ABUS 65/40 giving me a headache

[TheSkyer]

I'm a beginning lockpicker who has set his eyes on the ABUS 65/40. However I've trying to get that lock open several nights in a row for 1 tot 2 hours and it just won't do it.

I looked on youtube and people open it in a jiffy, seems to be no big deal. Does anyone have some usefull tips and / suggestions. I am getting slightly frustrated.....

[raimundo]

press the shackle down and see if that reduces the springback that may be opposing the tension, if that works, hold it there with large rubberbands, like you might find on broccoli or asparegus.
Then use light tension, there are security pins in it, so read the spool pins threads.

[Spiritech]

One of the problems you're having with this particular padlock is the small pins used in it, the pin size is very close to Ford Small Pin(Silca Blank FO4) and requires that you are very gentle with the pins. However unlike Ford Small Pin it's not got enough slop that you can be over 1 depth out on the key and it works no problem. ABUS padlocks may be made in china, but I've got more respect for their product than I do for some of the Australian made Lockwood equivalents.

Regardless. once you've worked out how to pick this, I reccomend you pick up some old european car door locks such as Peugeot pre 1995. They are pin tumblers with the tiniest little pins and depending on the code can be very difficult. Small pin type locks give everybody grief, especially if you're used to lifting the weight of big wafers or pins such as is used in late model GM high security wafer, or even your average 6 pin door lock.

[Solomon]

Try a 55/40 instead.

Seriously though, it's good to have some locks you know you're able to pick lying around, because you can get frustrated after not seeming to get anywhere for an hour like that. I know, I've been there. You need to take a break and clear your head after a while, frustration does nothing for your technique.

So yeah, if you're not getting anywhere after a while just take a break from that lock and refine your technique on something you can definately pick. Once you're opening that consistently without guesswork, move back onto the more difficult one and do exactly as you were doing before. I would recommend something a *little* more challenging than the 55/40 though; my friend had one on his shed and called me over to open it when he lost the key a few days ago... light tension and a gentle rocking motion with a half diamond, and pop! Took like 5 seconds, haha.

Security pins are kinda hard to explain. I SPP from back to front, and use minimal tension... and I mean MINIMAL. If nothing seems to be setting, I apply a tiny bit more and repeat that process until I find the binding pin. From there it's just a case of maintaining that torque... when a pin seems to set, push it up a little more. If it's a security pin, you'll feel the plug rotate in the opposite direction. Sometimes you need to actually reduce the torque a tiny bit to allow it to set properly, sometimes maintaining the same amount is fine. Depends on the lock.

Good luck! And remember, tension is everything. That's most likely to be what you need to be working on.

[l0ckp1cker]

I have to agree, not the security pins but the size of them are the biggest problem with this lock.
I jiggled it open in a few seconds but it took me another few weeks (not constantly trying of course) before I was able to SPP it.
Several of the abus high security locks (like the 90/50, the 92/80 and the 24/60) which I picked were easier then my 65/40.

[wackojappo]

Hi,

I'm a beginner and I've picked a few (around 10) cheap padlocks so far, also an
ASUS "weatherproof edition" (encased in some plastic, the actual lock does not
have any engraving hinting at the model).

I've now arrived at the 65/40 which is giving me headaches as well...

I've tried SPP'ing from back to front using a half-diamond and a hook pick, without
luck, I can't seem to find the binding pin, i.e. can't get started.

Can you give me some advice as on how to proceed? I'm also trying to apply only
minimal torque.

As for the last comment, how exactly did you "jiggle it open"? Do you mean just
some raking/scrubbing? Tried that as well, didn't help.

Any input is much appreciated.

[Ortin468]

Try a lighter tension wrench, possibly with a longer handle and light torque. It might give you better feedback.

[hurt1138]

I spend the better part of last night getting this one open. I have only done about 10 locks or so and this was by far the hardest yet.

- I used VERY light tension
- Didn't have to use a elastic on the shackle even though it had a fair amount of play to it.
- Used a snake pick

The most important part to the whole process was bringing the snake pick in very high on the first pin almost not touching it at all. The rest of the pins where pretty standard to most the other locks I have done.