Help with spool pins.

[YellowSnow]

I think this padlock I'm playing around with has one or two of 'em, because it'll seem like the lock's been picked, it'll move a little bit, and stay there with all the pins feeling like they're set. I read the MIT's guide, and I'm a little confused with what they're trying to say. Could someone please help me out, and tell me what they're saying? 'Cause it seems like no matter what I do, I can't get past this. Thanks.

[Shrub]

Have a search around the site there are many threads on this and a nice animation going round by madmick, illusion has also recentaly spoke about ways to combat them.

You can lift them up higher than normal and then let them drop down to the shear line, that is the way i find easiest.

[Shrub]

Have a look at Matt Blaze's site for a good article on security pins

[devnill]

basically, when you hit a spool, you can either: overlift it(like shrub suggested), or release tension very slightly so that you can set the pin. personally, i like the latter, but its all a matter of personal preference.
the best way to learn to tackle spools is to repin a lock with 1 or 2, so that you can see how they react to your picking.

[stlbolt]

basically, when you hit a spool, you can either: overlift it(like shrub suggested), or release tension very slightly so that you can set the pin. personally, i like the latter, but its all a matter of personal preference.
the best way to learn to tackle spools is to repin a lock with 1 or 2, so that you can see how they react to your picking.

Never heard of overlifting... I always use the second way, could you explain a little more on overlifting.. If you lifted to high wouldnt the spool get caught?

[YellowSnow]

This is still pretty hard for me to accomplish. I know I haven't been trying at it long, but I just can't comprehend what I'm supposed to do. I'm more of a visual learner, and it's hard to pick the locks just by feel. By ordering a cutaway cylinder with spools, would that help? Or would it not be worth the money.

And if I were to order one, would I go with the Kwikset or the Schlage?

Thanks again for all your help.

[devnill]

I owuld get the schlage.
When i over lift the spool, i get it all the way above the sheer line, so the bottom pin binds, and i have it set on the way down when i relive tension. its pretty easy if there are no serrated pins.

[Dent]

Hmm yeah but what about when you have serrated bottom pins???

Personally I've found that if you use light tension and a steady hand, just pick the spool to the shearline right when your setting it is very doable(even with serrated bottom pins).

If not, then what you need to do is pick the whole lock(w/ spool catching), then pick the spool pin which may or may not pop other pins back down... then just re-pick those pins.


So if you can't just set it the first time, it goes "pick all pins->locate and pick spools->pick anything that dropped during spool".

With this approach you can get through serrated, spool, mushroom w/ no problem imho

[Gordon Airporte]

I'm more of a visual learner

The animation is great. If you can't find it I can get it hosted on google video (unless someone knows of a better free hosting site.)

[YellowSnow]

Yeah man, I can't find it. If the video's under 25mb then host it on putfile.com. If it's under 20mb then host it on zippyvideos.com. I tried hosting a video on google, but it said they had to approve of it first, and that could take days. Thanks man.

[quicklocks]

you can host any size on file front thats where i used to post mine

[YellowSnow]

Guess who finally picked his first 5-pin padlock, complete with two spool pins?

Oh man, you have no idea how excited I am right now. I just bought a 20 piece pick set; this one right here



Thanks for all your help guys. After doing the zen exercises in the MIT guide (the ones where you close your eyes and visualize what's going on inside the lock), I totally owned this padlock. I just stared in amazement when I heard it click and pop open.

I know I sound like a noob because you guys can pick much harder stuff, but this was incredibly exciting on my part.

[devildog]

It's ok--everyone on here has experienced that, and still does when they spank a lock that they're not expecting to be able to open . Just wait till you get your first Medeco!