American Lock Series 1105

[lock2006]

i just got a couples of 1105 american padlock took me awhile first time
to pick open this lock i was getting false set at first. then i just let go the
tension just a bit i did not even know i picked. sometimes
you actually have it picked before you realize it. the 700 series i have
sometimes using different tension wrenchs do the tricks instead of the
regular tension wrench i will use the short tension wrenchs.american lock
are really good lock to practice with, sometimes you give up picking this locks, but sometimes
feels really good when you open this american locks, i found out that using
your tension wrench in the opposite position and raking it would do the work.

[awol70]

I made a wrench specifaclly for the 2000. I used a wiper insert. I place it in the upper part of the keyway. Where the pins are. I fine tuned it, nipping away from the blade so it would go as far in as possible, but not touch the first pin. When I got that part right, I measured the end of the lock body and gave it a twist there. Making the twist far enough away so it wouldn't touch the body of the lock. I like twisted wrenches.

I don't know, but I have a ton of wrenches. Whenever i have a hard time picking with what I have. I make a wrench specifically for the keyway I'm picking. It usually helps. Slipping wrenches are the worst.

same here...i have a dedicated design,that uses micro-serrations on the part of the tension tool that contacts the brass plug..
the stainless steel tension tool ,being of harder material actiually "bites" into the plug on a microscopic level...
here is the tool in action,cracking the american 2000 series puck.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJodOAtUb3Q

[awol70]

I have been able to false set the 1105 several times, but due to the last pin being high and the 2 pins directly prior to it being low, I'm not able to set the very back pin without pushing up the pins before it. As I stated, these are serrated key pins and they hang badly in that they will not fall back down out of the way of the shear line without releasing torque on the plug. When I release torque (very slowly and carefully by the way) not only do the upset key pins fall back down, but so do the last two driver pins, which are the two spools. I've tried picking it with hooks of various sizes and shapes, half diamonds, and picks modeled after Falle Safe's and have not yet found the magic pick to use to set that last pin without getting into the key pins in front of it. I'm pretty sure the tolerances are tight enough on the drilling that this lock is gonna be a real chore to open. I WILL open it!! It may give me trouble, but I won't be beaten by it!

look here...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mxfkJgHY3U
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdN1Px6veSQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuHEnw7cOr4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mDyLeqYWls
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktyzQcrsFlQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6uFKpj-vps
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4m1XigLexd8
just for a few examples =)

[Wooly Mammoth]

I just got one of these yesterday. After a few hours, I was able to get it open several times. I took it apart and, aside from the bits of metal from the machine shop it used to be in, there were 4 spools and one serrated pin. It certainly is difficult. Does anyone know if the 5200 is easier or more difficult than the 1105?

[mr_chris79]

does anyone have any experience of the 1305 series locks? ive had one for ages and cant successfully repeat the opening, i think i just got lucky before i knew what was in it, now ive seen inside and looked at the pins ive never opened it since....

[awol70]

I just got one of these yesterday. After a few hours, I was able to get it open several times. I took it apart and, aside from the bits of metal from the machine shop it used to be in, there were 4 spools and one serrated pin. It certainly is difficult. Does anyone know if the 5200 is easier or more difficult than the 1105?

in my experience,the 5200 either carries all serrated,or 4 serrated,one hybrid spool.(the latter being more common)

[awol70]

does anyone have any experience of the 1305 series locks? ive had one for ages and cant successfully repeat the opening, i think i just got lucky before i knew what was in it, now ive seen inside and looked at the pins ive never opened it since....

1305's generally carry serrated & serrated hybrid spools,with their serrated key pin counterparts,(excluding short pins.._)
try top of keyway tension,and use VERY light tension (barely more than the weight of the tension tool)...you want to feel each serration,and differentiate between a serration,(which gives a tiny false set)
and the shearline.
the serrations mimic the shearline well,but over time, with practice,they don't stand a chance.
hope that helps a bit,also see the links in my previous post

[mr_chris79]

does anyone have any experience of the 1305 series locks? ive had one for ages and cant successfully repeat the opening, i think i just got lucky before i knew what was in it, now ive seen inside and looked at the pins ive never opened it since....

1305's generally carry serrated & serrated hybrid spools,with their serrated key pin counterparts,(excluding short pins.._)
try top of keyway tension,and use VERY light tension (barely more than the weight of the tension tool)...you want to feel each serration,and differentiate between a serration,(which gives a tiny false set)
and the shearline.
the serrations mimic the shearline well,but over time, with practice,they don't stand a chance.
hope that helps a bit,also see the links in my previous post

Thank you very much Zeke!

[Wooly Mammoth]

I just got one of these yesterday. After a few hours, I was able to get it open several times. I took it apart and, aside from the bits of metal from the machine shop it used to be in, there were 4 spools and one serrated pin. It certainly is difficult. Does anyone know if the 5200 is easier or more difficult than the 1105?

in my experience,the 5200 either carries all serrated,or 4 serrated,one hybrid spool.(the latter being more common)

In other words, the 5200 is much easier. Thanks, that saves me $20.

[ToolyMcgee]

in my experience,the 5200 either carries all serrated,or 4 serrated,one hybrid spool.(the latter being more common)

In other words, the 5200 is much easier. Thanks, that saves me $20.[/quote]

Serrated pins are usually considered more difficult, since unlike spools you can't heavy hand them into a false set, then back out with less tension and more upward lifting force to cause plug counter rotation. If you false set them good, alot of times that's as far as you go without back tracking, or just start all over. That's especially true if there is a spool not set. The deep false of the spool does a good job trapping the serrations.

-Tooly

[Wooly Mammoth]

Serrated pins are usually considered more difficult, since unlike spools you can't heavy hand them into a false set, then back out with less tension and more upward lifting force to cause plug counter rotation. If you false set them good, alot of times that's as far as you go without back tracking, or just start all over. That's especially true if there is a spool not set. The deep false of the spool does a good job trapping the serrations.

-Tooly

I never have much trouble with serrated pins. Spools give me a bit of trouble, however. I suppose there is no harm in getting a 5200, if I can find one cheap somewhere. I just don't want to waste money.

[awol70]

does anyone have any experience of the 1305 series locks? ive had one for ages and cant successfully repeat the opening, i think i just got lucky before i knew what was in it, now ive seen inside and looked at the pins ive never opened it since....

1305's generally carry serrated & serrated hybrid spools,with their serrated key pin counterparts,(excluding short pins.._)
try top of keyway tension,and use VERY light tension (barely more than the weight of the tension tool)...you want to feel each serration,and differentiate between a serration,(which gives a tiny false set)
and the shearline.
the serrations mimic the shearline well,but over time, with practice,they don't stand a chance.
hope that helps a bit,also see the links in my previous post

Thank you very much Zeke!

if you are thanking me, i think you may have me confused with someone else.
i am not Zeke...=)
if you are not thanking me, well.....you get the idea =/

[mr_chris79]

Doh!!!!! Sorry Awol70 and yes it was you i was thanking lol, thanks again!

[awol70]

Doh!!!!! Sorry Awol70 and yes it was you i was thanking lol, thanks again!

ahhh,ok..=) you are very welcome...