My First Lock (thought it would be more difficult)

[bzeurunkl]

Bought a cheap set about a year ago at a gun show. Never really got around to trying it. Then, last night, thought I'd get it out and play.

I have a sentry file/fire safe for keeping papers and diskettes and stuff. I'ts made of some kind of plastic and could probably opened with nothing more than a chainsaw or a circular saw with a general framing blade! But how much fun would that be? (Well, OK... it might actually be fun... ;-)

Anyway. First thing I discovered is that those thin stamped sheet metal picks can be real hard on the edges of your fingers if you spend more than a few minutes pressing on the edges. I wrapped mine in several layers of electrical tape. Nice and comfy now.

First thing I did was just feel around in there and see how many pins I was gonna have to deal with. Three. Well, the things designed for fire abatement, not security. But it will be a fun first lock.

I tried the stuff in all the basic guides. Torque, find the stickpin, set the pin, repeat.

After only a few minutes of poking around like like a guy trying to pick a lock with a log ("Finesse" wouldn't exactly describe my efforts), I noticed the tube turn just a pit, then a bit more, and finally the thing actually turned and was open.

I thought it would be more difficult than that, and it just goes to show that some locks are NOT security locks. With enough patience, you can literally accidentally "stumble" your way through them.

But what a thrill it was. I'm glad I did it.

[bzeurunkl]

Next up, I decided to pick a lock for which I had lost the key. It was on a metal box that held diskettes. It was a padlock made by Cole. Bottom says "1/14 Inch - 30mm" and "Taiwan".

I AM NOT KIDDING: The thing opened almost as soon as I stuck the tool in! Incredulous, I locked it and tried it again. Same thing. On the third go, I actually opened it with nothing more than the torque bar!!!!

Something was definately not right. So I looked into keyhole and discovered.... drumroll.......

This stupid thing had exactly ONE PIN.


One pin in hole one and three empty holes!!!

I mean, gee whiz.... Are you SO strapped for cash that the cost of itty-bitty brass pins and a few tiny springs is really gonna make or break your profit margins?

Holy Cow.

Next up: My Brinks R70. Been trying this one all night. It's the reason I found this site. It's obvious this one won't be as easy as the cheap ones, but I got nothin' but time...

RZ

[Octillion]

None of the above surprises me. Many locks that are common on junk like cheapo filing cabinets, money boxes, desks, etc are all crap, and pose no real physical security, they are only a bit of a deterrent to the most friendly of criminals. I have some cheap plastic CD drawers that have “locks” with one pin, and a diskette case with a lock containing a single wafer. They are such crap, a beginner would gain nothing by “picking” them.

[Chucklz]

I wonder if your Cole lock is the result of someone being extraordinarily lazy at the end of the day in the factory.

[dmux]

try a american 5200, those bastards are soo hard, it makes me want to give up lockpicking everytime i waste my life on them with no success