Defiant lock problems

[bedheadben]

Hello, I am new to lockpicking (just got my MPXS-8 from SouthOrd today), and I bought a Master #3, and a Defiant deadbolt lock with 6 pins. I couldn't open the #3 after half an hour, so I switched to trying the Defiant. I got it 3 times in the first 5 minutes (a great feeling), but now I can't open it and I've been trying for an hour! How it worked before, was I would just put a lot of tension on the tension wrench, and jiggle the pick in and out of the lock, then let off pressure (where I would hear a few clicks, which I think was overset pins setting properly) then re-apply tension and the plug would turn.

My question now is, what happened? I have tried different amount of tensions, different picks, etc. and it's just not opening. Wierd.

[Tygart]

I got the #3 opened really quickly.. I used a hook pick, with a light touch on my wrench..

I don't know anything about the Defiant, but I think you are putting too much tension. Also pick it pin by pin. You are going to mess up your lock if you keep doing that.

[melvin2001]

if that method works, then you have an incredibly bad lock lol. generally speaking that method wont work, and you should practice more consistent methods of picking, ease up on your tension (use just enough to bend the skin on your finger, if you feel that you are using enough tension then you are probably using too much).

Practice a lot, work on single pin picking, and you'll get it in no time.

[bedheadben]

This is wierd, it's totally inconsistant. I did what you guys suggested, and the first time the Defiant opened in 10 seconds, and now I can't open it again. I wonder what I am doing wrong.

[Tygart]

Try and Change the order that you set the pins..

[bedheadben]

Try and Change the order that you set the pins..

How I've been doing it lately is putting the pick next to one of the wards below the pins, because there is not enough space directly under the pins for my hook to fit. So I have been setting the pins front to back, then back to front, several times in a row until it opened because it is hard to tell if a pin is binding because I'm not sure if I'm lifting the pin or scraping the pick along the side of the plug. Here's a pic of the warding:

[Tygart]

Put your pick in first and then the wrench and see if that helps any.

[bedheadben]

Put your pick in first and then the wrench and see if that helps any.

It's weird because I did it on my first try in less than 10 seconds SPP right after I read what you said, but then I tried again, and again, and it didn't work. Hmm. I wonder how I am changing up what I do. Anyways, here is how I put the tension wrench and the pick in the lock, so I don't think it matters which one goes in first anyways.

[Tygart]

I see.. Well then I am at a loss. Lets wait for more replys, maybe ill learn something new.

All I can say is try and change how much tension you use. More\Less.

[bedheadben]

Okay, I think I might have figured out what the problem is, just not the solution. Well, I think the problem is pin #3. It NEVER sets unless if it get's carried up with another it seems. I got all the pins set except pin #3, and no matter how far I pushed it up, it always sprang back down. Hmm.

[Tygart]

As you set the pins does the plug turn at all?

[bedheadben]

Not that I can feel or hear or see, no. What is also a little strange is that everytime I walk up to it after doing something else for a while, I can open it in under 10 seconds, but then for the rest of the time I can't do it.

[Tygart]

Thats they way it usally goes...

[bedheadben]

Hmm, more stuff to ponder. I was looking at the top of the lock and all of the pins line up exactly except #3 is EVER so slightly offset from the rest, like 1/10th of a millimeter. Barely even visably, but from looking at the top of the shafts close up, that's how it looks to me.

[bedheadben]

The same thing is still happening, all but pin #3 will set. And then, when I set the second to last pin, the lock turned a degree or two, then stopped, and then pin #3 wouldn't even go up.