Euro Cylinders?

[MeisBarry]

I live in the US. I have been picking for roughly a month, reading this site for a while longer, and my three locks are getting boring. I was looking on ebay and noticed some euro cylinders for pretty cheap. I read that faq about them and figure they'd be good practice locks assuming I could get good at repinning once in a while.

My question is this; Would American pins, like say some spools from a locksmith, fit in a euro? I know how our stupid American measurements are different from everyone else, and if the pin diameter was measured as such they probably wouldn't fit properly. Anyone know for sure?

Also, I'm heading off to a locksmith tomorrow to see if I can get me some more practice locks. Any advice?

[mh]

There are so many on the market, they have different pin diameters.

Often they have 2 sides, so you have a second set of pins that you could try modifying yourself, if all else fails.

Be aware though, that most Euro cylinders are not easy to re-pin. There's a thread somewhere that explains the procedure nicely.

[illusion]

Hmm... I have a Winkhaus lock that has solid rings, which cannot be removed without physicaly cutting them off... not quite so simple as rim cylinders.

Meh, the thread is easily findable, but since I have the link to hand I'll throw it in: http://www.lockpicking101.com/viewtopic.php?t=5199

[MeisBarry]

Yes I read that. That's why I'm asking. I'm asking if I could repin a euro lock using US pins.

[Shrub]

You will have to measure the two types to be sure but it is normal for locks to accept their own pins, a pin from a nother lock may be too long or short and and not allow the lock to work properly.

If repinning to hobby pick then go for it, it the pins fit your ok.

If your doing it for a customer then no, get the proper pins and dont mess around with bits from other locks.

[maxxed]

You should be able to rearrange the exsisting pins in the euro locks to come up with new patterns to pick.