Serrated Pins - Whats the Big Deal?

[PoP Lock PoP Bottles]

I bought a master lock pro series 6521 and I can eliminate the possibility for the security pins - No mushroom and no spool. Multipins in a Masterlock is something i have neverheard of. I suspect that the pins that I occasionally am having trouble with are serrated - they are very springy. How does one go about bypassing these?

I tend to use extremely light tension and a half diamond in an up-and-down motion.

Any other recommendations?

[JK_the_CJer]

If a pin still feels springy as you are lifting it (attempting a set), this means that it is not binding. In other words, the binding order of the lock does not allow that pin to bind (which feels like friction) at that time. You must set some other pins before the pin(s) you are referring to are able to be set. Eliminate this as the cause of difficulty before worrying about the pins being serrated/spooled/etc.. That said, I believe that Master Pro Series are similar to American and do use serrated pins. Someone please correct me if this understanding is wrong.

[Squelchtone]

That said, I believe that Master Pro Series are similar to American and do use serrated pins. Someone please correct me if this understanding is wrong.

The way they false set, Master ProSeries have always felt to me like they have spool pins. I'll take one apart tonight and check it out. I don't have a brand new Master ProSeries, so who knows what they're putting in them these days.

As for Master Lock and American Lock, I believe there might be some design or parts sharing going on ever since Master Lock's parent company, Fortune Brands, bought American Lock in April of 2003. Some people have said it has led to a decline in the quality of American Lock padlocks.

Cheers,
Squelchtone

[Puzzlerf]

That said, I believe that Master Pro Series are similar to American and do use serrated pins. Someone please correct me if this understanding is wrong.

The way they false set, Master ProSeries have always felt to me like they have spool pins. I'll take one apart tonight and check it out. I don't have a brand new Master ProSeries, so who knows what they're putting in them these days.

As for Master Lock and American Lock, I believe there might be some design or parts sharing going on ever since Master Lock's parent company, Fortune Brands, bought American Lock in April of 2003. Some people have said it has led to a decline in the quality of American Lock padlocks.

Cheers,
Squelchtone

At my work Master and American pin's are used interchangeably . Only difference is the numbering system is off by 1. IE #4 Master pins are #5 American pins. Both sets use serrated pins on all the pin's except the first two numbers. Master 0's and 1's, American 1's and 2's.

[Squelchtone]

Ok, took my old Master ProSeries 6121 apart and found spools and a wierd pin that neither qualifes as a solid pin nor a real serrated pin. I suspect it's the one pin they put in the stacks so keys enter smoothly without getting caught up or rotating the plug before the key is inserted all the way.





Anyone have a new 6121 they care to take apart and photograph?

Thanks,
Squelchtone

[PoP Lock PoP Bottles]

Oh wow - Thanks. That is helpful, however my lock is a 6521 and contains only 5 pins. When I try and get the pins to set, I hear/feel no click, yet when i release on the wrench i hear clicks. I also get only a very small false set (less than 10 degrees. The lock must have a good tolerance because I can't feel which pins are binding. Nevertheless I can still get around this lock, despite my true understanding of it.