no need to come at someone for saying something would be cool to see, when there are transparent locks.

[@barryfowler954]

@@plankhill Best one on the market i think guys, is the cut-away lock put out by Sparrows. Bill & LPL, & Lock Noob have all done reviews. You can even get them with the Chess Set pins.

[@AAAA-cn2qk]

@@plankhill L

[@invictusbp1prop143]

So glad to see this pop up in my feed today…. Was just thinking yesterday of how much I miss Bosnian Bill but I hope he’s enjoying his retirement.

[@teethslapper9031]

I've just started lockpicking as a hobby and I cannot tell you how valuable this video has been. I have a cheap four pin lock that is way too easy but I've been trying to pick a Brinks five pin and could not figure it out for the life of me. I've watched plenty of videos but your explanation about the false set and finding the balance with tension so you can feel the spool pin "talking" to you was the key, I was using entirely too much tension and just binding everything. I grabbed the lock while I was watching this and picked it for the first time in all of about 30 seconds and it was SO satisfying. Thank you.

[@Liberty4Ever]

Great video! Rather than a show off video, this was very much for the viewer's edification and education. The video not only explains how spool pins work in practice (counter rotation, interaction with non spool pin, etc.), the video also demonstrated the information that's gained by feeling changes through feedback through the tension tool. Such skills require practice to master. There is some subtle muscle memory learning in the process. Thank you for these great educational videos.

[@Daddypants11]

I've just begun lock picking as a hobby (even getting my family involved) that washer being to much weight is a beautiful reference point for me to work off of. I've watched a lot of your videos and really admire your skills along with how you have an awesome "Bob Ross esq" approach to lock picking and locks themselves. Many thank yous.

[@wolfsdenenterprisesllc9539]

The best thing IMO of this video is just how LITTLE pressure is needed to open a lock when picking. That washer doesn't weigh all that much, and as we've just seen, anything more than that weight will cause problems! Thanks for the vid! Great job

[@valensignis]

Work like yours will reach out and echo through the ages. Every person you touch and every person they teach are all better off for your uncanny ability to demonstrate and teach all of this.

[@haladinoforlaine]

A masterpiece of clarity, to add the graphic dimension in such a simple and obvious way. Thank-you for helping me to understand!

[@AK18bwheelz]

Thank you so much for this video. I'm a new lock-picker myself. Only for a couple weeks now have I been getting into the sport. I've been watching you and the other respected KZbin pickers, rounded up all the locks I could find in my garage, bought and fabricated a couple cheap sets, and gave her a go. I had some patient luck with various Master locks I found (a few No. 3s, a No. 4, a No. 5, etc. [many without keys]), however one I hoped would be easier was a 185D (without the key). Quick research revealed this lock had a few spool pins in it. I KNEW I was feeling my first false sets! Between this and the #locknoob video where he explained with the two spool pins and one standard pin in the cutaway lock, the counter rotation feel was perfectly explained, and I knew it as soon as I felt it. Big smile on my face when I got her. A big thank you from Alaska, and keep up the helpful videos and information. Know that it is appreciated.

[@polynom1al]

This is teaching at it's best. Showing the fundamentals behind the concept, explaining it in detail. Thank you good so much! You are awesome.

[@pamminer6000]

My boyfriend,fiancee, got me interested in this for a skill. I'm not good or even passible yet but it's fascinating.

[@bosnianbill]

I am an engineer... if there are negative numbers, there must be positive numbers... I'm sure its a rule. (Call it my anal retentiveness).

[@Dawwwg]

Balance is everything :)

[@JLF201]

I was wondering about that.

[@chrisblue1515]

When somebody really understands a technique, they teach is soooo well . Thanks Bill!

[@choochoochooseyou]

If you're a beginner and have yet to understand what is going on when the pick is inserted and pressure applied, STOP RIGHT HERE. This is a masterclass in what you need to be looking for, why it doesn't always work first time and especially just how little tension you need to apply. Bill, the steps you take to explain things is a real lesson to others.

[@richardalexander5758]

Great explanation of the counter rotation created by spool pins. Thanks!

[@nkdevde]

This video motivated me to have a go at a lock that I had *suspected* had spools and just this motivation together with "just send him home" enabled me to pick it! 4 spools and one standard pin.

