picking 6 pin Schlage

[glens_1999]

I picked up a 6 pin schlage lock from the local home recycling place. i tried to pick it without success and didnt have a key, so I used a shim from the back to get it open so I could take it apart.

I was expecting spool pins or other dastardly tricks but it was just a standard pinned lock. In fact the key biting was pretty flat. Turns out that I had put in a mortice shell for convenience and had it so tight I couldnt tell I'd picked it.

Lesson learned: need to have faith in my skills and not assume it's me, or that the lock is necessarily difficult. Sometimes it's just stiff. I re-pinned it to 4 pins and can pick it all day.

Just thought I'd share my mistakes in case they might help others.

Glen

[fgarci03]

A good thing to do is to bounce tension from time to time. Sometimes a lock is already picked but we aren't using the necessary tension to actually rotate the plug!

[Bob Jim Bob]

I think sometimes a lock comes from the factory right after they sharpen the tools and calibrate the machines, so even an easy 6 pin lock could be a challenge.

[MrWizard]

Schlage locks are no push over locks. For decades they were considered the Cadillac of locks. Older schlage will be a harder ones to defeat unless some schmuck has filed on the plug to try to fit a key. New schlage in a vise or in your hand is light years easier to pick that one in the wild on a door that is dirty and stiff working. So if you have trouble picking a schlage don't think it loaded with security pins as they never have them as they usually don't need them.

Richard

[GWiens2001]

So if you have trouble picking a schlage don't think it loaded with security pins as they never have them as they usually don't need them.

Slight correction... They may never have them from the factory, but mine have them. Of course, I added them myself, but there are some out there.

That said, MrWizard is right. They are a decently built lock. Not a high security lock, but not a cheapo, either. Especially the ones you get from a locksmith, as opposed to the ones from a big-box store.

Gordon

[MrWizard]

There might be some out there in a vise on a bench. Might be one on a locksmiths door but in 35 years I have never found one mounted on a door in use.

Richard

[cuttinedge1]

I picked an American 5200 for months and could not open it. One day I got mad an turned the tension wrench hard. Turns out I had it picked it just hard a strong counter spring. Now I can pick it in 2 min.

[GWiens2001]

We all do that when learning those American padlocks. One tension pressure to pick, another (greater) tension pressure to open once it is picked.

Gordon

[Warbs87]

We all do that when learning those American padlocks. One tension pressure to pick, another (greater) tension pressure to open once it is picked.

Gordon

I'm glad i saw this. Just bought an American padlock to pick and couldn't get it in my first trial. This could be the reason. I can't wait to try again!