first post! couple of questions on my first locks!

[Pitman]

Okay so I just built my own picks and got straight to work on pickin a couple padlocks. I have read for several hours on picking and I no the basics (I'm only 17 years old) and I was wanting to know a few things. First off I got a cheap chinese junk padlock and it upens with only setting the 1 and 4 key pins. You don't have to touch 2 and 3. Why is this?? Second off, I've got a master lock number 1 that I can't even get one pin to set. I've tried everythinf I've learned to no avail. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance


Pitman

[nostromo]

Does the bitting of the key for the chinese padlock have high (or no) cuts on 2 & 3 ?

Could you describe in a little more detail what you mean by "the pins don;t set" in the master padlock?

[Eyes_Only]

What are you using for a tension wrench? A Master No. 1 uses a M1 keyway I assume so most people usually place the wrench towards the bottom of the keyway and when placing it like that, depending on what you're using as a wrench the tang could be snagging on the bottom of the keyway effectively jamming the lock every time you place tension on it.

And adding a little bit of lube and running a blank key (or a cut key if that's all you have available) in the lock may help with the feedback.

[Squelchtone]

Okay so I just built my own picks and got straight to work on pickin a couple padlocks. I have read for several hours on picking and I no the basics (I'm only 17 years old) and I was wanting to know a few things. First off I got a cheap chinese junk padlock and it upens with only setting the 1 and 4 key pins. You don't have to touch 2 and 3. Why is this?? Second off, I've got a master lock number 1 that I can't even get one pin to set. I've tried everythinf I've learned to no avail. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance


Pitman

What kind of picks did you build exactly? I hope they're not bobby pin and paper clip, a lot of guys try that as a first time project, and those types of picks can only open the simplest of locks. If you used something like wiper blades or a hacksaw blade, then you should be in good shape as long as the profile of your pick isn't too large. Did you make a hook? a half diamond?

show us your work, we're always interested in home brew stuff.

Squelchtone

[unlisted]

why did you double post this?