Electric picks good for serrated pin lcoks?

[cbrxx]

I have an american pad lock I've been trying to open for a while now, manually. Would an electric pick be able to open this type of lock, if so which one do you reccomend?

[randmguy]

I honestly have no idea how well an electric pick is going to handle serrated pins. I think it was HeadhunterCEO who recommended spraying American locks with WD-40 before trying to pick them. I've tried it and it makes them a whole lot easier to deal with. I'd say try the lube route before I invested $100 in an electric pick.

[cbrxx]

I read that post too, and tried the wd-40. But still no luck. It seems any little pressure I apply binds the pins.

[CaptHook]

Flood it, seriously. Wrap an old rag around it and flood the keyway for a few seconds.
Chuck

[S3rratedSp00L]

I have been picking Americans for a while now, and it took me weeks before I could even open one. I still cannot open one that a friend of mine has. I tried the WD-40 and it does help! But I let it dry out overnight before I picked it... I have picked these wet with WD as well, so I would say to try it both ways.

What I have noticed is that all the American brand padlocks that I own seem to have at least one deep cut/long pin... This may or may not help you, but I figured I would mention it anyway. If the pins seem to be binding then maybe it is just the serrations messing with you! I had that same prob and found that tapping the pins and bouncing the wrench a little would give me a click or 2. but if not, I would move on to the next pin and try it again. If the plug moves at the same time, then it's prolly a spool or three.

I don't see why an electric pick gun would not work on these since I have seen one opened with a snap gun... the electric guns just use vibration to do the same thing from what I understand. (The pool ball effect, hehe) So if you get/make an electric gun please let everyone know the results! I probably won't come across an electric gun myself, but if I do then I will certainly try this out and let the whole world know

anyway, if you still wanna pick it......

I have a 5100, 5200, a series 40 and have also picked a series 20. My homemade tension tool doesn't fit all that well, so it's a real pain. These locks pick better with a solid fit, not necesarily tight, but you need some feedback even though most of the clicks are serrations which all of mine have. You need to be able to feel the difference between the serrations and when the plug breaks loose. It is really subtle. When I hear a click and I am not sure (or have been picking it for days) I will try to give it a push to see if it gives just in case. Also, I have a 5100 that kinda sticks a bit when I try to rotate the plug after it has been picked. I had a problem with the tension wrench binding as well that killed all feedback. Make sure your tension tool is not binding at all! very important.. I have sat and picked at one of these for like an hour only to discover that I had probably set all the pins 20 minutes prior and just didn't know it yet cuz my tension tool was binding slightly. Give it a good push now and then and you may be surprised

The 5100 and the 5200 that I own have serrated spool pins and serrated key pins, so expect some funny business. I repinned one with spools in all 5 positions and had a really tough time, but you will eventually get it if you do not give up. Just don't drill it till you can pick it! Then when you can pick it, don't drill it!

I dunno if this rambling will help, but keep tapping at the pins and eventually you will be able to recognize the feel even if it is more unconsciously than consciously. I am half awake by the time I get the thing open anyway. There are so many serrations that it is hard to feel the spools so just forget about them until the plug turns a bit without breaking loose. Then neutralize them!

Do a search for spools or mushrooms for e better explanation than I could give right now about how to deal with them, of course

These are my favorite locks right now because they are pretty darn hard to pick They are a real challenge for me.

[cbrxx]

I'm having trouble hearing if the pins are clicking or if its just the serrations. When I start picking from the back I can get it to turn 1/8" but no more.

[S3rratedSp00L]

Hmmm..... sounds like you hit a spool for sure If it is the on the farthest pin back and that is where you are starting from then make a note of how far you pushed it. When you think you know by memory how far to push to hit the spool then try inserting your pick all the way to the back pin with no tension and push it just a bit farther than that. Hopefully you will clear the spool! You may still have serrations to deal with (possibly on the other end of the spool, so don't be surprised if you hear a few more clicks. It may be quite hard to tell when it is properly set. This only comes from experience, but at least you can move on to ther pins knowing that you can get over the spool, anyway.

This may happen for other pins as well. Sometimes I find it hard to tell the difference between spools and serrations with american brand locks. The tolerances are pretty good.

A note about the serrations:
I find that there are usually 2 or 3 serrations on the key pins (bottom pins that would normally touch the key) and possibly more for the top pins. I have spools with serrations in mine and they are serrated on the top and bottom of the spool (the wide parts) When I get bored I like to count them, hehe This may or may not help you get a picture in your head about what is actually happening in the cylinder when you pick it... If counting helps then do it, otherwise just keep tapping pins and feeling for clicks.

Anyway, if you are having trouble hearing the clicks, don't worry about it! You should be *feeling* the clicks! Hearing them is good too, but feeling them is better in my opinion! Try it and decide for yourself which is more important

If you don't mind looking at the key if you have one. that really helps when picking these I try not to, but it does help.

I hope you find this useful. Good luck! You WILL get it if you keep trying! It took me a week to get my first one and I am not new to picking. When you do get it, it's a great feeling of accomplishment!

[cbrxx]

I purchased a snap gun and used that for a while, but still no luck. I think its the tension, any pressure I put on the wrench makes the pins bind and not fall back down.

[S3rratedSp00L]

I have seen an American opened with a snap gun, but I have never been able to do it myself, yet.. The only snap gun I have is homemade.. Coat hanger style I can open kwiksets, and my brother's Brinks key in knob style door lock with it... Oh, and a couple cheap master no. 1's... I cannot get the ABUS or American locks that I have lying around with it yet.

With snap guns and probably electrics, I would say that the most important thing is that the lock is clean and the pins move freely. Other than that, a little tension and a lot of luck has been known to help.

By the way, what model of American are you trying? I have seen a 5100 opened with a snap gun of unknown model. The lock was also not attached to anything which makes a little bit of difference. still took quite a few clicks to pop it open

Hmm... I am trying to envision what goes on in a lock with nasty bitting, spools, serrations etc.. when it is being snapped. Maybe upping the tension on the snap gun itself would help in this case since there is no clip at the top like in a kwikset. You may risk overcompressing the springs a bit, but you can get some new springs or pull on them a little if that happens.

I need to make a homemade snap gun with a little more snap!