Pins on yale locks

by **barlowtoad** » 28 Mar 2007 14:09

Just started picking locks and after reading different forums decided to start with a yale cylinder lock. But on removing the pins so i only had only a couple in the lock to pick, I descovered that two of the (not sure of the name) pins in the outer casing of the lock had an I shaped profile. Why are they different and in which place in the lock (1.2.3.4.5) should they be?????

by **horsefeathers** » 28 Mar 2007 14:19

they are called spool pins and are designed to frustrate picking. I beleive they go in positions 2 + 4 in yales but may be wrong. To see how they work, put a normal pin in 1, and a spool in 2 and see the difference in feel, and what happens when you engage the plug in the spool. It will give the impression of being picked (ie. turns slightly) but goes no further.

To release, ease back the tension slightly while at the same time pushing firmly up on the pin under the spool. The plug will want to rotate in the opposite direction you are trying to pick it. Suddenly it will move up and should now be clear of the shear line.

You may have to reset the first 'normal' pin again if it has fallen down but then hey presto lock will open.

regards

by **barlowtoad** » 28 Mar 2007 14:31

cool thanks tried to pick an unaltered lock and was getting a sudden release of presure on the tension tool as the barrel turned slightly so gessing that is what it was.

by **Chucklz** » 28 Mar 2007 14:49

Just because the spools are put in 2 and 4 by the manufacturer, doesn't mean you have to keep them that way!. Just avoid all spools, as this may make the key hard to remove/insert. This occurs if when pulling out/inserting the key you turn the plug slightly, snagging a spool, and jamming the key in the lock.

by **JackNco** » 28 Mar 2007 17:44

Yale seem to put pins in all over the shop. ive had a one with 3 spools new from the box. but even so it is as said above a good idea to mix them around anyway. as well as changing the order of the key pins.

by **Shrub** » 28 Mar 2007 19:27

2 and 4, 3 spools could have been a funny lock maybe (as long as were talkign about the cheaper ones)

The Yales arent bad locks with the spools in but as said leave them out for now,

If you have a lockie nearby go ask him if you could buy two normal top pins off him for a yale lock, if there isnt one or your local one tells you to get lost post back on here, while your at it ask if he also has a couple of bottom pins,

With your two pins your laughing as you can repin your lock without the spools which should be kept safe for the future when your ready to move up a bit in dificulty,

by **JackNco** » 28 Mar 2007 19:40

wait does that mean yale always use 2 spools in the same 2 chambers and ive had a couple of locks that were messed up?

by **parapilot** » 28 Mar 2007 19:44

I have over 10 std yales here and all have spools in 2 and 4 only. You must have been lucky

But the X5..........

by **JackNco** » 28 Mar 2007 20:03

the strangest stuff ALWAYS happens to me...

by **Shrub** » 28 Mar 2007 20:04

Actually i do reccollect some of the older ones having sometimes 3 but ive only found it once maybe twice which could have been someone repinning it somepoint,

by **freakparade3** » 28 Mar 2007 20:40

I have a yale lock from the late 1970's early 1980's that has 3 spool pins. The spools are like no other spool pins I have ever seen. The middle is skinnier than other spools and the thickness of the ends is alot less. I have never seen pins like it in any other lock. Is this just a Yale thing? Or an older version of spool pins?

by **Shrub** » 28 Mar 2007 20:45

Im not positive what your describeing,

Do you mean they are like a slightly stretched spool pin? if so then yes i think they were the old style pins and the same ones ive found 3 in,

by **freakparade3** » 28 Mar 2007 21:08

Shrub wrote:Im not positive what your describeing,

Do you mean they are like a slightly stretched spool pin? if so then yes i think they were the old style pins and the same ones ive found 3 in,

Stretched spool pins is the perfect way to describe them :lol:

I'd never seen them before. Thanks Shrub.

by **Raccoon** » 28 Mar 2007 23:03

I'd like some of these, please.

by **barlowtoad** » 29 Mar 2007 6:42

Thanks for the response have gone out and bought another lock (now three in total). So I have set up one lock with one pin, one with three pins and one with all five thus avoiding the spool pins in all the locks but when ready have six of them to place in verious positions as i learn

thanks

Pins on yale locks

Pins on yale locks

Who is online