Sparrows Sidewinder and Bulk Pins

[@LockSpaz]

My kneejerk initial thought on the Sidewinder was, "Is this a solution looking for a problem? -You still have to gut it to change driver pins" but then I understood, this is simply targeted at beginner-intermediate pickers like me who should focus on challenging bittings and standard pins before getting into security driver pins and more advanced locks. But it lets you do that too, just without the crazy amount of convenience. I wasn't going to buy one but now I think I will. Yet another to my collection of Sparrows progressive and cutaway locks.

[@LockNoob]

👍👍

[@mateodunigan-atlee9571]

First thing i did upon picking this practice lock up was ruin all five original springs. Thank you so much for helping me fix that! The extra springs and other accesories are truly awesome.

[@ericvolkman3687]

Same! Lmao, glad its not just me. I thought i ruined it completely in the first 15 minutes

[@phoenixownsthischannel.977]

Dude.....same here, total noob at this hobby and destroyed starting springs almost immediately...how do you reload springs? Do I have to gut it?

[@DetectiveOlivaw]

@@phoenixownsthischannel.977would love to know the answer to this too, now I gotta figure out how to gut the thing and replace the spring

[@isabellam1936]

How did you all ruin the springs so I know how not to ruin them too

[@mateodunigan-atlee9571]

@@isabellam1936 Turning the key with no pins in. Cuts them right in half.

[@brucewaynecredit3447]

Just ordered the sidewinder, ABSOLUTELY LOVE the extra pins

[@chloedaniels]

I bought it before the video ended. Thank you very much for your insight. Hubby is going to love it.

[@LockNoob]

Wonderful!

[@William_Borgeson]

Now that looks fantastic, I love the jars of pins as well. I know what I want for Christmas this year, thanks for the review!

[@LockNoob]

You are so welcome!

[@clippo111]

As always loved your post, looks a great addition to my lock picking array. 👍🏼👏 thank you.

[@brianhignett8954]

Hi Lock Noob, risky ... particularly for newbies. As a Locksmith that has trained many apprentices, the empty plug WILL get turned back, then disaster. For some one that understands, just as quick to use a follower to change pins etc. Definitely a potential trap for beginners! Perhaps should still have grub screws up top ...

[@LockNoob]

I do think you need a decent knowledge of locks for sure. It’s very easy to mess up even as an experienced picker… I know because I do it all the time 😅😅

[@phoenixownsthischannel.977]

Thanks for saying this, I'm a total noob to this hobby and almost immediately destroyed the original springs...I didn't know you couldn't turn it without the pins....do I have to gut it to replace the springs?

[@brianhignett8954]

@@phoenixownsthischannel.977 I don't believe Sparrows have thought enough about new players to the game. Very easy to turn the empty plug back, driver pins are now pushed into the empty plug - and disaster. Springs then become mangled as you try to turn the plug, and every thing jams up. If you can remove the plug with the springs being mangled - could be a little tricky, you have to force everything, then the lock has to be gutted to replace springs and driver pins. This all could be avoided if Sparrows put grub screws in the top of the cylinder - at least you have a chance of pulling the springs out the top.

[@TheOneTrueMyth]

Yup, I'm a super noob and thought I dropped a pin out the 6th hole and added a new one in without a spring and now I can't get it open. 😑

[@Singsing001]

@@brianhignett8954 Basically did this. Very weird the tool needed to gut this lock is not included.

[@chriscapune7873]

I have to say I do like Sparrows products. I bought this to see what it was like. Very disappointing the one I received. The first key/pin combination worked fine . Buy after trying out two different keys they failed because the pins for those keys were incorrect. Poor quality control. If I were a beginner I’d be put off. What started out as a fun lock for learning was, at least in the package I received spoiled. Not being a beginner I used the correct pins of of a Lab pinning kit and that made the keys work again. One of the keys was close so I gave it 4 or 5 strokes will a file to correct it. Unfortunately pinning kits and filling keys are not things or skills a beginner has available. I would be interested if my package was a fluke or if others have had similar experience. 🐾🐈‍⬛🐈🐾

[@tonyambrose5679]

Very cool, I have the 3 original versions of the practice locks but that sidewinder is nice. I love that they're selling the bulk pins but I'll admit I love the little bottles almost more... lol. On a side note, not a criticism at all but the audio sounds a little blown out.

