Schlage pin colour's question

[RangerF150]

Hi dude's !

I got Varjeal's Schlage lock . I stripped out all the pins except the last one , then put back another one and then another one . That's when i got stuck !
I had no problem opening it with two pins , but spend day's trying to open it with three

So in the end i had to remove the *cover* on the top of the lock to remove the pins to open it .

I then started to look at the pins a bit closer .
There are brass one's , bronze like one's , and serrated .
I had as the third pin a *bronze* one .
Are there any *difference* in the pins , in that is the bronze one's harder to pick ?
Or am i just another silly n00b ?

Thanks for your time

[mcm757207]

The only thing that matters is the size of the pin. If both of the pins are same size, it doesn't matter what color it is. Color-coded pins are that way so it is easier for locksmiths (or anyone repinning it) to rekey the lock.

[hoho]

Not to hijack the thread or anything, but is there a standard for color coding pins?

[RangerF150]

Thanks for the info dude !
I have it repinned this time all the same color pins (brass ) , using three pins , and have picked it twice in a few minuites.

So i don't know what was goin on the first time !

That's what prompted my qusetion , but as you say they do seem the same in diameter , just the color is different .

You learn somethin new everyday

Thanks for your time

[mcm757207]

The diameter will be the same no matter what, it's the height that you have to worry about.

[skold]

coulors are also useful for reading locks... the only pin colours i know are the ones for lockwoods

[kehveli]

Color-coded pins are that way so it is easier for locksmiths (or anyone repinning it) to rekey the lock.

It is also easier to decode the lock. I think you can use a borescope to look at the colors of the pins. Then you write down the colors and make a key that fits the lock.

Man, that would be stealth entry. I think that there would not be any traces that the lock was picked/decoded/bypassed etc. even if it was inspected by microscope. Am I correct here, or does borescope leave any traces in the lock?

[HeadHunterCEO]

The diameter will be the same no matter what, it's the height that you have to worry about.

and the point as well esp witrh schlage

if you are using lab pins better be sure that they are b5 points or it won't work out. this is double true if you are keying up a master sys and cutting your own keys