Master troubles

by **jmorse4621** » 4 Apr 2006 18:39

Well I'd first like to say hello to everyone here at the 101, and I think everyone is doing a great job. MY name is John, i'm new here and I thought i'd come out from hiding to get some advice. THe reason I became a member was because I kept on locking my keys in my truck.. :oops:

and I wanted to figure out something I could fit in m wallet or put in a magnetic case under the truck that I could open the door with....like those jiggler key things.....to make a short story long.....I made my own lockpick set out of the windshield wiper blades, picked my first lock today(garage door to my house) and then saw a master lock setting on my work bench and picked it up to practace in my room....NOw!... I'm thinking that I set all the pins but the plug wont spin. I dont undersand, its like I'm binding the lock or something with my torque wrench. much thanks john

by **What** » 4 Apr 2006 19:06

make sure your tension wrench isnt binding on the cylinder...

but other than that it sounds like you are doing a great job, \

welcome to the hobby.

by **jmorse4621** » 4 Apr 2006 20:31

.....well is that possable that i'm binding it? how any pins are in the lock? Its the regular square big style lock

by **Shrub** » 4 Apr 2006 20:32

You could be hitting spool pins, do a check up on what they are.

As for your truck just keep a key safe rather than lockpicks or anything other than that auto advice is kept to the advanced part of site.

by **Bahrg** » 4 Apr 2006 22:43

What # does it say on the lock? I got a cheap master awhile back and thought it would be quite easy. I found it has a couple security pins, by setting the pins as normal, and then backing off on the tension a bit and pushing harder on the security pins I can get them set. Sometimes that will pop out one or two of the other pins, but just reset those and pop she opens. After I figured it out first couple times this lock is now one of the easiest for me to open. It has a very open keyway.

If you have the funds I highly recommend getting a repinable cylinder, and a bunch of pins. I got a nice setup from Varjeal which contained all that plus a plug follower and repinning instructions. The cylinder was even drilled for 6 pins which is great thats what Im picking at the moment, without security pins. The best part about all this is that you dont have to buy a bunch of locks, and you can make it as easy or as hard as you like.

by **MeisBarry** » 4 Apr 2006 22:52

You might also be false setting them. Try letting up on the torque a bit, slowly, hearing one or two clicks, then go feel around inside. Reset any pins that came out, one of them may have been over or underset. Sometimes I have to do that a few times to get a lock to pop.

Also, is it the generic silver lock with the blue thing around the bottom? The brass colored ones are of a bit higher quality and are more likely to have spools, at least in my limited experience. If there's a model number on it, there are several lock-encyclopedias that post here that might be able to tell you what you're up against.

by **jmorse4621** » 5 Apr 2006 19:50

Wow guys you are all over it! I just posted this yesterday and I got alot of tips already! thanks so much to you guys.

The Lock is the gry lock with the blue plastic collar around the bottom that says "Master" The lockID is A297. It says on the bottom that it is a No. 5 MasterLock. I dont know though guys I just dont have the touch or something, I mean I use alittle tension and the pins dont set, I use alot and they set but it dont open.....I'm going to try tofind another one and try it.

by **Shrub** » 5 Apr 2006 20:13

Bounce the tension, as in light to a bit harder.

As a tip if you are on a security pin the plug will slightly turn back again when you lift the pin a second time.

by **Chucklz** » 5 Apr 2006 20:18

The master no 5 is a 4 pin lock, with no security pins. I would suggest a few things. First, you are using far too much tension even on your "light" tension. But, considering you have had other success you might not be applying enough tension. Increase it only by the smallest perceptable amount. If the lock is old and dirty, you might need to give it a good lube job. My final thought is something that I am sure we all have been plauged with at least once, but probably refuse to admit. These locks have a spring that you have to overcome to open them. You may have picked the lock, but by concentrating on keeping the tension light, and perhaps being a bit unfamiliar with the feel you get from your pick, may have missed the fact that you've actually picked the lock, and just need to turn the wrench more to pop it open.

by **Treeson** » 5 Apr 2006 20:59

Haha Chucklz,

I hate when that happens. I pick locks in front of the telvision a lot and am not usually paying full attention... Then I will frequently get frustrated and try using a lot of tension and the lock will just spin open having been picked for the past 10 minutes... Grr... :evil:

Rember to use the least amount of torque on the tension wrench as possible. A good way to identify the minimum is to put the tension wrench in the lock, place about the weight of a quarter on the end of the wrench with your finger. Then, put your pick in the lock and pull it out pusing up the pins along the way. Now, release the tension, if no pins fall back down, that means there wasnt enought tension to hold the pins above the shear line. Try this little excersise with a bit more tension, and if that doesnt work, try with a bit more. The goal here is to use the least amount of tension that will open the lock. This is a good quick little excersise that I use when I encounter a new lock, especially something like a padlock that may have a spring connected to the cylinder which will cause the lock to have a different feel.

Good luck with your lockand post your results!

Cheers,

Treeson

by **p1ckf1sh** » 6 Apr 2006 7:44

Chucklz wrote:You may have picked the lock, but by concentrating on keeping the tension light, and perhaps being a bit unfamiliar with the feel you get from your pick, may have missed the fact that you've actually picked the lock, and just need to turn the wrench more to pop it open.

It can be worse. Once I picked tiny cheapo padlock and had trouble keeping the wrench properly sitting in the keyway. While picking, when I was so sure that I am really so close I noticed the wrench giving way and quickly released tension to prevent it from falling out altogether because I thought it had lost contact / binding to the keyway. Because of that release of tension it actually slipped out of the keyway and when looking at the lock at that instant I noticed the plug rotating back to rest position from like 30Â° rotation. It was picked. It was... Back to square one.

by **clayton1123** » 6 Apr 2006 10:24

Do not try to pick your truck with those picks you use to pick you master.
Trucks locks can be damaged by even putting a blank key inside. I agree that a spare key and some spare wire put under your car would be fine. As for the padlock, if you turn it to where you are facing the keyhole as it would be on american locks(pins at the top) When you have picked the lock do this and the tap the top of the lock with a hammer, mallet, etc. Maybe one or two of the bottom pins are stuck and will will line up and the lock will open. This has worked for me several times before.

by **jmorse4621** » 7 Apr 2006 3:39

thanks for the help guys.....I haven't had any luck yet but I tell ya, trying to open these locks has "tuned up" my fingers. I can tell how mch better I'm getting day by day cause i can feel the pins better and quicker.....I'm starting to see the inside of the lock with my fingers, its the crazyest thing ever.....i'm goin' nuts......I also tryed the hummingbird oral-b pick gun...no luck on the masterlock ether.....let alone any other lock but i'll ask about that in the approprate string....thanks again for all the tips everyone. i'll keep yal posted on the status

Master troubles

Master troubles

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