american locks

[berrymatt]

please someone help me i need to know if there is any way to pick american locks 10 series 30 series 1105 series and 1107 series. what do i ust to pick it with what picks and what tension bar if i need a certian one. please just someone help me.....

[CaptHook]

hey man its the easiest lock to pick use a regular tension bar with a three prong pick ........... just messing with you.
Use a short hook and regular wrench. Start by finding the first pin that binds and work on feeling the set. Then proceed to the nest one.
This is a perfect example of how the front to back back to front method is useless on a better made lock. You will not get as lucky as on a lock with some slop in the plug.
Chuck

[raimundo]

if you are working on new locks, follow the captains directions, but if the locks are old and have been outside a long time, use some wd40, I realize that now a lot of differing opinions are going to come in, but just try it.

[omelet]

I beleieve at least the latter two Americans you mentioned have serrated top and bottom pins, so feel for the most significant click to know that a pin is set correctly.

[CaptHook]

Raimundo is correct. WD40 will fill in the serrations and allow you to feel the real sets better as opposed to the false sets.
Chuck