A pin and tumbler question?

[SealedWithAKiss]

On my front door I have a pin and tumbler lock, the lock has 5 pins and is relatively easy to pick with a half diamond.

Unfortunately I don't know the manufacturer of the lock because there isn't any branding on it, however it looks very similar to the Yale locks that you see on many front doors.

The lock turns clockwise when picked, and requires about a 200 degree turn to open the lock using the key. My problem is that whenever I pick the lock I am able to turn the plug about 180 degrees and then the plug just stops turning.

Since I'm an amateur I figured that perhaps the pins set on both the upper and lower side of the hull, however when I attempt to pick the pins a second time they're completely rigid and wont budge. I don't know why the lock wont open. When using the key the lock turns that extra 20-30 degrees needed to open the lock, however when picked the plug reaches 180 and just jams.

Is this likely to be a security feature of the lock? How would I go about getting the full rotation needed to crack this baby open?

Answers appreciated!

[Josh K]

This is why you don't pick locks that are in use.

What's happened is the drivers have entered the bottom of the keyway. Insert a thin strip of metal or the flat side of a pick and push them back up into the bible while tensioning the keyway a little bit and it should continue rotating.

[darklighterz7611]

You shouldnt pick locks in use.

if you mess up your front door locked its gonna cost you money to sort out and also compromise your security and ability to operate the lock untill it is fixed or replaced.

Also unless you are the owner of your property the lock does not belong to you.

However for your knowledge and to stop you damaging your lock. it is probably just the pins dropping from the shear line into the bottom of the keyway as its turned (an inserted key prevents this from occurring during normal use).

Just lift all of the pins up as high as they go simultaneously and turn the lock the rest of the way. You don't want to apply tension until the pins are lifted (just keep the bottom of the keyway lined up vertically.)

[darklighterz7611]

You snuck in there on me josh.

But again you don't want to keep tension on the lock while lifting the pins you just want it held vertically aligned (though the stuck pins will mostly do this for you) and you want to make sure your tension tool is ready to turn the lock after the driver pins are pushed back (some door locks can spring shut after the pins have been pushed back into the bible due to the spring from the operating handle).

Tension will start the driver pins binding and is not needed.

[Josh K]

You snuck in there on me josh.

But again you don't want to keep tension on the lock while lifting the pins you just want it held vertically aligned (though the stuck pins will mostly do this for you) and you want to make sure your tension tool is ready to turn the lock after the driver pins are pushed back (some door locks can spring shut after the pins have been pushed back into the bible due to the spring from the operating handle).

Tension will start the driver pins binding and is not needed.

I've done it both ways, and actually I normally take the backside of a half diamond and push up then twist it. No tension tool required.

[darklighterz7611]

I normally take the backside of a half diamond and push up then twist it. No tension tool required.

I used to just use the back of a hook pick like this....However one day i forgot that the lock I was picking had a spring operated handle attached directly to the cylinder and the spring combined with me trying to pull out the pick fast broke my fave hook so be carefull.

[SealedWithAKiss]

Thank you for the replies guys! The whole not picking locks that are in use thing hadn't crossed my mind as I didn't realised how easily the lock could be damaged, particularly since I'm only just starting to learn the ropes.

An excellent point about the legality of picking what I assumed to be my own lock was also pointed out as well, we live in a council home and that technically means that the door and the lock are the property of the local council. I'll be sure to leave that particular lock alone now, much to the satisfaction of my cold (annoyed) parents.

The reason I attempted the lock on my front door was because I didn't have anything to practice on, except for two Tri Circle padlocks. I have a small 263 which I cannot pick, despite reading numerous tutorials and watching videos that other members of this forum have posted on YouTube. The other Tri Circle that I was having trouble with was the 371 (I think) model. A large grey coloured padlock with no model number engraved.

I understand that these locks have security pins inside them though, and aren't suitable for amateurs seeking to learn the basics of SPP'ing.

I would ideally like to purchase a padlock that is easy to dismantle, so that the pins can be removed and then added one at a time as my skill and technique improve. Either that or a cut away lock so that I could see first hand what was going on inside the lock whilst I was picking.

Thank you for your answers anyway, and for being aware enough to keep me on the RIGHT side of the law!

[darklighterz7611]

No worries, and you do want to avoid security pins when your starting out, it'll only make things harder.

Why not just buy a cylinder lock to practice on? These are much easier to re-pin and are cheap (There are a few guides on lp101 that walk you through dismantling and repinning).... Here they are Single Cylinder lock or for a Double Cylinder (EURO)

There's also this guide which i think should work on your 263 Making a tri circle padlock repinnable

[SealedWithAKiss]

Yeah I would do well to avoid the security pins, I'm going to look into purchasing a cylinder lock, they look fantastic for beginners.

I have already taken a look at the guide on re-pinning a Tri Circle padlock, however I don't own the tools needed to perform the re-pin. I'm going to leave those Tri Circles to the side until I have enough skill and experience to attempt to SPP locks containing security pins.

Thanks for your answers anyway, they're appreciated.