FIRST WATCH Padlock

[CoyCaller]

A friend of mine bought me a cheap set of lock picks that came with a basic manual on how to pick basic padlocks. He knew that I liked to tinker with things and so he thought this might keep me busy. He was right... I love it.

I'm no master and after reading this site for a few days, I see that I am barely a novice. I have picked some cheap Master Locks, every door lock on my house, the lock that locks the combination lock on my gun safe, and some toolbox locks but that was all pretty basic stuff.

Anyway, I have a "First Watch" padlock. Nothing else is stamped on the lock. It is a brass lock. I cannot for the life of me single pin pick the stupid thing. I have wasted hours of my life on it. I can rake it open bun I cannot pick it open. I believe that at least two of the pins are spools or something as they jam up. I can't feel the binding pin and cannot feel a pin set.

Over all I am stumped and aggrevated. I have the same problem with the Master lock 570. I am sure that it is the spools kicking my butt.

Any tips would be appreciated.

Thanks, This site is awesome,
Adam

[CoyCaller]

Sorry, I meant to post this in locks. Sorry for the inconvenience.

[nostromo]

CoyCaller, welcome to Locksport!!

Just wait till you encounter a lock that a picking buddy opens easily but stays closed for you. Or vice-versa. Not to worry. You're doing fine.

I teach a Non-Destructive Entry course for Law Enforcement and that happens ALL the time. And FWIW, after 4-6 hours of presentations and practice with differently pinned cylinders and locks, the usual success rate is about 40%.

Just move on to other locks and come back later. Except to your house locks. Those you should leave alone.

For more practice you might want to look for a TOOOL/Locksport group near you, or buy scrap locks from a locksmith, auto recycler or salvage yard.

As to technique, do you look at the keys with the padlock to get an idea of SPP placement? I'd guess that the second or third cut is much deeper than the others. You might need a different profile hook to get the pins behind that one. You're probably able to 'slap' that longer pin up out of the way when you rake, but SPP'ing is a hard reach to push th ebugger up where it needs to be. Just a guess, tho.

Happy picking either way!

[CoyCaller]

Thanks for the welcome, nostromo.

After another hour last night, I finally spp'ed that lock. You are right, the third pin is as high as it can be and the fourth is down in there. Barely able to reach it.

Those 570s are tough. The pins sit really high. Figured out last night, all I have to do to get them open is insert my half diamond and rock it up and down 2 or 3 times with really light pressure and it opens in about 5 seconds. WOW Makes a guy wonder why he locks anything. It just keeps the honest people out.

Thanks for the suggestions. I am sure that I will have more questions later.

Thanks,
Adam

[pyro78]

It just keeps the honest people out.

I know this line is not the focal point of this thread, but i just have to say. That is so true. Locks and giant doors will only keep the honest man honest, but is a dishonest man wants in he will get in no matter what you do to try and prevent it. As i read somewhere on here someone posted that a brick is the best pick (for a window).