First time post, padlock question

[Sick_Puppy]

http://stevehigham.bulldoghome.com/pages/stevehigham_bulldoghome_com/04062006056.jpg

Firstly a big hello, taken an interest in locks at a relatively late age ( Im 31 )

But Im interested in learning the basics of this fine art, if only to keep me occupied of an evening.

I have read pretty much every post that interests me on this website and am really impressed with the knowledge some folk have.


The image above is of a lock I want to master, no pun intended, I have just fitted 2 to each of my garden sheds and so no harm done if I break them.

What is the best technique for this type of lock, I have tried making shims but alas failed every time.

TIA and Hello to All

db edit: Changed IMG tag to URL tag. Warning... HUGE picture

[Jason13]

This may be like my Zone padlock that i have a thread about so im guessing this has spools which arnt a good thing to practise on.

All i know is that this lock contains maybe 1 or 2 spools and is pretty secure.

[cracksman]

I've been picking for about a year, I'm 33, so you're starting young "Master" locks are generally easy to pick, though I haven't tried the one in your picture. I believe it still took me about two or three weeks of practice (maybe 30 minutes a day) before I could pick them consistently. Your lock may indeed have a security pin or 2 though, if this is the case it is probably not the best to learn on. If you can buy a "Master" no. 3 or no. 5, you may have more success with that, better yet get a Kwikset deadbolt or its equivalent. Shimming is a bypass method, it will generally get you to pop the lock, for me it's not as satisfying though....

[lockedin]

Shimming will not work on that lock, as it dead locks. It does not work like the mechanisms found in cheaper locks with a spring.

[undeadspacehippie]

Shimming will not work on that lock, as it dead locks. It does not work like the mechanisms found in cheaper locks with a spring.

What is dead locking? Is it similar to the locking function in the Master Pro Series - where you have to pull the shackle down?.

[Lukekjackson]

Looking at the lock, it seems like the shackle isn’t sprung, and you have to hold it in position while you turn the key. I’d say its similar in that way to lever padlocks.

As it’s the mech holding the shackle shut and not the pressure of a spring on the “catch” (wrong word I know), shimming wouldn’t work as the catch is held solid

[horsefeathers]

If the shackle is held in place by a ball bearing then you can forget about shimming.

Congrats by the way on posting the worlds biggest photo ever to appear on the forum.........

regards

[Jason13]

Wiper blades wont fit in this lock btw

[Jason13]

you will need hacksaw blades or slimline picks