help on picking padlocks...

by **lizardking817** » 22 Dec 2006 12:19

i need help on picking mastter padlocks i have had a huge problem w/ them, i have only picked 1 twice in my life.........so whats my problem???is it the tension???

by **UWSDWF** » 22 Dec 2006 12:22

Welcome everybody,
For all thoes new to the site and lockpicking, LP101 is a great place to start.
Take a look at the new users section, first and don't be afraid to ask any questions just remember to try a search before posting.

If you're looking for locks to pick, buy some but, DO NOT PICK LOCKS YOU RELY ON
I repeat DO NOT PICK LOCKS YOU RELY ON, they can and will break, then your house/car/safe/chasity belt is vulnerable or unable to be opened (think: emergency situation).

Cheers,
UWSDWF

by **Deathadder** » 22 Dec 2006 14:39

and another thing, try not to type in bold all the time, it gets kinda distracting

lol, as for your question, just remember not to put too much tension on the wrench, if you are bending it, its waaay to much. Also some specifics would be nice, like what kind of padlock you are dealing with. like UWSDWF said, do a search for what you need to know before you post, just search MIT guide, its probably the best on here. Another good guide is DB's "one pin at a time" which you can find here http://www.lockpicking101.com/viewtopic.php?t=10677. Pictures of you and the lock would be nice, because this is your first post, and there are a lot of people wanting to know how to break into locks.

by **hoob** » 22 Dec 2006 16:58

What type of picks or methods have you tried i.e. raking?

by **lizardking817** » 22 Dec 2006 17:05

i am not raking....single pin; and its a No. 380 master lock
and i just can't pick it. i still dont know if its the tension???

by **UWSDWF** » 22 Dec 2006 17:16

neither do we

by **SmokieD** » 22 Dec 2006 17:23

It could be the tension, or it could something else. Unless u post a video there is no way of knowing.

What i suggest is looking on Youtube.com. There are picking videos for every single kind of lock. You could use your brain to decide what it is your doing (or not doing).

by **hoob** » 22 Dec 2006 17:34

Lubricate the lock with wd-40 or graphite. then Using proper tension slowly push up on the pin. this only works on deadbolts, but it will give you a good idea how much tension to use. place you tension wrench in the bottom of the lock and place a thumb tack about 2 inches away in the proper turning direction, Then connect the wrench and thumb tack with a rubber band. If you still have trouble go to the library and checkout some locksmithing manuals they've helped me a lot.

by **drunk.with.love** » 22 Dec 2006 22:29

Deathadder wrote:lol, as for your question, just remember not to put too much tension on the wrench, if you are bending it, its waaay to much. Also some specifics would be nice, like what kind of padlock you are dealing with. like UWSDWF said, do a search for what you need to know before you post, just search MIT guide, its probably the best on here. Another good guide is DB's "one pin at a time" which you can find here http://www.lockpicking101.com/viewtopic.php?t=10677. Pictures of you and the lock would be nice, because this is your first post, and there are a lot of people wanting to know how to break into locks.

Yeah, I've actually twisted my torque and not realized it until I had to pull it out ahahah guess I was frusrated.

Don't be discouraged. I would start out with a padlock with a small number of pins, or jus less pins than the one you're working on. Idk, might make things easier.

by **zeke79** » 22 Dec 2006 22:32

I agree with hoob only I recommend a silicone lubricant or if you have it I highly recommend locksaver. Lubricating the lock can help alot if it is dirty.

by **SmokieD** » 23 Dec 2006 15:30

hoob wrote:Lubricate the lock with wd-40 or graphite. then Using proper tension slowly push up on the pin. this only works on deadbolts, but it will give you a good idea how much tension to use. place you tension wrench in the bottom of the lock and place a thumb tack about 2 inches away in the proper turning direction, Then connect the wrench and thumb tack with a rubber band. If you still have trouble go to the library and checkout some locksmithing manuals they've helped me a lot.

Lubricating the lock, I have never heard that helped before. I guess it could be beneficial to a rusted stiff lock. Must of been something you read in one of those library books man.

Wish my library had locksmithing books. Maybe i just might check it out.

by **Bob M** » 24 Dec 2006 1:09

Lubricating the lock was the first thing to do, instructor told us. 1. It will ensure movement (we hope) and 2. maybe clean crud, dust, etc out of the way.

I like teflon based sprays, WD-40 can clog , as the vehicle evaporates.

Maybe a shot of contact cleaner would do the same, anyway, just need to have the pins moving as they should.

by **Deathadder** » 24 Dec 2006 3:00

This is what normally helps me with stuck locks (like my master #40) Take a can of break parts cleaner and attach the straw to the end. Stick the straw into the keyway and spray liberally (and i do mean liberally) Hold the lock upside down and wait for the stuff to drain out, then repeat until no more black stuff comes out. After that, powder a light bit of graphite in there (make sure the lock is dry before you do this) and turn the key a bunch of times. Once the graphite is evenly distributed, you can choose to do 1 of two things... either A) clean the lock out again (especially if it is going to be wet or rained on) or B) leave the graphite in there. If you choose to leave the graphite in there, you will have to repeat the above in about a month, to avoid goopy buildup. An alternative to the graphite is the teflon based spray as Bob suggested, but graphite works better as long as you keep the lock dry.

help on picking padlocks...

help on picking padlocks...

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