Pins not binding in Kwikset

[CptedIV]

Im new to this, but I've repinned a kwikset from 1 pin, to 5 and have successfully been able to open it all the way to 5 pins. I have a new kwikset deadbolt, that has a key also! I didn't want to take out any pins and mess with it this time, just try to pick it. Well, if I put the pick in, the 5th pin is binding. I can set it, but then the rest feel spring still and wont bind or set. If I just rake it and jiggle it, it'll open every time easy. But I want to get away from doing that, so I really wanna get better at SPP... What could be causing this?

Thanks!
Ed

[CptedIV]

Oh and, I've looked through the site first, I tried a lot of different things such as varying torque, using a lot or just using a little. With little torque the last pin will unset, with alot of torque I just feel springs.

[Tyler J. Thomas]

Have you tried changing the direction of tension? Clockwise instead of counter-clockwise and vice-versa.

[CptedIV]

i have just the lock cylinder, but no ive only been going clockwise. If I put the pick all the way in the back if it, put slightly heavy pressure and pull the pick out quick pushing down some, it opens easy. Just can't get it by doing the pins one at a time... Very frustrating

[LocksmithArmy]

I dont meen to sound dis =heartenign but it really sounds like you are just oversetting the last pin. or maby while you push up the last pin you overset the second to last pin...

Try going verry slowly and see what else you feel, if you feel any contact with other pins or if you are oversetting.

keep at it
good luck, hope this helps.

[CptedIV]

Ok, got it once going slowly and pushing the Pins up, but it seemed like I only had to lift the very last and the very first pin. That'd mean that the pins in the middle only needed to be barely pushed, and maybe when pulling the pick back to the first pin it sets the others? I can only feel two pins set with that little satisfying "pop"

[CptedIV]

Oh, also I used the half diamond instead of the regular hook when I set it going slowly and starting from the back. Don't know if that would change things much but it seemed to help...

[thelockpickkid]

I know that people here (some of them), are against raking a lock, sometimes it's the fastest way, some locks just don't SPP that well, others just don't rake.

[Solomon]

If it clicks into place and you're certain it hasn't been overset, and none of the others are binding, then you have a security pin. I know kwikset aren't exactly known for their pick resistance but it's a possibility. How much is the plug rotating when this pin feels like it's setting?

[SilverDegree]

I'm actually having the same problem with some of my locks. ( I'm new to lock-picking). But it seems that, I too, only set the last pin in some of my locks at it will open. Strange. I suppose I'm accidentally setting the middle ones when I pull my hook out, as you suggested.

[Solomon]

I'm actually having the same problem with some of my locks. ( I'm new to lock-picking). But it seems that, I too, only set the last pin in some of my locks at it will open. Strange. I suppose I'm accidentally setting the middle ones when I pull my hook out, as you suggested.

I have one lock which picks very quickly like that, I've no key for it but I imagine the drivers all rest very close to shear apart from the last pin... and because the tolerances are so low, setting that one pin causes the rest to sort of roll onto the shear line and it just opens. If this is the case, it also explains why picking the others individually yields no results - after all, they're practically on the shear line anyway. The plug in this particular lock has a lot of slew when at rest aswell, which also supports that idea.

It didn't cross my mind, but yeah, it's possible the OP may have a lock like this. CptedIV, can you get a pic of the bitting on the key? If it's full of deep cuts and has a shallow one at the end, it'll be a dead giveaway.

[magician59]

I have been picking locks for 40-some odd years. Very often Kwikset cylinders will not respond politely to SPP. I'm no engineer, but I believe the reason is the vast difference in the hardness of the pins (brass, or sometimes, nickel alloy) against the relative softness of the Zamac cylinder material. Raking IS picking (there--you've just heard it from a professional). If you want the experience of SPP on a Kwikset cylinder, get a higher-duty line, with a brass cylinder.

[ElAbogado]

Im new to this, but I've repinned a kwikset from 1 pin, to 5 and have successfully been able to open it all the way to 5 pins. I have a new kwikset deadbolt, that has a key also! I didn't want to take out any pins and mess with it this time, just try to pick it. Well, if I put the pick in, the 5th pin is binding. I can set it, but then the rest feel spring still and wont bind or set. If I just rake it and jiggle it, it'll open every time easy. But I want to get away from doing that, so I really wanna get better at SPP... What could be causing this?

Thanks!
Ed

I suspect that you think you have set the 5th pin, but in reality it is bound and not at the shear line. When this happens you experience exactly what you have described. Pay more attention to the tactile feel of this pin and try again. As stated below, some locks pick faster in one direction than the other, so often times one must pick them in the "wrong" direction and use a plug spinner to open the lock.

Binds on a locking mechanism, such as a deadbolt or car steering wheel can make picking difficult too.

Hope this helps.