newb question about diff between disc tumblers and blade cyl

[emick]

I'm as new as one can get but eager to learn...

I believe I'm getting lost in the terminology of it all and which tools to use...

I have a handful a padlocks I'm working my way through with a couple of homemade tools from templates I found here. I'm stuck on an American Lock Series L50 padlock. Looking up what info I can find on it, I read that it's a "Blade Cylinder" padlock. In the same description it describes the lock and refers to "rekeyable, disc tumbler cylinders". I guess I'm confused on which it actually is, because in my limited understanding, they're two different types of tumblers. Am I wrong?

here's a couple of descriptions I could find online (although not on American Lock's website (maybe I've got an out-of-production lock?)

here's one...

"Solid brass body padlock with case hardened, triple-plated boron alloy steel shackle. Stainless steel double-ball locking mechanism. Features 10-blade tumbler cylinder."

and again here....

"Locks are solid brass body with boron alloy steel shackle and stainless steel double-ball locking mechanism. Choose from 5 or 6-pin tumbler brass cylinders with solid steel cover plate or 10-blade tumbler brass cylinders."


Ultimately I'm trying to find out the best method of opening the lock (raking with a couple different picks I made hasn't worked yet, but that may because I'm going about it wrong.) I've read about a Peterson bypass tool for American Lock Padlocks--do I need one of those?

thanks for any help or insite you can offer

Cheers!

[unlisted]

If you want to actually pick the lock as a hobby, May I suggest a half diamond and a tension wrench.

You do NOT need any bypass tools, etc if your in this for the hobby/sport of picking.

[l0ckp1cker]

Personally I'm no fan of the half diamond pick. I prefer the short hook (also for raking), but people differ.
If you do not know which pick is best for you in which situation, than I would suggest starting with easier locks.

American Locks aren't the easiest locks to start with.
I would suggest putting it aside until you have more experience with spool and serrated security pins before attempting to pick it.
Otherwise I'm pretty sure that this lock can be very frustrating

[Raymond]

Go ahead and try picking this lock with any pick and turning tool. However you must pick on both sides of the keyway as the wafers slide from both sides in five pairs. There is only one spring that scrambles all ten wafers. The rectangular hole in the center of a wafer is the same size on all wafers. When a pair are pushed into the unlocking position, the hole through both will line up exactly. This hole moves left or right according to the change in combination. The wavy key represents the location of the pair of holes in the plug.

The lock can be taken apart for rekeying after it is open. Inside the shackle hole will be a screw. Remove it. A sliding pin must then be taped out of its hole sideways into the hole vacated by the screw tip. The pin holds the wafer cylinder in.

Rekeying is almost always done by replacing the plug with a new one set to a different key. Some cores are ordered with wafers that are too long on both sides. You put your old key in and file, grind, or holesaw the excess wafer material from around the core. This is to key that lock to an original key that probably works other locks.

I do not consider these locks to be difficult to pick. Maybe 2 on a 1 to 10 scale.

On a side note, they are one of the most weather resistant locks around. They are great to use under a vehicle.

[emick]

wow--that was an extremely detailed explanation--thanks for taking the time to so clearly outline what I need to do! I'll give it a shot when I get back home and maybe finally figure it out. I wasn't picking both sides and that was probably my mistake. You say that any pick will work--I'm always lost on which pick to choose first and then when I can't get the lock open, I just assume it's because I'm using the wrong pick. I really need to do some more reading on tool selection. I'm not really clear whether selecting the right pick is based more on a knowledge of what the internal lock mechanism looks like or if there other guiding principles? Is there a recommended thread on here which addresses matching the right tool to the right lock on a macro level? Sounds like which pick to use is very much a matter of personal preference and maybe something that only experience will teach me.

A quick question re: tools other than picks...

I saw a youtube video of a guy opening a bunch of American Lock padlocks with a set of jigglers. do jigglers work on most padlocks or just the cheaper one's? He was just flying through these locks--opening them with complete ease. Why are picks relied upon in such situations when jigglers or bypass tools do the job with perhaps more ease? Is it strictly personal preference on which tools are used? Not having puzzled over locks long enough to know what aspect of it really interests me yet, I do know that I'm interested in learning how to effectively pick, but at the end of the day, I ultimately just want the satisfaction of unlocking whichever lock I'm stuck on--using whatever tool I need to (excluding bolt cutters of course:). Is the focus of this forum primarily on picking?

[Raymond]

Yes
Yes
and Yes
Picking is not an absolute on style and which tool to use. One must remain flexible and willing and able to try anything different. You will develop more skill with a favorite pick or two but this is something that comes with time and experience. Expect to make more turning tools than picks. The different sizes and thicknesses do make a difference.

In my wallet I carry three turning tools, (1. normal stepped, 2. thick and wide, and 3. Best) and 4. one curved pick and 5. one diamond pick. I use #1 and $ 99% of the time.