Confirming security pins

[talbuz]

Is there some way of confirming whether a lock has security pins such as spools,mushrooms, etc by looking up some lock database, e.g. some online resource?

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[Jaakko]

Try manufacturers website. For example ABUS usually tells this info of their locks.

[le.nutzman]

Is there some way of confirming whether a lock has security pins such as spools,mushrooms, etc by looking up some lock database, e.g. some online resource?

.

The best way by interpreting the feed back you're receiving when picking the lock. If a pin seems to set unusally far then most likely you're dealing with some type of spool pin. Confirmation can be made by easing the amount of tension on the plug and trying to continue to lift the pin stack. If it moves, then you're dealing with a spool spin. If the pin seems to set and you can't lift if any more and you completely release tension and it lifts and sets again, and again, you're dealing with probably a serrated pin.

Most times, from my personal experience, security pins are mainly found in higher end locks, Yale, Schlage, Sargent......etc. SFIC/LFIC locks can use security pins but because of their specific nature usually don't. Use the search function to look for posts by me addressing tension dealing with security pins, hope those help.

[Satan130]

the closest thing i can think of for a "databass of security pins in locks" would be this thread. i personaly have never had any luck with it, but it has a lot of great info, so give it a shot.

[ToolyMcgee]

Satan's link would be my first stop on this site. Nutzman is correct about feedback identification, but you would have to know how a security pin feels before you could identify it in a lock. Jaakko has a great solution too. Many locks identify security features on the package as advertising, and so do their websites. Sometimes even a maintenance pdf with diagrams and measurements.

All I have to add is one link one security pins in Master locks.
http://www.lockpicking101.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=23712

[talbuz]

This is helpful, thanks all of you.

Yes I need hands-on experience on security pins. Thats one reason for asking, I want to buy a lock which I know for sure has these kind of pins, and how many. Thinking of getting lockpicks.com's Ez Rekey Practice Lock which has spools. I know these dont always give the same feel as the real thing, but might still be helpful.

I have encountered a couple of pin tumbler locks which look straightforward but are giving me a hard time. One is a small lock on on an aluminum door in my house. When I push pins up, the cylinder turns strongly against the direction Im tensioning it in. This means a spool or mushroom I believe?

I also have a padlock I got from KMart in USA, Master 141D, it only has 4 pins and I have managed to open it twice, but its now defying me to the extent that Im wondering whether its my level of inexperience kicking in or if it has security pins which make it harder than normal. It is classed as Maximum Security and says 'Precision Pin Tumbler Mechanism' on its literature. Is this any indication?

[talbuz]

(Correction, the EZ ReKey Cutaway Practice Lock is from www.lockpickshop.com)

[le.nutzman]

This is helpful, thanks all of you.

Yes I need hands-on experience on security pins. Thats one reason for asking, I want to buy a lock which I know for sure has these kind of pins, and how many. Thinking of getting lockpicks.com's Ez Rekey Practice Lock which has spools. I know these dont always give the same feel as the real thing, but might still be helpful.

I have encountered a couple of pin tumbler locks which look straightforward but are giving me a hard time. One is a small lock on on an aluminum door in my house. When I push pins up, the cylinder turns strongly against the direction Im tensioning it in. This means a spool or mushroom I believe?

I also have a padlock I got from KMart in USA, Master 141D, it only has 4 pins and I have managed to open it twice, but its now defying me to the extent that Im wondering whether its my level of inexperience kicking in or if it has security pins which make it harder than normal. It is classed as Maximum Security and says 'Precision Pin Tumbler Mechanism' on its literature. Is this any indication?

If it's any consideration to you, have american 5200 cores with keys that I can assure you have both spool serrated and serrated pins. If you're interested, drop me a pm and I can send you a couple to play with, they make great practice locks and I can send you a body to put them in so you can make it a real world picking situation. Let me know.

Also, as Tooly pointed out, familiarity with feedback on security pins is important. Unless there better descriptive words heres what I use:

Spool pin = feels like pressing on a medium well steak, firm yet giving to the point that you know it can still overcome the bottom portion of the spool design, use this feeling in conjuction with the tension wrench action, plug wanting to start to turn back on itself is also a good indication that you're dealing with a spool, more that normal INITIAL plug movement, good indication, overall firm spongy feeling, most likely a spool

Serrated = rock solid, nothing's moving as if you've correctly set the stack, but upon lessening the tension and turning the plug back a hair bit, the pin stack clears and sets again. Most secruity pins used in the American 5200 padlocks have 3 deep serrations, as well as having the spools serrated on each end, go figure.