Old American 2000 Gutted

[l0ckcr4ck3r]

This lock was way easier to pick than what i had read about it so i thought id gut it today... These older ones have NO security pins in them!!!

Loosen set screw on the back...


Remove core...


Push out Roll Pin..

Remove 2 Brass pins from the back of the core..

disassemble as normal!!

[snake_wrangler]

Very nice. I've never seen top pins like that in an American. What was the picking like?

[l0ckcr4ck3r]

Honestly, stupid easy!! Each end of the drivers has this kinda reduced area and a tiny chamfer to just help align everything with the shear line making it even easier. The pins did bind quite hard so light tension was needed but it was just a case of working from back to front about 4 times and it opened. Id be interested to hear if anyone else has taken one of these apart. It was secondhand when i got it so it may have been messed around with.

[fgarci03]

I believe those are called barrel pins. They are to prevent bumping, as the pin doesn't fall completely into the plug.

Not sure about this though, so any corrections are welcomed!

Thank you for sharing, that is a nice padlock!

[l0ckcr4ck3r]

thanks for the info fgarcia, guess that makes sense about the barrel pins.. anything that decouples the key pins from the springs is gunna help stop bumping. Im just surprised that American Lock was thinking about this that long ago.

I'm thinking of getting a new core for it, just to make it a challenge... ATP2001 from here....

http://www.mrlock.com/12050.html

does anyone know if its a straight swap? do i get both parts of the core, the original one is a solid piece of brass, but the new ones look like they have a flat bible and then collar that fits over it

[daniel22747]

Im just surprised that American Lock was thinking about this that long ago.

I can't help but suspect this lock may have been altered before you got it.

[phrygianradar]

thanks for the info fgarcia, guess that makes sense about the barrel pins.. anything that decouples the key pins from the springs is gunna help stop bumping. Im just surprised that American Lock was thinking about this that long ago.

I'm thinking of getting a new core for it, just to make it a challenge... ATP2001 from here....

http://www.mrlock.com/12050.html

does anyone know if its a straight swap? do i get both parts of the core, the original one is a solid piece of brass, but the new ones look like they have a flat bible and then collar that fits over it

It is a different design, but it should work the same. I have one of these and between the two, I kind of like the solid one that you have rather than the two piece. Personal preference. Have you considered just getting it re-pinned with some spools etc., from a locksmith? I don't know why you would want to swap out the core if it is still working. It seems like what you dislike is the ease with which you can pick it? Just ask a good locksmith to re-pin it with a high low scheme and throw in some security pins. Just a thought. Cool lock though even if it is easy to pick. Mine is too, and it is the two piece deal like the one on mrlock.com. It is an "American lock clone"; pretty cheesy in that it looks tough, but it is real easy to pick. It does have the American lock keyway though. I have thought about getting it re-pinned but I don't really use it for anything and besides, I would just take another American lock (same keyway, of course) and switch the pins out myself. I have a bunch of aluminum Americans that were real cheap that we used for lock out tag out at my work. Don't use them anymore and they all have the good old cores with spools and serrations.

[l0ckcr4ck3r]

@daniel I think you may be right, the more i look at it, the more i think its been rekeyed.... one of the springs is different, but why remove the security drivers!!

@phrygianradar Youre right!! I just love the locks for picking yeah its a nice paperweight too but for $16 i want something that puts up a fight for more than 90 seconds The local lockie quoted me more money to repin it than to buy a new core. I am haggling for a 2010 model at the moment which may work out the cheapest deal of them all. If not i like the idea of gutting a old cheap 1100 series for the pins. Wish i could find a supplier of the serrated key pins and some sporated drivers.

[GWiens2001]

@daniel I think you may be right, the more i look at it, the more i think its been rekeyed.... one of the springs is different, but why remove the security drivers!!

@phrygianradar Youre right!! I just love the locks for picking yeah its a nice paperweight too but for $16 i want something that puts up a fight for more than 90 seconds The local lockie quoted me more money to repin it than to buy a new core. I am haggling for a 2010 model at the moment which may work out the cheapest deal of them all. If not i like the idea of gutting a old cheap 1100 series for the pins. Wish i could find a supplier of the serrated key pins and some sporated drivers.

Have you tried mrlock.com?

Gordon

[phrygianradar]

@phrygianradar Youre right!! I just love the locks for picking yeah its a nice paperweight too but for $16 i want something that puts up a fight for more than 90 seconds The local lockie quoted me more money to repin it than to buy a new core. I am haggling for a 2010 model at the moment which may work out the cheapest deal of them all. If not i like the idea of gutting a old cheap 1100 series for the pins. Wish i could find a supplier of the serrated key pins and some sporated drivers.

I just bought two American cores (for a different project) that had all nice serrated bottom pins and spoorated drivers for five bucks each! It was a nice score and worked really well for what I was doing. I know the locksmith pretty well though, so he and I both know that he gave me an awesome deal. But what you mentioned about gutting another core would be a good way to go, I think.

[l0ckcr4ck3r]

Gordon... Yeah the $13 for a new core was Mrlock... then shipping on top. In the end i picked up a 2010 for $12, i just hope its pinned right this time

[l0ckcr4ck3r]

Finally found a local lockie that is helpful and encouraging... i think i talked my way outta a job there today but only realised it afterwards
Anyway, he sorted me out with the right drivers and key pins... he was out of 1 size of serrated key pins so the hand drill and needle file fixed that. 12 pins, a good chat and a remote possibility of a job was a steal for 3 bucks