Intermediate skill padlocks

[apaplayer]

Need to know a brand of lock between the easy Master padlocks and the tough Brinks. I began to pick locks about 2 months ago. Bought a Master #5 and a Brinks (brass lock with spools) 44 ml. Picked the Master in about 1 minute. I'm still working on the Brinks. I then got a Master 140, Master 130 that were not a challenge. I found a Brinks lock that is built like a Master with steel wafer-like body, this lock has either a mushroom or spool in the 2 position, but got through it in about 20 minutes. The Brinks with spools must also have some serrated key pins. I paid less than $7 for it. I picked it 2 times 2 days ago and now I'm stuck on it again. Haven't given up and still learning from it but wondering what's in between? Have got a Kwikset deadbolt but havn't been able to mount it yet, no time. I have red some threads that give brands of deadbolts but I need to stay with padlocks right now.

[LocksmithArmy]

Brinks Is the intermediate padlock...

you dont have to mount it... you can just pick your deadbolt locks

[apaplayer]

I thought there might be another brand that might have som spools but no serrated.

[UEDan]

Why don't you try an Disk style Abus locks? They usually have 2 security pins right?
As for the wikset lock, stick it on a vice. or stack it between stuff.

[pjzstones]

maybe a shlage dead bolt. i'm pretty sure they have spools and are about intermediate. i've never personally picked one though. you could also try a master lock pro series. i got one of them and its pretty fun to pick.

[lock2006]

Master #911 have some spool pins
also the american padlocks, also they have serrated
good luck.

[ridinplugspinnaz]

Definitely keep at that Brinks padlock, you'll be very glad you did later on. The first security pin lock I ever successfully picked was a similar Brinks padlock, and that thing taught me more about counter-rotation and just "feeling" the lock open than perhaps anything else in my collection. Mastering that lock was a real turning point for me, it was like a big "aha!" moment when I figured out just what I was feeling with that lock.

While lock2006 is right that the American padlocks are also good intermediate locks, I would recommend them for learning security pins on — I find that while they give decent feedback, they often require a heavy hand to push through the serrations, and that doesn't really teach you too much when you're trying to learn the characteristic feel of security pins. Just my two cents.

[apaplayer]

Thanks for the help. Will look in to all of them. Gotta get some sleep now.

[apaplayer]

While I continue to work at the Brinks, haven't picked it now in about 1 1/2 weeks, I just tried a Kwikset knob lock and spp it in about 2 minutes. Picked 2 more x's in about 30 secs. Still using a small hook, I raked it open with 2 rakes. I can't quite understand why I can't pick the Brinks. Ive tried less and more tension, tried to look for the picking order, raked it into false set and still haven't found the right way to pick the lock. Sometimes it never goes into false set, sometimes when I can't feel or hear anymore pins set I release tension to see how many pins I've set and only have 2 or 3 set. This after thinking I had at least 4 set. Every once in awhile I hear 5 clicks but the plug would'nt turn. Not giving up but sure am getting angry.

[ridinplugspinnaz]

While I continue to work at the Brinks, haven't picked it now in about 1 1/2 weeks, I just tried a Kwikset knob lock and spp it in about 2 minutes. Picked 2 more x's in about 30 secs. Still using a small hook, I raked it open with 2 rakes. I can't quite understand why I can't pick the Brinks. Ive tried less and more tension, tried to look for the picking order, raked it into false set and still haven't found the right way to pick the lock. Sometimes it never goes into false set, sometimes when I can't feel or hear anymore pins set I release tension to see how many pins I've set and only have 2 or 3 set. This after thinking I had at least 4 set. Every once in awhile I hear 5 clicks but the plug would'nt turn. Not giving up but sure am getting angry.

What technique are you using for clearing the pins after you've entered the false set? I actually prefer to pick spool pins, since they are easy to identify and give really good feedback (usually). Once you've entered a false set, you generally want to feel each pin again to see which ones are spool pins. They will give themselves away by forcing the plug to counter-rotate when you push up on them with your pick. It's been said that it's tension that opens locks, not the picks, and that adage is very applicable to spool pins — you will feel them in the tension wrench, not the pick.

Here's a good video demonstrating security pins from our very own JK_the_CJer, it might help you to see what you're looking for when picking security pins.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cwo03ys9ZNA

[apaplayer]

Watched the video, it is a good one, however I rarely get a false set. This is my 2nd Brinks of this model. When I get a false set I don't have any trouble setting the pin. When I begin to set pins in the binding order I hear and feel clicks, sometimes 2 on a pin, which tells me there are probably serrated pins. After I think I've got 3 or 4 set no more will set. I think that means I have a pin overset. So I drop the pins and start over. I'm still heavy handed but am improving. While using a dremel to cut the 1st Brinks open I saw the pins but ruined the lock. They really make them hard to learn to pick and that's part of the challenge and fun. I would just like to learn to pick it consistently. I think I heard that if you overset a pin no other pins will set. Is this correct?

[GottFoo]

On the brass brinks I have setting the second pin will put it into false set.

[apaplayer]

When mine goes to false set it's usually the 2nd also. The 4th sometimes will and the plug will rotate even more. When go to reset it you get fabulous feedback. I think it's the 4th pin I am over setting. This pin gives me 2 clicks and you kind of feel the spring between them. The 3 pin is the hardest to set. 1 is very easy to set and normally sets with 2. 1 is not a security pin and you cannot set it last. 3 is very hard to set and is very springy. The cuts on the key appear to be 3-2-2-4-5. From what I have read this lock shouldn't be that hard to pick. I probable bent some pins or something. I continually go back and pick my other locks for positive reinforcement and I practice to not be so heavy handed. The plug seems to be a shade wider than it was when I bought it. For $7 ea., I'm on my 2nd one so $14, it's teaching me a lot. If I've ruined this one I must buy another. It's worth it I guess.