[@WobblingHobGoblin]

Hi LockNoob, really appreciate your videos. Question, is Sparrow's Kick Start pick set adequate to pick the sidewinder and its various bittings? Cheers

[@PappaTrond]

Interesting review - value for money, I'd say! But - note the audio quality - the mic volume was too loud and is breaking up a bit. Thanks for the great review!

[@noahbuddie]

Thank you so much for saying something! I flipped on the vid when I got on for the first time today, and freaked out wondering if my headphones were dying!

[@LockNoob]

Sorry about the sound. I’m not sure why it’s so bad

[@smb9854]

I like the idea behind this lock It will be handy to use if you do have some lock knowledge. The security pin bottles are a. Nice touch.

[@matt79de]

Great video, Ash. Not going to get me the Sidewinder though, as i have a Sparrows practice lock with all the extras. (And oddly, i find the process of a "normal gutting" somewhat more satisfying.) However, as You pointed out, they did put together a very neat and generous package. They really spoil their customers in that regard... 😊 I do love the bulk pins in their gorgeous little bottles...

[@LockNoob]

Fair enough!

[@LockFumbler]

Interesting concept for a training lock 👌 Very cool to get so many security pins nicely packed 👍👍 Thanks for sharing your thought on these products!

[@LockNoob]

Cheers my friend!

[@davidhart3133]

I got a sidewinder but it seems to just lock up with the slightest tension and I can not get an audible or tangible click out of any of the pins, they just seem to jam up. I get beautiful clicks out of all my padlocks!

[@waddac2]

Now that is a great little practice lock buddy. 👍👍

[@LockNoob]

Thanks! Stay safe my friend!

[@rydereckhardt7972]

I just got one of these as a gift, along with the reload set of three additional cores. I am disappointed that neither come with the tool to remove the the core, and really disappointed that neither come with any sort of insert to keep the internals in place when you pull out the core. I don't think they would sell quite as many of these if they also mentioned that they exclude the tools you are going to need to easily swap cores or add a 6th pin.

[@Reggaesickmix]

Enjoyed this. Why am I having so much trouble picking a simple S L door lock , with the Turner on one side. I have 3 locks , & haven't picked one yet. Any help would be appreciated, thankyou.

[@isabellam1936]

Get the sparrows cutaway standard lock. It will let you see what you’re doing wrong cuz you can see through the side

[@DirtyPlumbus]

Great bit of kit at an amazing price. 👍

[@OverlordMagos]

Man I wish I could get this training lock, it is reasonably priced too. But the shipping costs kill it for me :( it goes from 23 euros to like almost 70... ouch

[@LockNoob]

Ouch!!

[@23093034]

As an absolute beginner, I look forward to buying this. It's hundreds of locks in one (if you go from one pin to five, plus the different combinations). As for the three bottles, what do the different pins do in a lock? Maybe I missed that part.

[@SirMildredPierce]

They make the lock harder to pick.

[@23093034]

@@SirMildredPierce Thank you.

[@LockNoob]

Yeah, the security pins really do make locks different to pick

[@butchvandyk1051]

good day MR Noob just let you know the audio was a bit off... today... thank for the awesome video

[@LockNoob]

Yeah, I’m not sure why either

[@thegrafxguy1]

i have a feeling this will get taken down and re-uploaded due to the audio issues. mic is clipping badliy, levels are way too high.

[@chimp2k2]

The awful sound was the first thing I noticed.

[@SirMildredPierce]

He probably recorded it too hot and he doesn't want to re-record the whole video again. It was annoying at first but I got used to it pretty quick.

