Spool pins

[Hyperion]

Hey all ~:)

Just recently I took apart a Yale lock that I am using to practice on.
By taking it apart I was told I can better examine it and it's working, this is so very true, it's enlightening really once you get to see inside a lock.

With this lock, once opened up, there were 6 pin sets, 4 spring loaded with tapered ends, and 2 sets of spool pins.

I have been told to replace the pins at just a few sets at a time and practice on them until I can pick the lock with all of them back in place.

That is what I intend to do, for now I am going to replace either 2 or 3 sets and work from there.

My question is, were are the SPOOL PINS usually placed..

Pin set 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6?

AND also were do the actual SPOOL PINS sit? as the driver pins? or as the key pins??

I am thinking that the spool pins are the key pins, with the driver pins being normally shaped pins.. But I may be totally wrong..

Can anyone help me with this.. because of the fact that it was my first lock that I opened up to get to the insides, I didn't get the chance to see were the pins were set, as they all just pinged out all over the table lol.

I am sure I am not the 1st that , that situation has happened to lol, nor will I be the last hehe.

Anyway, can anyone help me with the positioning of the spool pins questions above??

Thanks in advance...
Regards... Hyperion

[Hyperion]

By the way, the spool pin sets in the yale lock in question, didn't have any springs in them, so I am wondering how I will tell when they're set right at the sheer line...

Thanks again...

Regards Hyperion

[Mr Ules]

Spool pins may be placed wherever the locksmith wants them placed. They are drive pins, not bottom pins. These, as you know, are security features. And when picking such a lock, exact tension is required.

[toomush2drink]

I would be very surprised if there were no springs above the spool pins are you 100% on this ? Most likely the springs got lost when you tok it apart. In future if you are just pulling it apart and not using a follower place the lock in a freezer bag then pull it apart as it will stop bits flying out and getting lost.

[Hyperion]

Spool pins are driver pins got it...

Springs do generaly go with the spool pins, hrmm got it..
Time to check the floor for missing springs

Picked my first padlock today, did it 4 times in a row heh Well pleased with myself..

Regards Hyperion

[Hojo]

When your removing the core, pull it out a little bit so only one pin comes out, this way, you can work out the key combo. Also when you are doing such, do it over a towel as it stops a few things like pins rolling/bouncing and stops springs flying...

[cracksman]

Hyperion,

Your lock originally had 6 springs, and 12 pins,
do a count and see how many you have now
I believe it was Yippiegollies who suggested pinning
the lock with the back pin as a non-security for alignment
instead of the front, a very intelligent idea. Most locks
I have come across have the one pin as the non-security
pin, so either way I guess.

Here is a pic of one way to order your pins, the keyway,
number one pin, is to the right:


Hope this helps, and like others said, open it in a bag next time

[wsbpress]

Cracksman, are those the pins from a factory Yale or did you (or someone else) re-pin that?

[cracksman]

Actually, it's a mix of American and Master Lock
pins that I use for an American padlock cylinder,
I just used the picture as a visual to help illustrate
what I was saying.

*the 2 and the 5 pin sit at the shearline when at rest,
therefore the spool pins are useless in those spots
A mistake I won't make anymore, gotta learn somehow
Also, the lock does not comply with MAC standards, another
mistake

[wsbpress]

Are those spool pins American padlock pins? I took apart an 1105 that I have and every single pin is serrated, both key and driver. I'd like to throw in some spools also. Any suggestions on a good Master/American or just American pinning kit (w/ spools and/or serrateds)?

[cracksman]

Unfortunately, I don't, I got 21 American
cylinders off Ebay, all those top pins are from
those locks. I would keep an eye on ebay
though, these things pop up sometimes.

[vector40]

Here's what I'd do:

1. Take out spool pins.

2. Throw away spool pins.

3. Daub cylinder with holy water and say ten Hail Marys.

4. Profit!