Help with picking a Master Combination Padlock

[PLAXORYSM]

Hi guys,

First off, sorry to bother you with a question like this, many of you will probably find this very simple.

I recently purchased a Southord MPXS-14 Pick set. I looked around at home and could only find masterlock combination padlocks.

Here is a picture of one:



I have three of these, and I picked one yesterday with sheer luck. I was using the half-diamond and the lock just sprung open. Unfortunately, I can't even remember how much tension I was applying, or how I was pushing the pins.

Here is a youtube video of someone picking one, if it helps:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saaXqaRarn4

I've been raking the pins, pushing them, varying pressure, for about 5-6 hours now, and none of them are opening. On the lock I opened yesterday, the very first pin is "stuck" in the set position. I have a feeling it might be broken or whatnot, so I'm trying mostly on the other 2.

If anyone has any advice, I would greatly appreciate it. I read the MIT guide to picking, and have seen a few videos.

Also: The lock has the anti-shim mechanism (It can be bypassed, but I'm no good at it) and it also has 4 pins. I believe they set from back to front.

Thanks!
PLAXORYSM

[zeepia]

First, I didn´t find this simple at all! I was a bit confused about using picks in combination lock but your video cleared that, I didn´t know those locks have a key too.

You give those pins quite a punishment with your rake in that video, it might be so that lock can´t take it forever without getting jammed etc.

Practice usually helps most after you´ve done your reading and know what you should be doing with your picks. Get one lock which you can get pins out, start with two pin stacks and work your way up until it´s fully pinned. And leave that rake at the table if you want to learn to pick well. It can be used of course but don´t rely on it. Security pins are tougher to rake.

Good luck!

[lockjock50]

Those type of combo locks use a masterkey and are used for example on school lockers and places like that.

[PLAXORYSM]

Thank you for the info zeepia. What would a good pick be to regularly use on locks? A half diamond or the small hook type rake?

[zeepia]

Depends on your preferences. Some like hook and others like half diamonds. The lock determines what your tool can be, if the bitting is too deep for your tools, you can´t pick it. And if your picks don´t fit the keyway, there´s no way you can pick that lock.

In overall you can pick more locks with slim style picks than normal (US style bigger ones).

[PLAXORYSM]

I see, thank you.

[Pickmequick]

That is a proper ruff way to pick that lock.

Suggest you use a much smaller tension wrench as that one pretty much fills the keyway.

A half diamond will work if the bitting isn't to indifferent otherwise a slim short hook would do it.

I suspect it will have at least 1 security pin so it could be this giving you the grief.

If you've got 3 and they are on the same masterkey, strip one down and have a look then you will get a better idea.

[vinnie]

I made a thread with a bunch of pictures showing the inside of one of these and how they key/combination lock mechanism works, but the thread got deleted for some reason. I'm imagining because it's supposed to be in the advanced section? anyways, if it's OK I can post some pictures of the guts to show everyone how the locking mechanism works for this.

[vinnie]

That is a proper ruff way to pick that lock.

Suggest you use a much smaller tension wrench as that one pretty much fills the keyway.

A half diamond will work if the bitting isn't to indifferent otherwise a slim short hook would do it.

I suspect it will have at least 1 security pin so it could be this giving you the grief.

If you've got 3 and they are on the same masterkey, strip one down and have a look then you will get a better idea.

there are no security pins. I know posting this is at least fine, so here are the pins in one of these locks:

[Breaker]

The only way I managed to find the combination of a 1500 Master lock was to shim the lock and open it, then carefully look down into the lock past the latch. I could just see the position of the deep slots, take note of their dial position by rotating the dial until they came into view. Work from front (dial)cam to middle then back cam. There is not much room to see, but with patience it can be done. Then this position has to be corrected for the offset of the pawl position relative to the index. Seemed to be offset about 6 marks. Then re-lock the shackle and experiment with combinations within what was found +-1 or 2. It took only about 3 attempts from this point. The last number in the combination turned out to be one of the sticking points exactly between 2 numbers! Perth AU

[daniel22747]

The lock on those guys is small so use a small tension wrench. Southern Specialties tensions wrenches are small. Southord also sells a special tension wrench that narrows at its tip. The reason you are having trouble is probably that you are overseting the pins. This is very easy to do on small locks like that.

To avoid over setting pins on small locks like that I recomend the small half diamond. I usualy prefer short hooks but in tiny locks like that they tend to over set pins as you try to move deeper into the lock.The small half diamond allows pins to kind of slid over and back down it's slops with less risk of over setting.

In addition don't press up too far on the pins. Also try letting up on the tension just a hair to let the bottom pins (key pins) fall back down if they are over set.

If you can afford it you may want to get some mini wallet picks. These work really well on tiny locks.