Help a n00b with an Abus padlock

[Harpo_the_bad]

Hi guys,

My picks still haven't arrived yet. I was hoping they would have but they're not quite late yet so hopefully they'll be here soon.

To fill the time before I get my real tools I decided to try picking my little Abus No. 65/30 with a couple of paper clips. Is this a good lock to start on?

I was actually suprised at how well my paper clip picks work. I made a tension wrench by folding one paperclip over so it has a double section that is a little longer than the internal depth of the plug and I made something that looks like a short hook out of the other one.

Now, I wedged the 'wrench' in to the bottom of the keyway so that I can apply some torque. Initially I had real problems moving my pick around in the keyway but after about an hours practice I can easily use my improvised short hook to select and press down on any of the four key pins.

However, I can't get a single one of them to set at all! (or even stay down) I've tried just resting my thumb so lightly on the 'wrench' so that it barely even bends and I've also tried putting a little more force on it but EVERY single time I press a pin down it springs right back up.

Is it likely that I've applying too little torque? Or maybe too much? Or is something else likely to be causing a problem? Or maybe I should just wait for my proper tools?

Cheers!

[paulvalente]

You don't suppose that as you've "wedged" the tension wrench into the lock that you've snagged the barrel and now no matter how much tension you apply the tension isn't being applied to the correct part of the lock do you?

Try something else as a tension wrench and try again. it shouldn't be forced into the lock ideally.

[Harpo_the_bad]

Hello Paul,

That's a good point. I tried moving my paperclip wrench around and it SEEMED to me that it was attempting to turn the plug... but who knows.

Good news is: I just heard that my new Southord Slimlines are waiting at home for me! So I'll give it a go with some proper tools tonight

Thanks

[paulvalente]

Well that's great news mate, you'll find it all becomes a lot easier now.

Good luck

[Harpo_the_bad]

I did it

I got home and unwrapped my new tools like a kid at christmas.

I tried the short hook with the rounded nose first. I got one or two pins straight away. You're right; it is MUCH easier with proper tools; especially with a proper tension wrench.

I still couldn't get that little lock open though. I resorted to the rake and bam; about 5 minutes after unwrapping my picks I had that lock open

About about an hours practice I could open it fairly easily with the short hook or the small half diamond (no raking!).

I also managed to pick a second padlock (unbranded) with a broken shackle which I found. This one had a TINY keyway. I had to use the smallest of my four tension wrenches and the rake still couldn't fit in there so I was forced to pick. The pins were set RIGHT back inside the lock too but I managed to get it open

I'm starting to prefer working with the small half diamond. It really allows me to feel what's going on in there I think I'm hooked!

[Pil]

Hehe, explains my current situation perfectly:P Sitting here with silly paperclips that refuse to do what I want them to, while waiting for my pretty pretty pickset to arrive in the mail:P Can't wait for monday! (Never thought I'd say that)