Chinese Warded Master Padlock Knockoff

[brianb0806]

Hi all. Recently moved into new house. There's an old shed in the back secured with what looks like a small Master padlock, but only says "Made in China" on the bottom. It would be easy enough to remove, but I decided to pick it. That's when I learned it wasn't a pin tumbler lock. I came here to the board and started researching warded locks and feel I have a pretty good understanding of how they work.

Here's my question. I want to make a skeleton key for the lock. Everything I have read about the Master warder padlocks, they have 2 locking bars, therefore they require a double t skeleton key. Does anyone know if the Chinese imitations also use a double locking mechanism, or just a single?

I look forward to the replies and will keep working on it in the meantime. Thanks in advance to everyone who replies.

[MacGnG1]

you can probably just copy the design of the warded picks they sell online: http://www.lockpickshop.com/WP-10.html

[brianb0806]

Eventually I plan to make a complete set, but right now I just want to make 1 that will fit the lock. I think i'll start with the double t and if doesn't work I'll make a single t. I expect it's either one or the other.

[brianb0806]

UPDATE

I bought the closest thing I could find, a warded Master lock of the same size and began to experiment with the keys. The first key I filed down, leaving just the 2 end T sections. The one closest to the tip about twice as thick as the next. The lock still opened with no problem. The second key I filed to a single T, a little thinner than the original.

I pulled hard on the shackle and released the first bar. I felt the shackle move out slightly. I then puled the key back a bit to the next ward and felt another bar. For this one I had to play around a bit, but eventually the lock snapped open, no problem.

Next I set out to test the Chines knock off. Same results, but easier to open. I'm assuming that's because of greater tolerances.

Bottom line, question answered. The only difference I could tell is that the Master had a Z shaped keyway and the Chinese lock had almost a straight keyway, with just a little bend in the middle. I filed some of the thickness off the keys to assure that they would fit.

Love this board. Hopefully someone finds this useful.