New MasterLock Troubles

[NickGT]

I'm decent at SPP'ing deadbolts and even the one's with moderate security features like Schlages with the 4 spool pins. But I've had a lot of trouble with the very new masterlocks it seems like the springs are so stiff I can't feel what I'm doing. One in particular has been a real issue for me. It's a MasterLock Magnum Solid Body with the boron shackle and re-keyable features. I've seen it picked many times on youtube and the like. Does anyone have experience with these "magnum" locks that could provide some knowledge to a newb?

Thanks in advance!

[clearmoon247]

As far as that one is concerned, from what I've read on other threads here, the real trick is very light tension. I don't personally know if that's the case, as i don't have that lock, but, after reading about it, I plan on picking one up in the next couple of weeks. I am intrigued by the re-key feature and how the mechanisms work with that. Also, master get's an A+ for design for finally moving over to a double ball locking system for their padlocks.

[MJK_Tool]

Oh those magnums. Semi-circular body but flat on the bottom? Those look like SFIC but they aren't any SFIC I've seen before. I have actual Master cores that will drop into a Best system and those don't look anything like that.

[raimundo]

I haven't tried that series of masterlock but if others have picked it on U tube then yours may simply have a difficult bitting with long pins in the middle and short ones deepest in the lock.
two locks of equal series can be very different in picking and when there is trouble picking it usually comes down to long pins and short pins.

certain bittings are just very good at resisting picking especially if the picker is unaware of the long and short stuff and even being aware, its not easy sometimes.

[NickGT]

I haven't tried that series of masterlock but if others have picked it on U tube then yours may simply have a difficult bitting with long pins in the middle and short ones deepest in the lock.
two locks of equal series can be very different in picking and when there is trouble picking it usually comes down to long pins and short pins.

certain bittings are just very good at resisting picking especially if the picker is unaware of the long and short stuff and even being aware, its not easy sometimes.

Rai, I think I have some of your bogota's. If you're the same raimundo.. excellent little set!

Any advice for tough bittings? I have a practice lock I setup as you said and it's true I have trouble with hooks and deforests not disrupting the pins around each other when they are very dramatic differences in depth.

-Nick

[NickGT]

Some Photos of the key if anybody's interested. It doesn't seem that dramatic but the keyway is tight. Also another setup I have that's proven to be tough for me.

http://twitpic.com/9mf1y3

http://twitpic.com/9mf2c5

[clearmoon247]

I would say that that configuration is slightly advanced, because the front pin is much longer than any of the others, so that can make picking that one a real pain to say the least. My second lock cylinder was very similar to that, but the last pin was a long pin as well, so it was long, short, short, short, short, long
So, i know that feeling of frustration and not being able to pick it.

[raimundo]

make yourself a sabana for picking that bitting. looks like this ______________/\_______/\
and its made for that problem.

[clearmoon247]

Do you mean like this: