Cheap padlock newbie question (sorry!)

[pyrokinetic]

Hi there,

I recently bought myself two el-cheapo no name brand padlocks and one equally no name combination lock. the padlocks are tiny little things (I've included pictures) and no matter how hard I try, how many videos and or 'tutorials' I look at, I still can't pick these stupid little padlocks! part of it seems to be the fact they are just genuinely shitty locks, I have difficulty even opening them with a key let alone picking them, but does anyone have any advice? like I say, I've read many tutorials and have watched many videos but none of the techniques work and I can't even blame my tools because I bought the basic 5 piece set from southord. Now I know lockpicking can be done because my fiance tested it on a lock she bought, different brand and type and she picked the lock, so is it perhaps just the way my locks work? maybe cheaper is better in terms of safety? also, I can't shim my combination lock! I cut a soda can to pieces and used basically every possible scrap I could and only JUST managed to get it to pop open once and have come nowhere even close since then, it's a tad disheartening when you see others who can do it so effortlessly and stuff so I need to know it's not just me.....(or maybe it is?)...anyway, let me know what you can tell me, thanks

Photo 12.jpg

[Squelchtone]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

Two interesting things often happen when working with dollar store padlocks.

1. They are often built so poorly, that as you noticed even the correct key has a hard time working, which usualy means picking will be a chore because of really bad feedback as well as inability to properly tension because there is so much slop in the mechanism.

2. Ironically enough, some cheap brass pin tumbler padlocks from Asia are actually fully loaded with mushroom shaped anti pick security top pins.

These two things might be working against you. As a beginner I remember also using far too much tension while picking, in fact I even broke some of my first commercially made tension wrenches/turning tools. If your finger is turning white around the tension wrench, you're pressing too hard.

Speaking of commercially made picking tools, it's good that you got a nice small basic set of "real" picking tools as opposed to paper clips, bobby pins, or safety pins. That stuff is great in the movies, but not usually in real life unless you already know how to pick. Eventually you will move up to a bigger and better commercial set, or you may find that making your own quality handmade picks from stainless steel or other stock will be up your alley.

Skip the cheap padlocks next time and pick up a single cylinder deadbolt from the hardware store or dept store. Brands like Schlage, Defiant, Mountain Security, and older version of Kwikset (non Smartkey models) come to mind and should run you $10-$35 US dollars depending on where you buy them. ReStore, a used builders supply store, is a good place to find in your area. It's run by Habitat for Humanity, and is a great place to find inexpensive locks and lock cylinder that were donated.

As for shimming that combo lock, what shape are the cutouts on the shackle when you use the actual combination to open the lock? are they triangluar or square? if they are square, I am not sure you can shim that kind of lock. Also, on some of these combo padlocks you have to shim both legs of the shackle at the same time in order to open the shackle.

good luck and have fun!

Squelchtone

[peejay52]

good advice squelch...i too have trouble with the cheapie brass padlocks but succeed with euro locks..
Methinks they are better in the skip

[pyrokinetic]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

Two interesting things often happen when working with dollar store padlocks.

1. They are often built so poorly, that as you noticed even the correct key has a hard time working, which usualy means picking will be a chore because of really bad feedback as well as inability to properly tension because there is so much slop in the mechanism.

2. Ironically enough, some cheap brass pin tumbler padlocks from Asia are actually fully loaded with mushroom shaped anti pick security top pins.

These two things might be working against you. As a beginner I remember also using far too much tension while picking, in fact I even broke some of my first commercially made tension wrenches/turning tools. If your finger is turning white around the tension wrench, you're pressing too hard.

Speaking of commercially made picking tools, it's good that you got a nice small basic set of "real" picking tools as opposed to paper clips, bobby pins, or safety pins. That stuff is great in the movies, but not usually in real life unless you already know how to pick. Eventually you will move up to a bigger and better commercial set, or you may find that making your own quality handmade picks from stainless steel or other stock will be up your alley.

Skip the cheap padlocks next time and pick up a single cylinder deadbolt from the hardware store or dept store. Brands like Schlage, Defiant, Mountain Security, and older version of Kwikset (non Smartkey models) come to mind and should run you $10-$35 US dollars depending on where you buy them. ReStore, a used builders supply store, is a good place to find in your area. It's run by Habitat for Humanity, and is a great place to find inexpensive locks and lock cylinder that were donated.

As for shimming that combo lock, what shape are the cutouts on the shackle when you use the actual combination to open the lock? are they triangluar or square? if they are square, I am not sure you can shim that kind of lock. Also, on some of these combo padlocks you have to shim both legs of the shackle at the same time in order to open the shackle.

good luck and have fun!

Squelchtone

Thanks so much for taking the time to write such a detailed reply, I really appreciate it

I think what I might do is try one of the deadbolts in the house and see if I can do that at all, and I like the sound of shimming both leg shackles, hadn't thought of that!

I'll try them when I'm able to and post my results, thanks once again

[cppdungeon]

NOOOOO DONT DO THAT! not that my internet yelling will reach you in time, but it's never recommended to pick locks in use--sometimes they break, then you have to call a locksmith and that can get kinda expensive.

As far as locks go, everyone here has you on the right track. go to your local hardware store and get some el-cheapo locks, or go hit up the BST and see if you can get some cheap cylinders there. Deadbolt cylinders are good because they are pretty easy to re-pin and they are fun to play around with, and they are cheap.

--Cpp

[Squelchtone]

I think what I might do is try one of the deadbolts in the house

That's weird.. I didn't mention doing that in my very detailed post. As cppdungeon said, NOOOOOOOO.. Resist the urge to pick locks that are being used to secure your own house, or your dorm room, or business, or friends house, or random padlocks hanging off fences and gates. You could break a pick off inside, and then the key wont work, or you can pull out some of the small pins and springs, or compress springs and get the lock stuck half open, or make it work funny when the regular key is used.

One of the main schools of thought when it comes to hobby lockpicking is that we pick the locks that are in our collections, or we pick friends' locks when we have gatherings and meetings, but those locks are usually held in hand, or in a bench vise, not actually mounted in a real working door. We all work hard to legitimize the locksport hobby, and separate it from the general public's and the media's negative view of lock picking as being something creepy that only burglars, bored teenagers, and bad guys do.

keep at it, but keep it legal.
Squelchtone

[jeffm]

A good and easy lock to start with would probably be something like a Master #5 padlock. They are easy, will likely boost your confidence and you should be able to find em at the local hardware store.