The meaning of no more binding after setting the first pin

[Thanshin]

As I pick a particular lock (a six pin TESA), I feel the 5th pin is binding. But after I set it, there are no more binding pins. No pin gives me any response. When I release tension, I hear one single pin falling.

My interpretation is that there are two possibilities:
- I'm oversetting that pin: so I try to set it more and more carefully, but I always go from that pin binding to no response from any pin.
- I'm oversetting a different pin while I reach that one: I don't know what to do there.

Is there any option I'm not imagining, a way of approaching that situation or some other test I should be trying?

[sheerluck]

You could also be undersetting it?

[Thanshin]

You could also be undersetting it?

I don't think so. If I was, the 5th pin would still be binding. As it is, after setting the 5th, no pin reacts in any way I can feel.

[femurat]

Are you sure it's set? It may feel like it's set but it's actually not. I have an old tesa and it has serrated top and bottom pins!
This may be the case, but also one of the two hypotheses you made could be correct.

Are you sure the lock works properly?

Do you have the key? Look at it and get an idea of the bittings/height the pins need to be set to.

Try to poke around with the other pins. Feel what happens when you deliberately push each one up.

Try pulsating the tension... Heck, there must be a way!

Good luck

[Thanshin]

Are you sure it's set? It may feel like it's set but it's actually not. I have an old tesa and it has serrated top and bottom pins!
This may be the case, but also one of the two hypotheses you made could be correct.

I'll try to push it further up. Maybe I'm undersetting it for lack of reach that far into the keyway. I'll try fitting in a higher curve hook.

Are you sure the lock works properly?

I'm not sure, as it's one of the few in the lot that came without a key, but it looks quite clean.

Also, it has two sides, presumably identical, as it comes from a locksmith's discards. So both would have to be broken.

Do you have the key? Look at it and get an idea of the bittings/height the pins need to be set to.

No key.

The lack of key, and it being a 6pin TESA, also makes me think it could be way out of my skill level. If it's something like this:
http://www.tesa.es/es/site/tesa/product ... indro-tk6/
I don't think i have a chance.

Try to poke around with the other pins. Feel what happens when you deliberately push each one up.

They just fall back down.

Try pulsating the tension... Heck, there must be a way!

Hmm. I never tried even making the tension uneven, other than applied and released. I'll try that.

Good luck

Thanks.

[femurat]

The lack of key, and it being a 6pin TESA, also makes me think it could be way out of my skill level. If it's something like this:
http://www.tesa.es/es/site/tesa/product ... indro-tk6/
I don't think i have a chance.

If that's the cylinder, you need to set the active side pin. It's blue in the picture you linked, near the back of the keyway. You may leave it alone for now, since it will lead more frustration than education.

Cheers

PS: If that's the cylinder, I want one too

[Thanshin]

If that's the cylinder, you need to set the active side pin. It's blue in the picture you linked, near the back of the keyway. You may leave it alone for now, since it will lead more frustration than education.

I have other thirty locks in the same lot, so I'll just leave this one in the table to give it a try from time to time.

I'm still in the process of listing them by brand and perceived difficulty. I'll give this one a 4/5 and keep going. (I reserve the 5/5 for the one with the serrated key with dimples on one side.

[jbrint]

I have a 6 pin lock of unknown origin that does the same thing. A few taps on the front while easing up on tension generally settles things down. I made a little tool out of a metal dental scraper which is reasonably heavy and a piece of rubber tape so I don't damage the lock. It looks like a bump hammer on full stupid but works like a champ.

[Thanshin]

I've still not opened it, so I switched to another TESA I got in the same lot. This one with key. I see by the key that its 6th pin is max height and the 5th is the lowest possible.

Maybe my problem with both locks is that I overset the pin right in front of the binding one. I'll try using a higher hook. I think I'll need a top of the keyway wrench to fit one inside

[femurat]

You'll definitely need a TOK tension wrench. I thought you were already using one.

Cheers

[LocksportSouth]

FWIW, and this may be a totally different issue from the one you're having, but I find that when I set a pin and nothing else binds, it's usually because I've just overset that pin. I seem to be having a lot of oversetting issues lately...

[QuantumEntangled]

For me, when that exact thing happens, I am either not being delicate enough with my hook, using the wrong size hook, applying too much or little tension, under setting the pin I am aiming for or oversetting an adjacent pin.

Some things I would try are: varying tension, try different hooks, use a "reach" tool if you have one--if not a deforest half diamond should be okay. Try different tension locations--top or bottom of keyway can make a difference. Be easy with your pick and coax the pin rather than pry it for example. After you set it go back and see if the driver pin is floating with no springiness. If it is then u set the pin. If it is cemented and doesn't budge you over set it..

Try those friend, and if I think of anything else I will post it. Be patient and don't give up. You will get this.