Master #3, other info

[Bob M]

Just came across a #3 and tried to pick it. It has a loose fitting cylinder like the #15, and others.
I was getting false 'feelings', the cylinder was moving, not the plug. While this may seem basic, I just realized it. The IT is take all of the slack out of the cylinder before attempting to pick. I shook and lightly rapped the lock body while the torque wrench was in, to get the play out, then it was a lot easier to make it work. I'm going back to the #15 s that were giving me problems.

I found a Master #1 in the garage, that I had keys for, many years old. 30+. After light clean up and oil, I got it in about a minute.

I've been using an oiler sold by Hoppe's, needle nose, squeeze bottle. It fits into the keyways, and I rake the needle across the pins, lightly squeezing the bottle, not drenching just oiling then. Rake a few times with a pick, and the pins are ready to get picked.

As I said, some may know this, but every piece of info helps.

[Tygart]

I picked my #3 Master lock in maybe 3 seconds, It is an old lock that has been kicked around over the years, All the pins were a little tight.

I used a hook pick, and had no problems.

[le.nutzman]

I've got 2 Master #3 locks that are rubberized, plug is looser than hell in both of them, but I'm able to SPP them both in under a minute and rake them open in about 20 seconds.

I found that just a bit of binding against the outter case with the tension wrench works well to hold the plug in place.

[BobbO45]

I too have found that the best pick for a Master lock is the hook pick, even for raking. For some reason I can rake a Master lock No. 3 easier with a hook pick than with a rake, and about 25% of the time I can rake the lock in the first or second attempt. (I love opening the #3. So easy yet so fun, alas no challenge )

[Aprentice]

This is the 3rd place today to make a similar reference as I will here. I'm a newbie and picked my 1st lock two days ago 3 different locks - one of them a Master No 1 which as far as I know is the same internally as the No 3. Very easy to SPP - although I haven't had the same success when raking. I used a hook (No 2) pick as well. I don't share the enthusiasm however with others regarding the simplicity in being able to pick a lock. I was actually surprised in how easy it was - and disappointed. I love succeeding - just like a little more challenge. I will continue to practise more with them, however I'm also going to find a little more challenging locks to work with and practise on.

[Tygart]

Yah I tossed my Master Lock #3 aside.

[jay----]

My master #3 is super loose and it never gave me any problems.
The first time I picked it was with a paperclip which took about ten minutes, but know i can rake it open in usually one or two passes and spp it starting at the back and only have to pick each pin once.
master #3 locks are either really easy, or I got a real easy one by fluke, but now it too just sits on the shelf!


http://s164.photobucket.com/albums/u40/ ... akeing.flv

http://s164.photobucket.com/albums/u40/ ... ML3SPP.flv

[rrrrrrkevin]

I have one of these that a C rake opens simply by forcing the rake to the rear and applying heavy tension,alot of them locks like the No.3 and No.1 I just try using the biggest rake I have like a double ball,ball or C rake and just jam it to the back.

[Ermis]

spray mul-t-lube inside the cylinder, rake the pins a few times to get it lubricated and give it another go.

[Tygart]

Forcing, Jam that don't sound very good. You will break a pick that way. or your lock.