I've read the newbie stuff, but now I have questions..

[ZiRo]

I'm from the UK, I'm a newbie with no power tools.

1. Which locks would you recommend I purchase, in the UK?
2. Where can I purchase said locks?
3. Is the Kwikset disassembly tutorial similar on UK brand locks?

Thanks for your help. I'm sorry, the UK sourcing information is somewhat lacking..

[taylorgdl]

Master padlocks can be bought from B&Q, Squire locks as well i think.

If you're after lever locks, try ebay.

I haven't looked at the Kwickset tutorial, so I can't help there.

G.

[Shrub]

Click my picture and have a read from there,

Locks can be bought from ebay but you may find them just as cheap as said from your local B+Q,

The locks you need to be looking at are things like standard 5 pin Yale cylinders,

The guide you need to look for is Illusions repinning guide which can be found Here

[ZiRo]

thanks,

I've now found a euro lock disassembly guide. So that question can be scratched off.

I've been playing with my crappy locker lock with a screwdriver and thin allen key. However, I cannot unlock it. I can lock it, however the pins dont seem to set when unlocking it. This is when the pins are at the top. I'm pretty sure it's not a case of me being fooled.

I can lock it within about 1 minute by stabbing around with the allen key because of the poor quality lock. I'm not picking it, just stabbing at the pins until they set and then it opens. Any help would be appreciated as to why I can't set any pins on when unlocking..

[Shrub]

You need to read the links ive sent you to, you said you had read all the noobie stuff i think you need to go and do it again,

DO NOT PICK LOCKS YOU RELY ON this will cause problems for you when you damage it by stabbing around with a screwdriver and allen key,

Locker locks should by all intents and purposes be left alone,

[ZiRo]

It's fine. I'm not an idiot, I have a locker in my room for storing stuff and it is a readily accessible lock that doesn't matter. It doesn't secure anything.

[Shrub]

I didnt call you an idiot, put the lock obviously secures the locker door,

You would be better getting a pin cylinder and forgetting the simple wafer locks, they arent much use and easy to pick with a ball pick and double pronged wrench,

[p1ckf1sh]

You would be better getting a pin cylinder and forgetting the simple wafer locks, they arent much use and easy to pick with a ball pick and double pronged wrench,

Maybe I said it before, can't remember, but for the... um... ambitious newbie looking for locks, it s REALLY easy to accidentally consider a wafer lock to be a pin tumbler. Been there. When I started and had my first easy padlock open I looked for more stuff and took my little money box (to which the key is long lost anyways) and looked in the keyway. I mistook the wafer for pins and started picking it like a pin tumbler, it opened as you can imagine.

I am with Shrub though, these locks don't teach you anything picking wise. Buy a cheap euro-cylinder and cut it in half, this makes repinning way easier and you have two locks to play with for the price of one .

[ZiRo]

Thanks all.

That's exactly why I'm asking the questions in the first post. I've ordered 5 pin, 6 pin euro locks and a padlock from screwfix.

I have limited access power tools, any suggestion at which tools I should source access to?

[horsefeathers]

Screwfix. Why didnt you add some cheap tools to your order from them when you ordered your locks?

Cheap as chips and since you are no pro then the quality doesnt matter too much to you.

regards

wayne

[p1ckf1sh]

I have limited access power tools, any suggestion at which tools I should source access to?

Ummm... maybe I am missing something, but what exactly do you want to do with those powertools? Make picks? Make cutaways? Cut the locks in half to enable easy repinning?

For picks check out the numerous pick making guides. You can do it with files, but a Dremel or a grinder speed it up drastically.

Cutaways... hmmmm. Hacksaw, Dremel, cutoff wheels, some files, wet&dry sanding paper 240, 600, 800 even higher if you want it smooth and clean.

Repinning? Needs no powertools. You need a pinning clamp or you cut the lock in half and then you just need some rolled up cardboard and a set of goot tweezers.

[Shrub]

You can repin euro profiles without cutting them up, have a search for SJ's guide on doing it,

[ZiRo]

Screwfix. Why didnt you add some cheap tools to your order from them when you ordered your locks?

Cheap as chips and since you are no pro then the quality doesnt matter too much to you.

regards

wayne

I think you may have misunderstood my post. But thanks none-the-less.

p1ckf1sh, It was a general "What might come in handy?" question. But cutting a lock in half to aid repinning may be handy. What kind of equipment will that require? It'd be touch and go hacking that in half with just a dremel?

[ZiRo]

You can repin euro profiles without cutting them up, have a search for SJ's guide on doing it,

I'm aware.

[Shrub]

You hold a euro in a vice with one end and gently hit it up and down with a mallet on the other end,

Or you can simply hacksaw through the middle,