How to pick a 4-bitted key lock

[InnocentCat]

.....I had originally posted this question on July 25 and some people did respond. But for some reason the post and its replies disappered. After not getting a response to the reason the post disappeared from the moderators I thought I would post it again......

Any tips on how to pick a 4-bitted key lock ??

Thanks to those that did reply previously

[Eagerpicker]

Do you mean a cross lock? That opens with a cross pick.

[Chucklz]

http://www.lockpicks.com/index.asp?Page ... ProdID=302

[InnocentCat]

Yes, it is sometimes called a cross lock. Thanks for the link to the cross-pick too !!

[WhiteHat]

see also this thread:

viewtopic.php?t=3820

[Eagerpicker]

This type of lock is very common as an extra security lock on doors in the Netherlands. Usually, two are installed in addition to the usual cylinder lock in the middle of the side of the door, one near the upper corner, one near the bottom corner.

[jimmythelock]

Just as a quick thought.

The key and lock have 4-fold symmetry, i.e. you can fit the key in the lock 4 different ways and stil open it. Each way can be rotated by 90 degrees to the last.

All this means that the key and the pins at position 1 for example will have the same heights. So once one pin is set, all the others in the same position will have the same setting height. However, they may have different binding orders.

Hope this helps.

Jimmy

[jimmythelock]

I meant to add the analogy that it is like picking the same lock 4 times and NOT like picking 4 diiferent locks once each.

Jimmy

[frostbyte]

Not true with my lock, the four bittings are different, including different widths so you cannot put the key in the wrong way.

[jimmythelock]

Wow! All the ones I have seen have had the same biting and the same with of keyways. I guess there must be some exceptions then. Sorry to have made a mistake, I will have a closer look next time I see some.

Jimmy

[Eagerpicker]

I've actually only seen cross keys with 4 different bittings. They're very useful when you need to saw something off, as well, such as a piece of string.

[hzatorsk]

While this may not be true of all models of this lock:

I'm with frostbyte on this one... I've got a couple of these locks and the keys definitely only go in one way (one blade is wider) and are cut differently in each of the four positions.

[InnocentCat]

Yes I too have a 4-bitted lock on my steering wheel 'club' and the key definately only goes in one way.