Padlock Trouble

by **ShadowDragon** » 15 Mar 2005 14:41

Im new to lockpicking.....ive got a southord mxps-20 lockpick set.....and i have 3 padlock that i have no key to so i thought id practice on them. I triedone padlock for 5 hours and nothing.....so i went to bed and the next morning i opened it 3 times in the space of 10mins!!! and i came back from work and i cant do it.....where do i do wrong? i find the 1st binding pin then once i set that the cylinder turns a bit but then theres no more binding pins i just push them upand they dont set....ive tried applying different tension but nothing....however when i rake the lock i set 3 pins everytime but the other 2 arnt binding so they wont set...any ideas.....also i found that i set 4 pins and the 5th pin woult not be pushed up was so stiff so i cant push it up...maybe hitting the housing because the cylinder has turned a lot so its hiting the top. Any help be great

by **raimundo** » 15 Mar 2005 14:59

try this, sit in front of your tv, turn on the program that will most interests you, and put the padlock in your hand, try to hold it lightly so as not to fatigue your hand, watch your show while with only half concentration on the lock, you use the pick that moves most easily in the lock to visit in turn each pin, lifting it, moving on to the next pin, lifting it, don't expect to feel anything, just watch the tv show, what you are doing should be left to the subconsious, or the semiconsious, do not get frustrated, that would mean that you are trying too hard, if it opens, just lock it up and start over, again and again, do not be surprised when it opens, pay no attention to it. just visit each pin and lift it, do not try to make it stick, when you have passed through the keyway three times doing this, hold the lock to your ear, shake it to hear the loose bottom pins, then let the pins all drop under the springs, and start over. Be sure to pay attention to the television, this will keep you from getting frustrated by the lock, if either of your hands gets fatigued, reconsider the way you are holding things, wrap the lock in a napkin and some rubberbands, learn the technique of opening them without so much concentration and focus, it only causes frustration.

by **noctorum** » 15 Mar 2005 16:45

^

Thats actually similar to how alot of people learn to play instruments. Playing random notes on a guitar increases dexterity and reinforces the subconscious cues required to be a good locksmith

by **Peaky** » 16 Mar 2005 6:47

It is allways possable that the padlocks you have are decent ones that have security pins and shouldnt really be suitable for a newbe,
Let us know the makes of lock and at least you will then know if you should be tackleing them right now.

by **Guesss** » 16 Mar 2005 11:10

Another thought is that you could be setting one pin too high and this locks everything up... like in the case where you said one pin woulnd't move at all.. tis possible that it is a security pin or you have it set too high. and this would prevent you from setting any other pins. in that case let up on your tension untill you let one pin drop. i have done this and it worked for me. also i have set a pin too high and when i let one pin drop the lock actually poped so i just neede to release the one pin and then it opened without setting any other pins.

Like said before don't get frustrated. If you do, set it down walk away for a while and come back to it.

good luck and keep us updated

by **ShadowDragon** » 17 Mar 2005 18:10

Hey guys....thanks for the info....im still having problems.......the padlock is a Master No 140.......its a real pain.....i find the 1st pin is binding so i set it .....then i set a few in the back and by this time the plug rotates a little because the binding pins have been set.....then the 2nd pin will not go up because the plug is turned too much so if i ease up on the tension the pins drop back....which is not good......its really a tough one.

by **digital_blue** » 17 Mar 2005 18:58

What you are describing sounds to me like a spool pin, though I don't think the 140's come with spool pins. I'm not sure though. The description seems to point that way, with the spool pin, as the top of the spool passes the shear line, you get an exagerated turn of the plug and the spool gets scissored at the shear line. At that point you need to let up on tension just enough to get the bottom of the spool past, but not enough to release other pins. It's a very fine line.

I suppose it could be that one of the bottom pins is either slightly smaller or slightly oval, and you have overset that pin. That would probably do it to.

db

by **Guesss** » 17 Mar 2005 22:55

sounds like a security pin to me as well. can you push up on any of the pins and does the lock rotate back slightly... if so then it sounds like a security pin if not then maybe you need to set them in a different order. Locks can change order.. it does happen.

by **ShadowDragon** » 18 Mar 2005 3:37

all sounds sooo tough.....ill give it a go.....thanks guys......if i dont get it i mite disect it and see whats going on inside.....ill keep u guys posted...thanks for the advice

by **Peaky** » 18 Mar 2005 7:57

Dont pull it apart unless you know exactaly what you are doing,

If a spool pin you may find it easier if you over lift the pins and drop them back down to set rather than pushing them up to set,

If you are still struggleing get another lock and keep this to one side, if you pull it apart and you still cant pick it after getting better on a differant lock you will never know if you cant pick it as your not that good yet or that you cant pick it beacause youve messed the insides up when you pulled it apart.

Padlock Trouble

Padlock Trouble

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