[@LockNoob]

I think it’s an upload issue. Either my end or YT. I think it’s too late to fix now 😞

[@martinward7239]

It matters not.

[@LockPickingLegend]

What gauge are the bulk pins?

[@paultowl1963]

Greetings! New subscriber. Been binging your content last couple of days. Thanks for the review. I am contemplating a practice lock, so I found the information useful. And that is a a cute idea packing in the pins in those little corked bottles. I’m more of an occasional picker but I enjoy it as a diversion.

[@LockNoob]

Welcome aboard!

[@TheOfficialDorianelevator]

the mic lol

[@jmacjr84]

Will this work with their reload kit?

[@LockNoob]

I believe it will, though I’ve not tried

[@jmacjr84]

@@LockNoob hey just FYI I got a email response from sparrow and they confirmed that the reload kit will work with the sidewinder.

[@OzTortoise]

Are all those bulk driver pins with the same length? What are their length and diameter?

[@roo1871]

Aim 7 sparrows. Aim 9 sidewinder. IYKYK

[@KnoxLocks]

Another cool review of awesome equipment 😁 Enjoy your weekend Ash😎👍

[@LockNoob]

Thanks! You too!

[@DaleSander68]

That looks slick! Should have got that kit rather than the cutaway I bought lol

[@isabellam1936]

I should I have bought the sidewinder instead of the CI practice lock. The CI one is hard to change the pins. The driver and key pins get stuck so each one takes about three minutes to remove because you have to bang on it with a lock or hammer they get so stuck but the sidewinder it’s way cheaper and they just fall out.

[@isabellam1936]

I have the same problem with the CI lock. I’m going to try watching it with warm soup and water to get the oil out and use dry spray lubricant and hope it helps the pins not get stuck so easy. I hope it works

[@derbmed1]

For my next shopping spree.

[@lililililililili8667]

So much quicker than the grub screw practice locks

[@chimp2k2]

But the grub screw version allows you to quickly change the driver pins too.

[@alwayslegit]

I’ve committed the cardinal sin, and turned the key way while empty, and it’s stick now. Can anyone help?

[@Leonslockpad]

Great video Ash mate your audio sounded a bit tiny 👍😊🇬🇧😎👊

[@LockNoob]

Sorry about that, not sure why either

[@jackfoxlock]

Check out Chris Capunes review of this product before you buy it.👍🦊

[@martinward7239]

I did. Why???

[@werbnaright5012]

Whoa. Audio though

[@LockNoob]

Yeah, I do t know why either

[@werbnaright5012]

@@LockNoob Hey! Off topic, but I just wanted to say that I really respect your video from ~3 years ago that show your EDC pouch. It seems 100% genuine, but I really wish you'd point us in the direction of buying that stuff. A lot of what is readily pushed on KZbin is overpriced and kinda not great looking when it arrives.

[@billcosgrave6232]

Cool!

[@LockNoob]

Thanks!

[@FriedPi-mc5yt]

I’m kind of surprised Sparrows didn’t have grub screws in the top so you could easily remove the springs and drivers.

[@LockNoob]

It’s a good idea. I think I’ve seen someone mod one that way

[@phoenixownsthischannel.977]

How do you replace the springs and drivers? Do I have to gut it?

[@FriedPi-mc5yt]

@@phoenixownsthischannel.977 Yeah, it looks like you do.

[@marqueA2]

Ah well, the bulk pins are all sold out already.

[@LockNoob]

Really!?!?

[@marqueA2]

@@LockNoobYup, and still sold out as of my last order yesterday. Did you see the new 'Pinnacle Coin'? Got one of those coming instead. :)

[@CatLover1532]

First comment, pretty cool training lock.

[@LockNoob]

Thanks 👍

[@doubleb222able]

The only problem with this is... it won't change the binding order.

[@khaledelsayed5357]

Terrible audio. Clipping galore