Picking brand new or used lock (cylinder)?

[zikmik]

Hi,
I have feeling that it is easier to pick used cylinder than brand new. Pins are much tighter or new than on used cylinder.
True or False?

[ilmr]

An used cylinder can have all sorts of crap in it, thus making the picking harder. But the wear can make picking easier.

So I'll skip giving you a boolean answer.

[raimundo]

new locks are easier because they are properly lubed and the pins respond exactly as they should, some old locks have dirt and gummed up lube that will make things sticky. Not to say that some old locks are not very easy, but sometimes the slop and wear actually work against you. I have a neighbor who has a snaplatch that occasionally locks his keys in, he comes to get me. picking that thing is not a give up, but I have a key that fits the keyway, but not the pinning, I just put that key in and buzz it in and out til it opens, its the quickest way.

[Eyes_Only]

I would say that it can go either way. But if the lock is really old and dirty it can be much harder than a brand new lock.

[freakparade3]

New locks are far easier in my experience. For old locks that are gummed up I shoot them with brake cleaner until it flows mostly clear from the keyway.

[Eyes_Only]

Ditto. If a lock is really messed up I'll blast it with brake/electrical contact cleaner several times and work a key blank into the lock and alternate. Then I'll give it a good final blast with a can of compressed air and then some non-graphite dry film lube.

A whole lot of steps I know but this works well for me.