Trouble picking Master No. 03

[Andrelommech]

I've been picking casually for a few years. Recently I've gotten much more into it. I've always used a shallow half diamond and have been able to pick locks as tough as a Brinks deadbolt with two spool pins (though I am having difficulty lately). Anyway, I picked up a Southard PXS-14 and have not been able to pick this lock with any pick or pressure. I cannot get more than the last (4th?) pin to set. Any advice?

I also notice that the shallow half diamond in the kit is not as tall as the one I've been using for years... Is it perhaps too shallow?

[Andrelommech]

Also, on the Master 03 it doesn't feel like any of the other pins are binding. They all have normal spring pressure regardless of the torque I apply. I only know the 4th pin is set by turning my pick upside down, pressing all the pins, slowly pulling it out then counting the clicks.

[GWiens2001]

The fourth pin may be getting over set or under set.

Gordon

[phrygianradar]

The fourth pin may be getting over set or under set.

Gordon

I was thinking the same. You might try picking it backwards. Reverse the tension pressure and see if you can get the front pins to bind. May help. I have had great luck picking a lock in reverse or backwards, when I had no luck in the traditional way.

[Taemyks]

Hi - The Master #3 has been the easiest for me so far. It's a pretty sloppy mechanism - I work the individual pins under more than necessary tension to get an idea of which ones set first. From there it's light tension and set in the order you found with more tension...

Just be a bit sloppy

Hope that helps.

[bigmac245]

I have found that it is the easiest lock to pick by far however i think mine might have been poorly designed as you can pick it by simply getting something flat and pushing all the pins down at once