Need help with a masterlock No. 40

[tuffguy45]

I got my first set of picks today (and this is also my first topic) I've been working on various locks I have around the house and have been able to get myself pretty consistent at picking one lock in less than a minute I don't know anything about it other than the brand name is national and I probably wouldn't ever want to buy one knowing that a lock picking neophyte can open one in less than a minute.

Anyway this might be a bit ambitions but, there is a masterlock no. 40 40 that my parents used to lock up their motorcycle. I am able to insert my tension wrench and half diamond pick however, as I slowing pull the pick forward feeling for the pins it appears as though before I can find any the pick gets stuck after further visual inspection there appears to be an angle cut into the bottom of the lock (20 degrees maybe less) but, because of this I can't reach ANY of the pins. I'll take a picture but I don't know how incredibly helpful it'll be (or my description for that matter). I hope this lock isn't unpickable because I like the challenge it's giving me.

[tuffguy45]

I apologize, usually my grammar/spelling/stupid mistakes aren't usually that plentiful in one post.

Quick points of clarification because of my poorly typed message

It's a Masterlock No. 40

When I say I'm bringing the pick forward I mean I am placing the pick all the way to the back of the lock and then bringing it towards me (away from the back) to feel for the pins.

The problem seems to be that when I apply pressure on the tension wrench the plug turns in such a way that the angled part at the bottom makes it impossible to place a pick above it. There has to be a way around this if it's still unclear I can try to take a picture with my tension wrench inside of it with pressure applied.

[LocksmithArmy]

i have never had the pleasure of picking this lock... but

my suggestion would be:

if your putting the pick all the way in the back and pulling it twords you(normal practice) and getting caught on somthing between the back and the last pin... it seems to me youd wanna not put ur pick all the way back...

try putting it just past that obsitcle or start from the front...

as i said i havnt picked this lock but thats what id try next

[rrkss]

if you are having trouble reaching the pins, try a different strategy like top of keyway tension. This will give you much more room underneath those pins to manuever the pick. That lock is definately pickable and I've done it many times for fun.

For top of keyway tension, I took one of my standard L shaped wrenches and bent the top part into a small angle that fit into the top of my master keyways, The small bend makes it harder to fall out of the lock than the large bend on most tension wrenches.

[tuffguy45]

I'd be wary of bending the end of my tension wrench since it's the only one I have but, I'll certainly try what you suggested otherwise and let you know what happens.

[tuffguy45]

I was able to pick it after working on it for about a week. It wasn't precise at all half of it was from raking with the snake and just fumbling with the picks with the half diamond. I'd say it probably took me a good week of 15-30 minute a day work to be able to pick it. Hopefully I can get the time down. I was able to pick it by placing the wrench inside the small valley at the bottom of the lock and applying pressure there. Thanks for the help!

[MacGnG1]

first of all we dont suggesting picking locks that are in use (you said your parents use it to lock up their motorcycle).

okay with that said the problem with this type of lock is that it requires very odd tension, much more than you really think you'll really need. do a search for discus locks and R70, which is the Brinks version of this lock. go buy one at the store so you don't break your parents' lock and practice with that.

read the rules and have fun

[.Ben]

im picking one right now, and i dont feel the angle aprt that your talkin about, maybe mine is slightly different.