counter rotation but pin wont set

[jimmy21]

I am trying to pick a master lock lock out tagout red plastic lock. It has 4 pins. The first pin binds first and i set it. Then the 3rd pin binds. When i push on it, it gives a ton of counter rotation, but it never feels like it sets and it never rotates forward at all. I set it to where i think feels closest to being set, but nothing gives feedback after that. Whats going on?

[kwoswalt99-]

Hello and welcome!
Is the lock being used somewhere? If I recall correctly, they have 6 pins, with a mix of serrated and spools. Maybe this explains something?

[jimmy21]

I'm an electrician, so I see a lot of these. This one is smaller than most. I had one that had 6 pins in it. I'm positive this one only has 4. It definitely has spools, but u don't think it has any serrated

[Squelchtone]

I'm an electrician, so I see a lot of these. This one is smaller than most. I had one that had 6 pins in it. I'm positive this one only has 4. It definitely has spools, but u don't think it has any serrated

Hi, is the lock on a piece of equipment locking it out right now and you need to get it open for work or are you practicing on your coffee table at home as a hobby? The sort of advice we will give will vary depending on if you want to learn lock picking or just to need to get a lock out of the way and get back to work.

As mentioned by kwoswalt99, those locks can have security pins inside them which are made to thwart lock picking attempts. What kind of lock pick set are you using and which picks in that set? I'd use a short hook for that kind of lock and light to medium tension on my wrench. Tyr to wobble the tension wrench from light to medium as if you are keying Morse code. dot dot dot dot dot. that sort of thing.

good luck,
Squelchtone

[jimmy21]

At home on the coffee table.

I'm using a sparrows medium hook and medium twisted tension wrench and caring between medium tension and light tension. I've gotten it open twice after hours of messing with it. Coincidentally, both times were within seconds of "starting over."

[jimmy21]

Tyr to wobble the tension wrench from light to medium as if you are keying Morse code. dot dot dot dot dot. that sort of thing.

This did the trick. I was getting to the sheer line, but the pins wouldn't set without heavy pressure


Now all the pins fell out internally and is broke. On to the next one

[MBI]

Now all the pins fell out internally and is broke. On to the next one

Yeah, many lockout padlocks aren't terribly robust.
They're designed as a big reminder not to throw a switch (or whatever) that might kill someone, not for security purposes.

[jimmy21]

I think it has to do with them being key retaining. They aren't meant to be turned without a key