Expensive v Cheap locks

[vandelay]

Hi all

I was just wondering, in terms of picking difficulty, how does a cheap dollar store lock with no security pins compare to say a master lock with the same number of pins and no security pins? they should be just the same to pick right? Or are there more machining imperfections in cheaper locks that make it easier to pick?

Thanks

[Squelchtone]

Hi all

I was just wondering, in terms of picking difficulty, how does a cheap dollar store lock with no security pins compare to say a master lock with the same number of pins and no security pins? they should be just the same to pick right? Or are there more machining imperfections in cheaper locks that make it easier to pick?

Thanks

You'd be surprised. Some Made In China locks like Tri-Circle brand have mushroom pins. Then you get Master No.3 which has no mushroom pins or spool pins at all and has 4 pins instead of 5 pins like the Tri Circle padlocks.

But then you go to the store and get a Helping Hands padlock and those things just suck..

Squelchtone

[EmCee]

Squelchtone - I would be very grateful if you could avoid using that 'T' word in future. In fact, if the moderators could adjust the forum's language censor to automatically delete such references it would be an excellent thing.

For a while I thought I could pick locks. I've had success with pin tumbers including Euro cylinders. Then I thought, for a change, I'd dig out an old padlock I knew was lanquishing in a drawer. It is one of those 'T' things. A cheap padlock. It's a bit old and rusty, sure, but the key works pretty easily. I have tried picking it on four occasions and apart from growing blisters on my fingers I have nothing to show for it.

Expensive padlocks may be hard to pick. Cheap padlocks are not necessarily easy to pick. Apparently.

[Squelchtone]

Squelchtone - I would be very grateful if you could avoid using that 'T' word in future. In fact, if the moderators could adjust the forum's language censor to automatically delete such references it would be an excellent thing.

I have a gift for you - Click Here!


Squelchtone

[unlisted]

In fact, if the moderators could adjust the forum's language censor to automatically delete such references it would be an excellent thing.

Nope, sorry. Suck it up buttercup.

[Josh K]

I kinda have a love affair with security pins, especially the mushroom drivers in the medeco locks. Not sure what it is, I just like the false set.

[EmCee]

I have a gift for you - Click Here!

Click. Nausea. Hurl monitor to floor.

Nope, sorry. Suck it up buttercup.

Buy new monitor. Mutter stuff about unsympathetic and unhelpful mods.

I kinda have a love affair with security pins, especially the mushroom drivers

At last. An idea I can sign up to. Instead of making it my goal to open the padlock, I will make it my goal to get all the mushroom pins stuck. 'cors, if I do that the thing'll probably pop open.

[unlisted]

Nope, sorry. Suck it up buttercup.

Buy new monitor. Mutter stuff about unsympathetic and unhelpful mods.

... You do know I was joking, right?

But ya, in all seriousness, no matter how much you hate that "T" word, I don't think we can add it to the word filter..

[EmCee]

... You do know I was joking, right?
But ya, in all seriousness, no matter how much you hate that "T" word, I don't think we can add it to the word filter..

Yup, I knew you were joking - as was I with the ref to the word filter. I wasn't joking about the padlock though...couldn't believe that I was not able to pick it open given I knew it was a cheapo. It rakes fine, but spp there's hardly any feedback. Got it in the end but just goes to show that cheap vs expensive does not necessarily equate to how easily the thing will be to open.

Cheers...

[nostromo]

I have a few dozen of those cheapies as an easy victory for my students. Compared to the mortise cylinders they are easier for beginners to hold and control a tension wrench. BUT! There's one in the pile that suddenly decided to be hard to pick. The key works but is a tad stiff. I'm figuring a short top pin rotated and/or a spring got crushed by an eager student. Maybe that's the kind of critter yo have on your hands?

[EmCee]

Could well be nostromo. The padlock is old and hasn't been used for years. It's a bit rusty but the key works reasonably easily. I just didn't expect it to be hard to pick since I knew it was a cheap padlock (although I know it has security pins). If the problem is as you suspect, wouldn't using the key 'reset' it so that it could be picked?

Cheers...

[Rickthepick]

Tri circles are awful to pick, iv found the best method is to wiggle the plug whilst raking.... and thats not certain to work////

the ones made from volcanic rock are the worst seriously its like the metal its cast with is straight from a volcano its so poor

[Wizer]

You must be talking of these:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAWEX7Im88A
This is the biggest of these gray iron padlocks.
Most of them are just about impossible to spp.
But I don´t think the "T"-word should be discussed when buying a lock.