stuck cores

[mapper123]

I have managed to pick 10 pin tumbler locks ( more luck than skill) ,but I run into 2 locks that are giving a lot of trouble. I can not get the pins to set as it seems the core is stuck & has no movement that I can discern. The pins move freely & the shackles move up & down on the springs. These are brass bodies with steel shackles> they are older used locks I bought off Ebay to practice with. Does anyone have suggestions as to how I might free up the cores .

[cheerIO]

did you try WD-40?

[hag3l3]

W. D. 4. 0.
the cure to all rusty nuts .
works gtrrrreat on locks too!

[GWiens2001]

What type of locks are they? Pics? It may help us help you.

Gordon

[mapper123]

1 is marked Almont "rekey" & the other is an Eagle & I have tried WD40.

[billdeserthills]

I like to do a soak, in some Isopropyl alcohol-- use the 91% if you can find it. Find a small container to put both padlocks into and cover with the alcohol. I find it works
better than brake cleaner for dissolving some things (like icky bug nests). I'd give it an overnight soak, shake it up good and then try picking the locks again later when you
get home.


BTW if the actual keyhole or core is cast zinc, like pot metal I would stop now, they are known to simply break down into dust if forced. You can tell by the color if it's pot metal

[mapper123]

I found a key that fit the Almont & that seemed to loosen the core some ....now I will try more to pick this lock.
Thank all of you that offered advice. I have yet to learn how post pictures.

[cj101]

I have yet to learn how post pictures.

You can post images by uploading them to an image hosting site. Check out for example this one:
http://tinypic.com
After uploading your image, a link for forums will be displayed (begins with [IMG]...). Just copy this link into your post.

Did you try out the real key of your lock. I ordered a lock sometimes ago from ebay, that did not work at all, even with the correct key. A spring was damaged.

[Squelchtone]

I found a key that fit the Almont & that seemed to loosen the core some ....now I will try more to pick this lock.
Thank all of you that offered advice. I have yet to learn how post pictures.

Are you picking them to open them and rekey them or are you picking to learn picking as a hobby? I always give the advice to not learn or practice lock picking on old rusty padlocks because you won't learn the correct feedback and you'll end up breaking or bending your lock picks and feeling frustrated and defeated instead of happy when that shackle pops open.

good luck,
Squelchtone

[billdeserthills]

If you do pick open the Almont, be careful the plug (keyhole) doesn't fall out, if you turn it all the way. You need a wire retainer to hold the top pins in place--Before you remove the plug, or it's
gonna get messy with top pins & springs flying

[mapper123]

Squelchtone...... I bought a small lot of locks to practice on & these 2 were part of the lot I bought. I have managed to pick 10 of this lot which, some I am sure will not be picked by me. 2 have the shackle rusted to the lock body. I understand why you are advising me to stay clear of the ones that a probable problem. The 10 I did manage to pick seemed to be OK, but I am still consider these to be more luck than skill. I can locate the pins most of the time, but still have trouble feeling the pin that is binding.

[cj101]

If there is too much dirt in the lock (which I suppose could be, if the shackle is already rusted to the lock body), it can be quite hard, to feel anything. For beginners I would recommend new locks to practise on in all cases. You have to feel a brand new lock, to have an idea what you should expect, when picking an old lock.

The quality of the lock is also important. I have a cheap hardware stores Gera lock and it opens by raking 1-2 seconds. It does also not give a lot of feedback, because 4 of the 5 pins are already set, if you get to the only binding pin. The pins are extremely rounded and set almost themselves.