Did I mess the lock up by taking some pins out?

[rgeneral01]

I am fairly new to lock picking, but have some how been able to pick a number of different padlocks and door locks with ease. My newest lock is an American Lock 1105. I got it open and decided to take some of the pins out. I took out 3 pins, leaving the pin closest to the key entry side and the 3rd pin in from the key entry. Now I can't seem to get the lock to open for the life of me. What did I do wrong?

Thanks, Randy

[rgeneral01]

Also, I believe I may have just taken the top pins out? They are very tiny gold colored pins that fell out.

[freakparade3]

Also, I believe I may have just taken the top pins out? They are very tiny gold colored pins that fell out.

If you only took out the key pins but left the driver pins and springs the problem is that the driver pins have fallen into the plug. You need to take a pick and push them back up past the shearline while trying not to overset the 2 key pins you left.

[Eyes_Only]

If you have access to extra springs I would just pick the pin stack you left in there and then just get a screwdriver and just use it like the Kwikset KIK removal tool and just force the plug out.

But ofcourse most people don't usually have extra parts for padlocks lying around or a Master Lock pin kit so you'll probably have to be real careful and just follow Freakparades advice if this is your situation.

[rgeneral01]

Thanks for the tips guys. I will try it when I get home from work. I don't really understand the difference between different pins, but I think I understand. I like to pick the padlocks with the pins on the bottom, and I think that is causing my problem. I will try picking it so that the pins are hanging down. I guess I made my job harder instead of easier.

[Eyes_Only]

These are the kind of times you could really use a tool like a comb pick. If it would work...

[foolish]

Ive often forgotten to take the springs out of the chambers after removing the driver pins, then when you put the lock back together the springs fall down into the keyway causing the cylinder to get stuck, just pick the remaining pins and force the cylinder forward with a plug follower, this should just stretch the springs virutally straight. Hope this helps.