[@doseofchaos6881]

This is by far the clearest explanation for what to feel for thta I have ever seen. Thank you so much for this video!

[@foxdie6932]

By far this is the best example for picking. Shows how little tension you need and how to release it when you set the security pins. Excellent job on this !

[@34Lyre]

Been hobbypicking for years now but this is the best video on spools I've ever seen.

[@jamesk8147]

This is probably the most informative video I’ve seen on the subject. The visuals help far more than a simple explanation does.

[@FirstLast-ux1mf]

You're a smart man. Not only for knowing all this but for thinking of such a great way to visualize what you'd feel. Thanks for the video

[@mturker100]

That chart setup of yours is so simple and effective it's frigging brilliant. You got yourself another sub for that alone. Thanks for all the work you put into these Bill!

[@mcalla113]

honestly. watching you struggle taught me more then when you just describe what you're doing, and 12 seconds later the lock pops. thank you. great vid.

[@chasepalagi7675]

What a terrific idea! This is about as close of an idea that you are going to get without physically doing it. Great job!

[@ricksflicks-]

This video gave me a moment of realization and now I can pick a couple locks ive never been able to open. Thanks Bill!

[@joem2110]

Brilliant idea with the visual aid. Makes a lot of sense.

[@11Kralle]

I have zero ambitions in doing this myself at all, yet is pure entertainment to watch.

[@Doom666R]

The best part of the video for me is the washer, it just shows how little tension you actually need for picking a lock, Thanks a ton Bill I really enjoy the information you share!

[@jrs0012]

About 2 months ago, I got serious back into lock picking when I used my set to unlock my neighbors front door kwik-set 5-pin. I recently bought an ultimate challenge lock, and watched this video prior to testing spool pins. I was incredibly surprised after watching this informative video how to set spool pins, the prior knowledge almost felt like cheating. I set 2 pins, 1 standard and 1 spool, and popped it open within the first 20 seconds! I have been able to consistently (in just 2 days) pop a 5 pin staggered hi-lo stack, with 2 spools. Single most informative video I've ever watched! Please keep it up!

[@jioneur58]

i spent all day long just keeping track of your greatly neatly explained instruction. once again it made me really enthusiastic practicing what i just learned here. great great job man.

[@TofranBohk]

This is a brilliant way to illustrate tension! :-D

[@Jon_Oh]

I only just got into lockpicking as a hobby and have been enjoying your videos! I stupidly started on a Master 140 (only spare lock in the house) and I just opened it thanks to your video. First time i've picked a lock i'm so happy!

[@grios36]

Thank you so much for everything you've done for this community! We are sad to see you go, but your family come first. I sincerely hope you are able to enjoy your retirement, for many, many years to come!

[@903Z1]

Great video , it's been years since I worked in the lock business (20+ years ) and I was wondering when the business went to spool pins, back in the mid 90's these were unheard of in the shop I worked at in socal. thanks

[@chrisl7228]

I think my girlfriend is now ready to start on security pins and watching this video is going to be step one. Thank you for all the great videos over the years

[@osenseijedi]

Much poetic, very lockpick, so instructing, WOW!

[@TrebleWing]

The engineering that went into this demonstration/presentation is phenomenal. 11/10!

[@ThacMan]

The most useful picking tutorial on the net.

[@hergetp]

This video singlehandedly taught me to pick open by ABUS 55/40 and 55/60 locks after months of attempts. Thank you and may you have a restful and happy retirement!

[@angelacus9434]

Now I feel I properly understand what is meant by false sets and alternating tensions (complete beginner trying to learn by youtube alone) thank you, this helps more than you know.

[@Jigsaw_442]

thank you so much. As a kid, I picked all sorts of locks but never had an understanding and every video I watched wasn't good at making it easier to understand. good job and that paper measuring tool you made is a good idea it helped so much.

[@dr.s.p.]

As ALWAYS you go that extra mile to explain, show and portray for everyone a true art form of feel and in this case, the absolute importance of the tension tool. Until now I just didn’t see (feel) it and now it’s like I’m through the last veil and the secret is revealed. So well done sir! Thank you.

[@chriswells1741]

Thank you for the explanation. I’m brand new to picking. Got a cheap set like 2 days ago. I had the brinks 60mm lock laying around with no key. After a few videos I figured out there is a spool pin. This video actually explains what that is and what to do. After watching I got that lock open in less than 5 min. Great video!

