Finding the right tension with locks that play.

[Lorek]

Most of the easier to pick locks i've noticed don't have a lot of play in them and i've gotten most of these successfully. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to pick locks that have a certain amount of play or rotation before locking with the tension. I'm running into a brick wall with picking locks that have the play, and locks that don't. A couple examples would be the uhaul hardened steel padlocks, or stainless steel locks where the lock cylinder is locked into place but isn't secured as firmly as say a deadbolt so it'l move around a little as you apply tension or some schlage key in knob sets.

[MacGyver101]

It may not be the case for all of the locks that you mention... but many of them (e.g., Schlage KIK) are likely to have security pins. It is possible that, rather than being stymied by more play in the cylinder, you are starting to run into security pins for the first time? (Just a guess, though, based on the list of locks you provided.)

Otherwise, I have not really found that my technique varies much based of the amount of initial play in the cylinder: turning pressure should similar, once your pins start binding on the shear line.

Hope that helps...

[raimundo]

Just like mcgyver said. When you find a lock that has a loose feel to the plug, you are likely hung up on spools or mushrooms, all you have to do is lighten tension and press up on whatever pin makes the plug counterrotate against your light pressure. this will set the spool pins and you will have graduated to the next level.

[Afisch]

I think the OP may be talking about locks with sloppy tolerances or padlocks with extra tension to overcome. Prehaps use a lighter tool e.g. the feathertouch to give you a greater margin for error once you get to the binding pins.

[Zickddot]

Glue the lock to the door securely? I hope that one answered it.

[le.nutzman]

It sounds like maybe the OP is encountering something very similar to what I encountered with the Masterlock DG series locks, very loose fitting plug which made gauging appropriate tension more difficult.

The solution obviously, is as light as tension as you can use while still applying a VERY slight turning force. If you can't feel the pins binding, you VERY SLOWLY AND LIGHTLY start applying more turning force until you feel the first pin bind (A pin, not necessarily the FIRST pin). It is at this point where you are now using the lightest tension possible while providing enough turning force on the tension wrench to overcome the lock.

Practice practice practice.