This keyway shape is a nightmare! (Pictures)

[insomniac]

Hello everyone,

I'm included photos of one of the locks on my front door including the key, never included photos with a topic before so I hope I do this right!
It's a DOM 5 pin cylinder lock. I'm not sure what kind of pins exactly are used inside this lock and to be honest I don't think it would really matter; the keyway is has been shaped to make it especially difficult to manouvre a pick around in, I keep bending the pick trying to reach the pins. I can barely even make contact with the pins using a slimline hook pick.
Any suggestions/comments much appreciated.
Thanks, kind regards,
Insomniac.

[scampdog]

Try making some picks out of junior hacksaw blades,i've made a few, and they are quite good for tight keyways,remember not to use to much tension, or the picks will bend.

[EvoRed]

I've opened these with the Wendt gun with not many problems. Isn't a very nice keyway though, granted.

[mickgr]

looks possibly like a restricted profile on it insomniac so you would probably struggle with normal picks. i wouldnt lose sleep over it.

[illusion]

Hmm... well sand your picks very smooth first - I've found this helps them glide into the lock, and since you're in risk of getting jammed in the keyway it's a good idea.

I'd imagine you'll be picking security pins, but it seems possible.

P.S: use 'wet-or-dry' sandpaper - it will leave them litteraly mirror-like. I'm on a crusade to preach the wonders of wet-or-dry.

[insomniac]

Thanks everyone for the replies!
Yet again i'm hearing more good things about the Wendt pickgun; sounds like an indispensible tool for the locksmith.
I've never heard the idea before illusion of sanding the picks with wet or dry sandpaper until they're mirror like, it might be worth a shot to see just how effective that is.
Thanks again for the help everyone .
insomniac.

[illusion]

Yeah... I found before sharp burrs on my Southord picks were catching on the wards when picking paracentric keyways, but when all the edges were nice and smooth it made life much easier... Give it a go on one of your picks and see the difference.

Rub the sides of the shaft, the eges of the shaft (why am I sure someone is going to make a dirty joke from that?) with it untill you can slide it across your hand with ease.

A good test is to take an untouched Southord pick and rub the pick and shaft accross your fingernail - as it stands it will scratch your fingernail, and you'll see the marks it makes. When you have sanded it down enough it will leave no marks on your fingernail.

The wet or dry sandpaper I used was Silicone Carbide, and I picked it up for about a quid - I've used a single pack of 4 sheets to do all my picks, cut-away padlocks, and some tools I have made.

I'll post a photo of one of my picks that have been sanded down later if I remember - if I don't please remind me since I have been a bit preocupied recently.

Cheers,

Ben

[raimundo]

Photos of your key on a lock site are not that secure, how many people here can identify the keyway, (on yours, I can't) and even with some knowlege of the cut depths actually cut a duplicate. This is not out of the question, so don't put your address out, they say the internet is a scary place. and you may even want to change that euro out sometime for a different one. if anyone else is thinking of putting a photo of their door key on the site, perhaps you should substitute it for a key that is similiar to your door key or simply not identify where it fits.

[scampdog]

as you can see from my previous posts, i am a total advocate of wet and dry paper, but to really finish them to a mirror finish,use duraglit.