Lock Advice Please: First Watch "40mm" Padlock

[pseudodigm]

Hi all. I'm a newbie hobbiest. I've only picked about 4 different locks total, two of them master padlocks that I can pretty much do without thinking about it. So I was excited when someone found an old padlock while cleaning out their desk drawer, new meat!

But, man...I've been working on this thing off and on for weeks and I just can't get her. I don't know how many pins it has, but I've counted the number of clicks upon giving up and releasing the wrench at 3, possibly 4.

The thing that I don't like about it (compared to the master locks I did) is that when you torque the wrench there's a couple degrees of springy give before it stops. That makes me think something fancy is going on in there to prevent me from cracking it.

It's also a pretty tight fit. I have to use my thinnest wrench, and I go back and forth using a hook type, and a diamond type.

Is there something about this lock that I'm not aware of, or is it just "one of those things".

Thanks all.

pseudo

[CPLP]

If it's old it may need lubrication. And probably is just "one of those things". Got a picture?

[Isakill]

I too have noticed that. I have a Brinks "master" style lock with 40 mm stamped into the bottom.
this particular lock is a 4 pin (counted with the tip of my pick and the wear marks on the key and the clicks as the key goes in)
when I apply torque pin 2 is the first to bind with 4 behind that... not gotton any further
The keypins seem to be smaller than the driver pins, and pin 4 has a double sheerline
Please correct me if I am wrong. I hate to pass on bad information.
Obviously with less than a couple hours of picktime and no locks picked I may be wrong, but this is what it feels/sounds like

[CPLP]

If they have double shear line that's because it's a part of a master key set. It shoul be easier to set the pins that have more than one shear line. You probably are wrong about the 4 pin teory. I don't think is very accurate counting pins with the key by the noise they make. You should count the holes in the key.

[illusion]

Put the pick into the back of the keyway. Pull it out slowly and liste for how many clicks. 3 clicks = 3 pins. It's not 100% effective but may bare consideration.

Masterkeying makes more than 1 sheerline.. the more times it has been masterkeyed, the more vulnerable it is to picking. It's ironic that something which is meant to improve security simply anhilates it in the process.

When you turn it there is a bit of 'spring resistance which means you must practice getting the right ammount of rotation on the plug to apply suitable tension.

[Isakill]

You probably are wrong about the 4 pin teory. I don't think is very accurate counting pins with the key by the noise they make. You should count the holes in the key.

That's why I offered 3 ways I checked for that

1)counted with the tip of my pick
2)the wear marks on the key
3)the clicks as the key goes in

I'm actually a quick study but with no kwickset deadbolts (likely to buy one today) and tons of keyed/keyless padlocks laying around I have plenty to learn from and all help is appreciated.

Put the pick into the back of the keyway. Pull it out slowly and liste for how many clicks. 3 clicks = 3 pins. It's not 100% effective but may bare consideration.

I did that while probing around. At the risk of sounding like Capt. Obvious the pins are domelike in shape with quite a large space in the upper part of the plug behind pin 4.