Info on a Basic Padlock

[far2picky]

Hi there. I got my hands on a new lock today, but its brand seems pretty backwater and I'm not entirely certain what I'm dealing with.

All it says is "Made In China," and "50mm." I read somewhere else on this site about a 40mm "Made in China" padlock that they've typically got mushroom spools. Is this true? Another said that they're warded and need to be handled a different way. Any other details would be helpful, or a site that has details.

If pictures of the lock/keys would be helpful, feel free to ask and I'll take some. Thanks.

[2octops]

Please post pics. We can not see it from here.

[far2picky]

Picture of padlock with key:


Picture of base:


Thanks again.

[nothumbs]

Looks like a basic low end pin tumbler lock. Are you having issues opening it? Not likely to have any type of security pins. Try picking CCW instead of CW.

[valeguy]

I agree with nothumbs, it's unlikely to have any security pins. The locks you mentioned in the original post that have security pins are probably Tri-Circles, which also have "Made in China" on them.

[Bob Jim Bob]

Also remember that it might take more pressure to open the lock than it takes to just pick a cylinder.

[raimundo]

I believe that these locks do have security pins in them. I have picked them and they do reverse when you lift a bound spool.

to get one open quickly there are several bypasses that could work from shims, looke at the shackle and see if it has notches for locking dogs on both legs, if only one leg, then shimming is probably easy,
these locks can also be opened by working through the keyway to pry back the locking dogs.

nothing really high security about them but they do resist picking a bit.

[mhole]

picking padlocks CCW is not really helpful, at least not in terms of getting them open....!

[shanny19]

The through the keyhole bypass on these is very fast.
Insert an offset/deforest diamond in the keyway upside down.
Feel for an opening that allows the pick to go in deeper than the typical depth of a Master M1 key.
Rock the pick so the handle leans back towards the pinstack, and the tip of the pick pushes forward. POP.

[far2picky]

Also remember that it might take more pressure to open the lock than it takes to just pick a cylinder.

This is some of my problem. I have to put an ENORMOUS amount of tension on it to simply feel any pins catching the sheer line. It seems like the cylinder itself has a certain 'give' to it, where it resists turning of the lock but not due to the pins. I don't really understand. Am I supposed to just bombard it with tension? And how will that scale vs if I have security pins? I thought I'm supposed to tackle security pins with feather-light tension?

picking padlocks CCW is not really helpful, at least not in terms of getting them open....!

Also I have the key and know what way it opens through my own testing. I know I'm picking it in the right direction!

While shanny19's bypass method sounds useful and certainly something worth knowing, I purchased this padlock for no reason other than just trying to learn how to pick it. Unfortunately, it's still giving me a lot of trouble despite numerous efforts and coming back to it, and so I'm looking for a bit more concrete advise on how I can tackle this.

Starting simple -- can anyone tell me (by looking at the picture I took of the key) how many pins it has? And how I can determine pincount from the key? I apologize if I missed such an explanation on this site somewhere previously (and would appreciate even a link to such a thread). From there, is it just a matter of applying a lot of tension as I pick? And (as asked earlier), if I apply a lot of tension won't that mess with security pins?

Thanks.

[Aldenrenfrid]

Starting simple -- can anyone tell me (by looking at the picture I took of the key) how many pins it has? And how I can determine pincount from the key? I apologize if I missed such an explanation on this site somewhere previously (and would appreciate even a link to such a thread). From there, is it just a matter of applying a lot of tension as I pick? And (as asked earlier), if I apply a lot of tension won't that mess with security pins?

Your lock has 4 pins, using a M1 key way. Likely a cheapy Master Lock knockoff. 2 easy ways to determine pin count, firstly, look at the key closely and identify all the flat parts cut into the key. These are where the pins rest and therefore how many you have. Also, any key that looks like that, and is the same length will likely belong to a 4 pin lock, as a M1 Keyblank only has 4 cuts on it, unless its a homemade or nonstandard lock. But I've never run into one that has more. Another easy way to tell is take your tension wrench handle and use it to lift up all the pins, slowly pulling it out of the lock without applying tension. You should hear each 'click' of the pin falling back into place and that will give you your pin numbers.

As for the 'How much tension" question, it's difficult as, simply put, a lot of locks just require stupid hard amounts of tension to turn. One thing to look out for is make sure your tension wrench is not dragging out the bottom of the keyway, on the actual housing, as this could increase it.

Apply just enough tension until you see the plug shift then stop, that means somewhere, its binding, and you should be able to feel it. If you can't then unfortunately yes, it may just be a lock that you have to tension hard to pick. Some, not many, but some are like that.

I am doubtful your lock has security pins. But if everything is set and the lock is still not opening it may. At that point try pressing a little harder on each pin, testing it. If you feel increased tension that's called counter rotation and is often indicative of security pins.

Hope this helps and good luck!