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I think I broke my lock....

Having read the FAQ's you are still unfulfilled and seek more enlightenment, so post your general lock picking questions here.
Forum rules
Do not post safe related questions in this sub forum! Post them in This Old Safe

The sub forum you are currently in is for asking Beginner Hobby Lock Picking questions only.

I think I broke my lock....

Postby Darthbiz » 3 Jan 2011 17:44

Hi. I'm just getting started with lockpicking. Sorry if this is a dumb question.

I have, over the past month or so, amassed a small collection of padlocks. Some were bought, a couple were donated, and a couple I actually found in the scrap metal bin at work. I've been able to pick most of them pretty reliably, and I'm getting quicker at picking the ones that have been giving me trouble, but I fear I may have ruined one of my locks.

The lock in question is a Master No. 40 discus lock. I had a really hard time with this one at first, it requires pretty heavy tension to actually turn the shackle. Turns out I had it picked many times, but never put enough pressure on my tension wrench to actually rotate it.

So when I made this discovery and the lock finally popped for me, I was ecstatic. I immediately began picking it over and over, amazed at how simple it really was, but... then it stopped turning.

When I put the key in the lock, sometimes it works, and sometimes it won't. When it does jam up, you have to jiggle the key around a bit before it'll turn. Since it started doing this, I havn't been able to pick it open once.

So my question(s) is(are), have I done irreparable damage to my lock? Is there something specific I may have done that perhaps I could avoid doing in the future? Is there anything I can do to fix the lock?


Thanks for reading :)
Darthbiz
 
Posts: 8
Joined: 3 Jan 2011 16:32

Re: I think I broke my lock....

Postby weilawei » 3 Jan 2011 19:39

Probably just needs to be lubricated.
weilawei
 
Posts: 99
Joined: 23 Sep 2004 14:18

Re: I think I broke my lock....

Postby Darthbiz » 3 Jan 2011 22:05

Thanks, I will try that.
Darthbiz
 
Posts: 8
Joined: 3 Jan 2011 16:32

Re: I think I broke my lock....

Postby Raymond » 4 Jan 2011 0:00

I will make a guess as to what you have done to the padlock.

In the process of picking the pick may have scratched the top of the plug where the pin comes through or the groove the pin slides in to the extent that the key pin is stuck in the top or the driver cannot move downward. By shaking the lock and key you are causing the key pin to move down where it belongs. First try lubricating the lock and then try using a curved or diamond pick to physically scrape the pin grooves clear.

Please make sure your picks have been finely sanded to prevent scratching the lock.
Nothing is foolproof to a talented fool. Wisdom is not just in determining how to do something, but also includes determining whether it should be done at all.
Raymond
 
Posts: 1357
Joined: 18 Jan 2004 23:34
Location: Far West Texas

Re: I think I broke my lock....

Postby Darthbiz » 4 Jan 2011 19:57

I lubed it up with some 3-in-1 light machine oil and it's working like a charm now. :D

Much appreciated guys.

And yes, my picks are really smooth. I made em out of hacksaw blades so I put a lot of effort into filing all the edges as smooth as possible, then sanded them until they shine with 250 grain sandpaper.
Darthbiz
 
Posts: 8
Joined: 3 Jan 2011 16:32


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