Wickes ERA Euro lock

[Cpt_Tangerine]

Hi

I've just bought an ERA euro lock from Wickes. There are no marks on it to identify it as a particular model etc. other than Wickes' own product code which is 160 683, however they only do about 2 different versions of this lock. The one I've got is the grey/silver one in 35x35mm and cost £11.75.

Does anyone have one of these locks who could tell me how many, and what kind, of security pins this has? Obviously I could just take it apart and look but seeing as I've managed to pick it, despite there being some security pins in there, I'm inclined to leave it alone. I would, however, be interested to know exactly how well I'm doing and with what.

I've got two of these locks, and if there's only a couple of security pins I'll look to re-pinning the lock with more security, but if it's already got 4 or 5 spools out 6 pins then there's probably not a lot of point and I'll just get comfortable with what I've got.

Cheers!

[l618]

Pick it with slightly more tension than you usually do. If it has securities, it will false set at some point.

[Cpt_Tangerine]

Yeah. It's false setting fairly easily and giving me the big turn, and I can then get past the security pins to open the lock, but I was just wondering if anyone out there is familiar with this lock (and I know it's not a lot to go on), to tell me how many security pins there are.

I would estimate 2 security pins as a) it's pretty easy to pick, and b) it seems that that's how many I'm having to go back and work round, but I'm not really experienced enough to say for sure just yet.

[l618]

If you can get it to false set, just count the 'squishy' pins, the regular ones would just be free in their chambers and hit a roof, securities would give that typical counter-torque. Identifying types is a bit tougher. But if the false set is big, you can usually assume there's no serrations. Distinguishing spools<->mushrooms is harder, but it's usually safe to assume spools.

[Bump]

Wicks use ERA and rebrand them for their own stores. If it is a matt finish, brushed steel, then it may be an ERA.

[Cpt_Tangerine]

Cheers. I'll give the squishy pins a count

[Cpt_Tangerine]

Hmm. The problem I have with the squishy pin counting, is that I don't seem to be able to get the lock to false set without first getting at least one of the security pins down

It's annoying. I think there must be three in there, but really I'm just making an educated guess.