Ever heard of these???

[pip187]

I'm a self confessed newbie, and am trying to get into my first 5 pin tumbler lock. Its called a 'Ruko' lock, and I'm not having much luck with it.

Can you answer me the following;

Why does this lock only have springs in 3 of the 5 pins?

Why do 3 pins have small spacers in them?

What are the pins serrated for (to make picking harder, and causing false setting?)

I dunno - I have removed all but one pin, and still find setting it difficult -- maybe a crap lock??

Sad and dejected;

Pip
ps. have picked other cheapo locks --- maybe a Ruko lock is too difficult for a beginner? --- do ya know and makes worth starting with (i'm in the UK)

[jeepster]

Is it something like the 500 series?

http://www.ruko.dk/visArtikel.asp?artikelID=243

[Varjeal]

If there's 5 pins there should be 5 springs, otherwise it's not a well put together lock. (meaning it's a piece of of junk.)

Not quite sure what you mean by spacers, but if you mean small flat discs between the bottom pins and the drivers, then those are called master pins, and it should make the lock easier to pick as it allows for more possible shear lines.

If the bottom pins have serrations or "rings" cut into them, then it makes the lock more pick resistant.

It sounds like maybe you should try something like a master 4 pin laminated lock, or a no-name lock that is similar, this one your describing sounds like nothing but trouble.

Btw, how did you take it apart?

[pip187]

I took the lock appart by sawing through part of the Hull where I could see the small brass 'bungs' that hold the pin assembly in, and then carefully filing down to the workings. Behind the first hole was a spring, then a serrated driver, then the small disk (about 0.5mm thick), and then a pointed key pin.

The 4th and 5th pin assembly's didn't have these small flat disks (which are all the same thickness, so I didn't think it was for a master key)

Sorry if my terminology is not very good, but am just getting to know names of parts.

Pip (struggling to pick his own nose!!)
ps. Thanks for the replies - they are much appreciated.

[Chubby]

Ummmmm! pick & mix my favorite...

[Varjeal]

The small flat disks do not necessarily need to be the same thickness, nor is it required to have one in each pin chamber. It only takes ONE masterpin to say that a lock has been master keyed.

You may have to measure those discs with calipers to see if they're the same size...they only need to be .005 or .010 of an inch difference to be different sizes.

Regardless, from your initial description, especially the missing springs, it sounds like you have an extremely poor quality lock. I would highly recommend finding yourself another lock.

Good job on tearing that one apart though. Now you'll better understand the inner workings of a padlock, and with that knowledge, it'll give you a better chance of success on the next lock you try.

Best of luck, and keep us posted.

[pip187]

After all the messing with that lock, I think my skills have taken a turn for the better. I bought a 5 pin padlock today, and picked it in about 2 minutes The feeling was one of great elation, especially as I could feel each pin setting.

Thanks again for your help and replies - but can you tell me the best way to dismantel a padlock (it seems to have 8 rivits going from top to bottom of the main body - should I just file off the bottom of thise rivits??)

I keep practicing with my original lock by putting just a few pins in at a time --- this is good fun aint it!!!??

Pip187

[Varjeal]

You're definitely right, it is a lot more fun. Actually, now that I've been in here a fair bit, I'm getting more interested in manual picking myself.

I wouldn't advise cutting those rivets off. You may want to buy a rekeyable padlock like an American 1100 series or something similar.

Happy picking.