Newbie here, "MiniGard" disc lock question

[sonick]

Hello all,

Newbie here in Phoenix, AZ, US I just registered for the site as I am VERY much enjoying my new-found hobby of lock-picking and amateur locksmithing in general. I'm actually finding it interesting enough to consider ditching IT for a complete career change..... but that's for another thread on another day in the far future.

What I do want to run by you all, is this lock that is giving me a fair bit of grief in my attempts to pick it. I have been picking for all of 2 neophytic weeks, but I've had some great success, especially with my favorite, the C rake I love the hybrid action of the short hook for individual pin-seeking, as well as the ability to rake effectively in one tool.

Anyhow, I have this disc lock left over from a storage facility that I once used out here in Phoenix; when I first moved here from Chicago 3 years ago. I got all moved in now and don't need the storage unit, but they basically made me purchase the lock for $30.

This lock is confounding me in my efforts to pick it. The tension is indiscernable, the action and pins are brash and abrupt, and my efforts to finesse it open are not working. A snap gun worked once out of about 2000 tries, but I've not had any success since. A large problem is a major protrusion from the side of the keyway to prevent direct, perpendicular pin access. Still, they can be depressed, but I'm having no luck.

The lock is marked "MiniGard" and "SRX70". I'm linking to a picture.

Has anyone picked one of these ? Any advice as to what I may need to look for aside from general persistence and practice (which i'm full well OK with, just wanted to ask)

Thanks and glad to be among you all
Jayson

[BraveHeart.]

ive tried picking 2 of these locks and i only got one.
the pick i used was a "L" rake

you should try that if you havent already.

[freakparade3]

With these types of locks tension is the key. They are no harder to pick than any other 4 pin lock but they require far more tension to turn the shackle to the unlocked position.

[raimundo]

the keyways are smaller, so it's time for you to start to make picks, but make them smaller than normal as your lock mechanism is smaller, be sure to sand the picks really smooth so you dont have a tool that comes out full of brass powder.

[MacGnG1]

this lock is probably the same as the brinks r70. i have one and it is a bit hard to pick for beginners. and yes u need a LOT of tension. see how much tension u need with the key itself and u will realize. have fun it isnt too hard. i think it also has security pins so watch out for those too

[sonick]

Thank you all for your help. I will use your suggestions and a healthy dose of persistence to see if I can get this thing open. Ironically, I popped it open with a city rake right after making this post, but haven't been able to do so again, or with any solid understanding of the lock yet. I have other 4-pin padlocks that i can make quick work of, but this thing....... this thing is evil. Plus it was exposed to AZ monsoons which has filled every orifice with dust and crud.

Will report back with any success. Again, very cool place here.

Regards,
J

[sonick]

ive tried picking 2 of these locks and i only got one.
the pick i used was a "L" rake

you should try that if you havent already.

Ah. That was the rake I lucked out with last night. I improperly called it a city rake; can't remember where I heard the term but the derivative makes sense. The L rake makes me homesick for Chicago actually.

I'm not "on" right now, so i'll probably try again later.

[sonick]

Just tried again out of spite, expecting to fail, and I managed to pick it twice in the last few minutes with the 'L' rake.

There's a condition that made all the difference:

When the lock is closed with the key, the circular hasp is still resting on an internal mechanism, creating a condition where it's nearly impossible to pick (for a newb anyway).

The hasp has about 3/8" of play. I slid the hasp fully closed as far as it could go, and this made a perceivable amount of tension appear on the wrench. Subsequently, I was able to pick the lock twice in a short time.

Another interesting feature.... the tumbler has a slot, accessible from a hole in the rear of the case, that provides a perfect place to use the tension wrench. Almost as if it were made to place a tool there.

As a newb, the strangest lock I have encountered so far.

Thanks again,
Jayson

[BraveHeart.]

ahhaha yes, that is why i love the "L" rake.

and im a newb with you.

we should start a group. lol

[sonick]

ahhaha yes, that is why i love the "L" rake.

and im a newb with you.

we should start a group. lol

lol, definitely. The L rake is almost criminally easy in some locks. I definitely like the cerebral picking, using a hook and one pin at a time, but when I feel disrespected by the lock, out comes the L rake

My fave is still the C rake though... the hybrid raking/picking makes for a great discovery tool for feeling out a new lock. For me anyway...

I just popped the MiniGard disc lock open a couple more times. It's actually not that the hasp needs to be pushed all the way closed-flush, there is a 'sweet spot' where the tumbler will have some play, and that's where it can be picked. If the hasp is in any other position where the tumbler has no easy play, I can't pick the lock..