[@YoutubeluvsGroomers]

This guy is one hell of a teacher.Love your videos

[@imonnights]

Great video Bill... Thank you so much for having a visual on picking... You are a huge help to the community and NEVER Forget That Bill. 👍👍👍👍👍

[@dandanpete]

This video made it all click for me. I tried to pick a Master Pro Series with 4 spools and a serrated for 3 days. I watched this video and had it open a short time later. Great demonstration with the gauge and hanging the weight. It also made me realize I was putting too much tension on the wrench.

[@joshgirndt4896]

This helped me so much. I'm re-keying some locks that my dad had left over from the military that he lost the key for, and every one of them has at least one of the spool pins. One of the last one's I tried had (as you said) 4 spools and one normal pin. This made it so easy to understand, and I've gotten 3 unlocked in about 10 minutes!

[@tilberry19]

6:25 Your the Bob Ross of the KZbin lock pickers! lol (a good thing) Very patient. Great explanation! This video was VERY helpful! ty

[@tarushdei]

This is such an incredibly good tutorial. I've only been into locksport for a couple months now and am now challenging myself with security pins, and while watching you and LPL do your thing, I never understood the "how" of what you both were saying with regards to spools. This description of the feedback is amazing and I'm sure I'll be opening security pin locks very soon. Thank you Bill.

[@liquidrockaquatics3900]

This is the best training video that I have never seen until today. I just got my first set of decent lock picks and was trying to open an extra Brinks front door lock with security pins, and it felt like I kept having to re-set #4 about 8 times before it opened. It turned out I was using too much tension from the get-go, but if I had watched this first, I would’ve detected the spools. I suspect there might be a serrated pin as well, but I can’t gut it .. yet

[@juniorsolo9037]

Spool pin feedback. WOW. Great Job thank you. I belong to a local LOCKSPORT group and have watched hours of videos. And that's the first time i saw that crucial technique. Now show me how to make some of you torque tools.. Those things look sweet

[@Charlie_Echo]

That tension visualiser was a brilliant idea

[@philkieran7521]

Happy retirement Bill. This video was the one that really started my lockpicking journey. From here I opened my first American 1100 and a gege euro cylinder. Thanks for the great videos and hope you enjoy your free time

[@sparkinex1054]

I'm just getting into this hobby and your demonstration with the weight is absolutely genius.

[@titusdaniel]

Wow! What a great idea to visually demonstrate the finger feel of pins popping into place. Thanks so much for your expertise!

[@turb0m0nk3y]

Thanks to your vids I have learned that my major hurdle was tension, in the few vids that I have watched I have eased up on my tension and I am picking locks so much easier. In fact whilst I was watching this I managed to SPP my master 150 for the first time. Thanks again.

[@vamacharinchokyilodu2333]

Thank you for all the wisdom you have shared over the years. You are truly a great master of locksport.

[@VentureGroms]

This video is the reason I just successfully learned how to pick this master lock 130 with spool pins! Thank you so much!!! Those honestly are fun after you learn how to identify them!!!

[@TomLombardi]

I'm new to this hobby and I've been working on an Abus Buffo 28/70 for awhile, I was able to open it in 3 minutes after watching this video. This is a really great way to convey the feedback from the lock. Thanks for this great video!

[@CromemcoZ2]

That visual aid was a stroke of genius! Thanks, Bill! :)

[@Quadflash]

Clarity happens. Finally understand how spools work. Thanks!

[@leonwp60]

Brilliant inovation to clearly demonstrate the lesson. You are an excellent teacher.

[@2Rashma2]

Thank you so much, I just picked my lockwood 120/40, not only did I finally understand the spools I think my tension in general has improved. Been picking for 2 weeks now

[@timmcguire2741]

He's literally raising his hand lol, love it.

[@guardian257]

Pin 4, go home your drunk

[@allengassaway7727]

+sphinix rc I appreciate your humor

[@plankhill]

That would be the gatekeeper... pin 5 heheheh

[@plankhill]

Back in... going out... back in ...going out hehehe

[@UlsterHVF]

@@plankhill Pin 5 has to be female then! :D

[@leerichard7268]

Bill... you're a genius! This is such a clever way to show this.