Fun

[Lograph]

I've been having a good time with the Master no.3 that I took apart (thanks again for the instructions), and have progressed to the point where I can pick an intact one fairly easily. Next up is to re-pin the practice lock with alternating high/low pins.
My question is whether anyone is familiar with a Magnum padlock? Brass, made in China, No. 240 stamped next to the key hole. The, plug turns in one direction only, and is fairly smooth, but after setting the pins (4 of them) it hangs up. Would appear to be a cheap lock, do you think there are mushroom pins in there? I will continue practicing with less pressure, just was wondering if anyone had run across one of these before.
58 and sunny......c'mon SPRING!!

[quicklocks]

sounds to me like there is atleast one spool or mushroom pin in there, get it to hang up then feel each pin the stiffest one is likely to be the spool pin gently lift this pin wilst leting off the tension rather like a seesaw, balance the pressure on the pin with the pressure on the tension bar and it should open if it hangs agian find the next spool pin the same way untill the lock opens

[pinsetter]

I also have a cheap generic padlock, the kind in one of those plastic casings that is supposed to make a 10 cent lock weatherproof. The lock is put together so badly, the tolerances are horrible, the pin alignment is way off of centerline, and the plug is so loose that picking the lock is nearly impossible without security pins. It is just one of those locks that are pick resistant from being built so badly.

Has anyone else ever encountered these cheap built pieces of garbage that become hard to pick just because they're made so crappy?

[Octillion]

Has anyone else ever encountered these cheap built pieces of garbage that become hard to pick just because they're made so crappy?

Yep. They usually shim real easy though.

[Indecision]

Has anyone else ever encountered these cheap built pieces of garbage that become hard to pick just because they're made so crappy?

I've got one sitting on my desk right now. It's made by Masterlock, but it's branded as "Fortress." The thing's a real piece. Sometimes I can open it with just a rake in mere seconds, and sometimes I can fiddle with it for several minutes getting nowhere. That's what frustrates me more than anything, it isn't even consistent.

[cheesehead]

I have an old dexter deadbolt like that. it is so beat up and worn out that some of the pins won't stay set. you can hear them "click" at the sheer line, but they fall back down. Tension ajustments do nothing to help the problem. the only way to pick it, is to rake it - sometimes it opens first try, other times it becomes my white whale, and I have to dedicate the next 10 minutes of my life working on it, just to make sure it doesnt beat me.