Lock Identification

[Squall]

hello!

I am new here...I think this is my second post.....
I have been practicing on some master locks with moderate sucess yet I have two unanswered questions. I am sure the answers are somewhere on this forum yet I cannot properly phrase the questions in order to search them out. The first is this: I have a masterlock, somewhat old, that has no model number as far as I can tell. It has what looks like a lightening bolt keyhole that freely rotates. It has standerd pins on the top but the keyhole makes it seemingly impossible to apply tension to. Is there a name for this type of lock, so I can continue my research? Secondly, I have been working on a masterlock number three. I can pick it easily within three minutes, and the plug rotates about 90 degrees yet the lock does not open. No matter how much pressure i apply it stays firmly locked; yet key opens it just find. Is this common? Is there a technique I should be applying?

Again thank you for the help...If it has already been posted elsewhere I am sorry, and will continue to look for it.

Thank you

[JackNco]

we need a picture to identify the lock but shoudl be no problem after that

as for the number three i haven't herd its a common problem but before u pick it push the plug back and make sure ur tension wrench isnt catching on the bottom plate or the raised rim round the core.

all the best

[maxxed]

The lightning bolt key way padlock is a warded padlock, it does not have pins but uses a series of wards to block the improper key from turning. Now that you know what it is you can search the forum for the proper way to pick/decode these locks

[Spike666]

"maxxed" your exactly right... the warded style is cheep but from a picking standpoint most dont even bother to learn it..

and for the other? I guess, you may need just a little more preasure from a 1/8" flat screwdriver (small) to give you a little more torque to open it.you will bend all of your tension wrenches trying to open padlocks..

[m3ph15t0]

dang. You guys beat me too it. I was gonna tell him that the lighning bolt was a warded lock.
ah, whatever. I read somewhere that when picking a number 3 you have to be really careful that your wrench doesn't catch on anything. I've seen numerous posts on the #3 so I bet if you looked around a little you'd find some tips.