My skills progressing, and need some help!

[haykuro]

I threw together a neat little video to show off how my skills have progressed so far, and because I need a bit of help on the last lock shown. (more info below)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lb-RRZ1cn2M

In order of appearance:
- No. 380 Master Lock (http://www.masterlock.com/apps/masterlo ... /homeyard/)

- Random Defiant deadbolt from Home Depot (can't recall the model exactly, but it's a 5-pin deadbolt, with one spool pin [i think. haven't opened it yet but it sure feels like it ;P])

- Schlage ANSI Grade 1

- Master No. 140

The lock I can't pick, only managed it once with ease, is the last one at 3 minutes in to the video.

I believe (based on the keys) it's a 3-pin lock? (Am I looking at that right?)

It's odd, also, because the first time i picked it the pins seemed to have more response.. now they're really stiff and it's difficult to tell if a pin is set or not..

Any tips/advice would be appreciated!

Thanks again for such a wonderful community, and I've learned so much from you guys and hope to continue to learn!

[haykuro]

Almost forgot to mention, here's a link to the Walgreens site maybe it'll help if you can't identify the lock based on the video? http://www.walgreens.com/store/catalog/Toolbox/Heavy-Duty-Steel-Padlocks/ID=prod2497509-product

[Squelchtone]

I believe (based on the keys) it's a 3-pin lock? (Am I looking at that right?)

Your lock has 4 pins, the pins rest in those valleys. Some valleys are deep and obvious, some are very shallow and harder to see when you are a beginner. It's funny but the locks made in China these days seem to have more spool and mushroom security pins than locks like Master Lock which usually have 1 or less security pins. That may be stopping you from opening that "cheap" padlock.

You may also be having trouble because the lock, even though it probably has security pins, is not built to very high standards and that sloppiness may be stopping you from getting good feedback or good results.

You'll get more mileage from a mortise or rim cylinder that you can dump all the pins out of and practice by adding pins as you get better and better. ebay is a good place to find them.

Squelchtone

[haykuro]

Yay!

I managed to pick it open again, apparently that fourth pin is just so low in the back, that my hook pick was getting caught against it.. I thought it was the back of the lock but it was that fourth pin i was touching

It still kind of troublesome to pick considering the very low amount of feedback, but my success rate is a bit higher now (without raking the crap out of it )

Thanks Squelch!

Also, would you recommend any specific locks/cutaways to get off ebay?

[nostromo]

Nice post, squelchtone, VERY nice.

I bow to your diligence (and graphic skills)!!

The mailorder locksmith courses would do very well by their students if they would recruit you.

[Oaklandishh]

Yay!

I managed to pick it open again, apparently that fourth pin is just so low in the back, that my hook pick was getting caught against it.. I thought it was the back of the lock but it was that fourth pin i was touching

Ya I have some locks that do that to me too. Almost all locks let your picks go in pretty deep though, so if your pick is in really shallow your probably not on the last pin.

[pjzstones]

those lockage 40mm's have extremely bad tolerances and feedback. the springs suck, the play in the plug is pitiful, and the rest follows the same line. they can be very misleading. what you think you may be feeling could be a whole other thing. this was the third or fourth lock i picked and it still gives me problems.