Padlocks rotating 90 degrees but won't open?

[loplyg]

Hi folks,

I'm trying to pick a pair of padlocks, one is a Yale with the number 60 near the keyhole, the other is unbranded gold thing.

I managed to pick both fairly easily and turned them both clockwise, but they both stop dead after roughly 30-45 degrees and won't open?

They are both quite rusty but the pins moved easily.

I presumed I was just turning the wrong way, but in the opposite direction I can't even get any pins to set or get it to turn at all (even though it was easy in the other direction) - as if it has no "give" in that direction.

Any ideas?

Cheers,
Rich

[FarmerFreak]

Clockwise should be the correct direction. And I think you may have answered your own question when you stated that they are quite rusty.

The inside mechanism could be seized, and or the shackle could be seized. Does the shackle wiggle at all?

Try lubricating it. After picking you can always try to force it with a screw driver if it isn't turning far enough.

This is fairly generic advice, if you can post some pictures we may be able to come up with some better advice. But if it really is rusted shut, your kinda stuck. Either way we like pictures.

[loplyg]

The shackle won't move or wiggle at all, nope.

The internal mechanisms all seem good. The pins move easily and when the lock is picked the plug rotates quickly and smoothly.

The shackle looks like it might be rusted to the body possibly, but I find it strange the plug only turns such a small amount, particularly on the Yale. I can't see how a rusted shackle would cause that?

I'll get some pics!

[FarmerFreak]

If the shackle won't move at all. It is possible that you are unlocking it and it just needs an extra tug to open it. This is where brute force comes in handy, you can clamp the shackle into a vice and hit the lock body away from the vice with a big punch and a hammer. It's a little destructive (or a lot) but usually won't break anything, just leaves nasty marks on the lock.

Even if the key isn't turning far enough you will still need to get the shackle to wiggle before it can be opened.

Ultimately I think the locks you have will just have to be practice locks. It is probably more work than it is worth to try and get them to work.

[loplyg]

Turns out it was just a case of the shackle rusting to the body of the lock, both inside the lock and around the surface at the top.

Worked it loose by banging and jiggling and it opened fine.

Quick scrub with some wd4 and a toothbrush made them work normally from now onwards.

[lock2006]

Just use some W40 and see what happens
it sound like they are just rusty good luck.