Mushroom pin exercise problem--cylinder doesn't "rock b

[Peter Martin]

I've made an exercise core--and loaded it with a single pin stack that has a mushroom driver.
The cylinder is a Corbin with a CO7 keyway--which gives good room to maneuver the pick.

The problem is that the cylinder doesn't "rock back" when the pin is pressed upward. Even with absolutely NO turning tension on the cylinder, the pick's upward movement doesn't rotate the cylinder in the opposite direction--thus allowing the pin to be firmly set. It remains stuck at the "false set". It feels just like a regular set pin.

The problem is that with this condition, you can't even tell it's a mushroom driver--and since you have no indication that it's a mushroom, you're forced to manually return the cylinder to the upright condition, re-set the pin (or worse, all the pins if it were a full cylinder) and try again--only to have the same problem re-occur.

Am I just hosed on this particular cylinder type?

[Peter Martin]

The driver is actually a "spool" and NOT a "mushroom" (tapered).

[Romstar]

Put tension on the plug, and lift the pin stack.

As the top of the spool pin passes the shear line you will notice a slight movement. Thats the plug's shear line falling into the cut in the spool.

As you continue to push up, you will feel the plug just slightly move back as you push the bottom of the spool up out of the plug, and onto the shear line.

This is the movement you are looking for.

Keep practicing,
Romstar

[Gordon Airporte]

Try putting the pin stack back in the lock, like maybe the 3rd or 4th chamber, then lever your pick up to lift it. This gives you more control and feel for what the spool is doing.
Note: this may not work particularly well with all pick shapes, but it should be okay with a normal short hook. It won't work well with every pin stack either, unless you use a deep curve pick.