American Spool pin beating me,

[cheerIO]

Lock: American 1305, old good core; 6 pin core with 5 pins loaded.
all key pins serrated, 4 serrated top pins, 1 spool top pin.

I know the answer to this may be just to practice more. But if anyone has any advice to get over this hump, it would be greatly appreciated.

So this last week I have slowly been loading the core one pin at a time to get the feel of these serrated pins. I started with just one pin and moved up each day. I now know the feel of the real shear line. The actual real click is very clear to me know. I can feel the difference in the sound and in the tension wrench when the pins drop into the correct position. I can load the 4 serrated pins and open the lock in about 20 seconds.

But as soon as I put that spool pin in, I hit a brick wall. It feels like I can drop all the serrated pins like before but I then I get nothing. I can't get a false set, and have no feedback on the spool ever.

I work back to front setting everything and then start at the back again. But I can't figure out why I'm not unlocking this. I have experience with spool pins. I can open my Master 911, Master 570, Defiants, and my Master 140 without any issues. But this single American spool pin is giving me a heck of time.

Any suggestions?

[KPick]

My advise is to take your time Cheerio. I use to have this sort of problem, but as you will realize with practice, serrated pins are no joke. Once you have practiced enough, these will become easy to you.

Once you hit the false set, pay very close attention to the feedback. Dont jump the gun and jam the key pin up. As soon as you feel the rotation, take about ten to fifteen seconds to beat it. You will realize that it acts alot like a normal spool. Push up very slowly until you feel the false set either disapear, hence opening the lock, or you hit another false set, which is an indication of the presence of another spool pin.

[mseifert]

Sounds like you may still be hung up a serrated pin.. when you set the spool you may be knocking one of the spools out of set ...

[KPick]

Sounds like you may still be hung up a serrated pin.. when you set the spool you may be knocking one of the spools out of set ...

This can be true too. LoL just keep setting them until the locks open. Serrated pins are notorious for their difficulty Cheerio.