What am I doing wrong with this pad lock?

[liquidz]

I just recently got one of these pad locks to practice with at my local wal-mart:

http://www.lockcity.com/brinks/Products ... 20Padlocks

I have just started getting serious about learning to pick locks, and I have another practice lock (not a pad lock) that has 6 spool pins which I can open fine consistenly, however I just can't seem to open this pad lock, and considering it's my first pad lock that I am trying to open I am curious as to if you all have any suggestions as to what I might be doing wrong.

I have tried a wide range of tension (light tension works best), raking it (somewhat effective), picking each pin one at a time (starting with the one that binds the most of course, this seems to work best). I have even tried compressing the shackle while picking (pretty hard to do while varying the presure). I reread the MIT guide a few times, heck even while trying the lock. However I do notice that I tend to get alot of false sets, perhaps you know of what I am doing wrong that would usually cause this?

I know the lock works because I have the key, more than likely I am doing something wrong because I am new to this. (Probably something simple, or just a lack of experiance)

[Chucklz]

It is a clone of an American lock, so it may have serrated pins, which are alot harder than spool pins.

[CitySpider]

Aside: For a lock to have six spool pins, it has to have _at least_ seven pins. I can't think of any locks like that, unless you're talking about an SFIC, and I think you would've mentioned if you were. So I'm dying to know: what is it?

[liquidz]

Aside: For a lock to have six spool pins, it has to have _at least_ seven pins. I can't think of any locks like that, unless you're talking about an SFIC, and I think you would've mentioned if you were. So I'm dying to know: what is it?

It's definately not an SFIC although I would love to get ahold of one to try to pick. I am not sure what make/model the practice lock is that I have. I can't find any identifing marks on it or in it. It's just a door lock, however I am very confident that it has 6 spool pins based on how they act. There does seem to be a 7th pin hole, however it is empty. I got the lock from my dad who probably got it from work (My guess is they changed out some locks with a new system).

[liquidz]

It is a clone of an American lock, so it may have serrated pins, which are alot harder than spool pins.

I only paid about $4 for it, so I was expecting it to maybe have spools, but serrated would be an interesting surprise. I did'nt read the box, I just thought "Heck $4? it should be a decent lock to fool around with, and the price is right".

I have been fooling around with this lock for a couple hours a day for the last 4 or 5 days, so I'm going to give that lock a break today and see if I have better luck tomarrow afternoon.

I tried putting some Militec 1 in the keyway, and the lubrication hole (I guess that is what it is for, you know the little hole on the bottom of the pad lock). The pins will move a bit easier, however it did'nt have an effect on picking success, I figured it would'nt help, but I said why the heck not give it a try.

I'll do some more research on serrated pins today and try the lock again afterwards just incase that it does have them. (It might because their site does say it has "Anti-Pick Pins").

[Chucklz]

Try shining a bright light in the keyway, and just looking at the pins, you may be able to see serrations.

[Mad Mick]

I got the lock from my dad who probably got it from work (My guess is they changed out some locks with a new system).

only paid about $4 for it, so I was expecting it to maybe have spools, but serrated would be an interesting surprise.

Now I'm confused...

[CitySpider]

Two different locks, Mick. First one has six spool pins (I still don't understand how people can be _so_ sure about the contents of a lock without actually opening it -- maybe my feel just sucks, I don't know) and the second is a Brinks American knockoff.

[yungning]

i have bought that lock 1 month ago on wal-mart also.

mine is 5 pins, and security pins' position are the 1st, 3rd and 5th.

it's not that hard if you already know how to pick those mushroom or spool pins.

try to give light pressure on tension wrench and do pin pressing, you will feel some of the pins will have the push back pressure on tension wrench...they r security pins. push them harder until u hear the click....

good luck.

[liquidz]

i have bought that lock 1 month ago on wal-mart also.

mine is 5 pins, and security pins' position are the 1st, 3rd and 5th.

it's not that hard if you already know how to pick those mushroom or spool pins.

try to give light pressure on tension wrench and do pin pressing, you will feel some of the pins will have the push back pressure on tension wrench...they r security pins. push them harder until u hear the click....

good luck.

I'll give that a shot, I think I probably just got lucky with that other lock.

Thanks,