American Padlocks done, whats next?

[specialist]

Any suggestions on what to tackle next? I made a cut away to learn how the Americans work, and they're pretty fun to play around with. I'm thinking of moving to something with a sidebar. On a scale of 1 to 10 how would you guys rate the American Padlocks?

[Pickermeapie]

8.5 if 10 is the most difficult. A padlock full of serrated and spools is never easy. As someone said, a American lock will take the wind out of your sails... or was that Medeco? Anyway, they are pretty difficult, but a cutaway is pretty good so if you think you got it, you can check to see why its not turning. Happy picking!
-pickermeapie

[specialist]

Since practicing on the cut away for about a week now, I can pretty much open any random core (and I have a large box full of them). They are a bit trickier when they are actually in the lock (due to the different tension), but they can still be picked.

[Pickermeapie]

I am not saying they can't, but most American Locks have a bunch of security pins in them. Do your locks have them? What series are you working on?

[raimundo]

I have found that a drop of oil will help defeat the serrated pins, did you try that?

[specialist]

I've been working pretty much any of them, the 1100's 1200's or 1300's. I only have a few of the 700's. I know they all have security pins (spools and serrated). I haven't really tried the 3-in-1 trick yet. I like hearing some of the other lockies at work saying that American Padlocks are nearly impossible to pick, when I can, and a lot of the guys here can do them.

[Pickermeapie]

Its all in the tension I think. I can usally get one in about 10 Minutes now. When I first started though, I thought they where the medeco of the padlock industry . I still say they are about a 7-8.5 because when your standing out in the ice cold trying to get a gate open, its always hard.

[Gordon Airporte]

Ah yes, you should try a 2000. I have one that I just can't make headway on, but it may be that experience picking other American locks would help. At least the keyway is comfortable. If it has spools I don't remember ever having even gotten to the point of false setting on them. (Though if I could I would have opened it by now.)