Binding pin problem

[Elliot123]

I'm new to picking, and have succeeded with some door dead bolts and padlocks. But I am puzzled by one thing I have encountered and wonder if I am mistaken in how the pins work.

If I put pressure on the wrench, I can still move all the pins on a masterlock(#2 and #3) and feel the springiness. I would expect at least one pin to be "frozen" in place as it binds the cylinder and prevents the cylinder from moving.

When I have succeeded, it is with light presure on the wrench. I can't pick with the hard pressure, but don't understand why all the pins still move with hard pressure. Thanks.

[robotmaxtron]

well some locks (generally the cheaper ones) have a tendency to have on occasion more than 1 pin that binds.

[MacGyver101]

I've had times when I've been puzzled by a similar thought. Normally when that happens I discover that my tension wrench has slipped into a position where it's binding against the outer hull and, instead of rotating the cylinder plug, I was inadvertently pushing it up/down/sideways. If all the pins still feel springy, that may be part of the issue. For a point of comparison, try moving your tension wrench to the top of the keyway to see if that changes things: you need to be careful not to push against the first pin, but you'll reduce the likelihood that you're binding the cylinder against the outer body of the lock.

(This assumes, of course, that you're currently putting your tension wrench at the bottom of the keyway. If not, then check that the wrench isn't scrubbing against the first pin.)

There could be other things at work, but I hope those suggestions help a bit...

[Elliot123]

Thanks. That's what the problem was. My wrench was not putting turning pressure on the cylinder. When I put it at the top of the keyway it worked. Now I put it at the bottom, but check to make sure it is delivering turning pressure.