Can't go both ways!

[0Gravity]

I guess I am NOT Bi.....directional, that is!

Hi All, I am 3 days old into this hobby, The first of which was spent making a pick set, and the last two doing a S**TLOAD of reading and picking around in some old padlocks I had laying around, and I have become fairly proficient at SP picking 2 of the 3 in under 30 seconds, which I hope is pretty good for a Newbie. One of those locks is a Tow Hitch Receiver Lock made by "Buyers" which is the lock I have the question about.....This lock, which I have the key for, when the key is in will unlock by turning the key in either direction (But I would not have known this if I did not have the key). So when I first tried to pick this lock, I tried picking in the "Clockwise Key-turn" which in my experience is the "Norm" for any padlock I have seen, although I am sure there are exceptions...try as I might, I could/can NOT pick this lock in that direction, so I flipped my tension wrench around and tried it the other way, and picked it in no time at all! When trying to pick it in the Clockwise direction, I dont seem to get the "Feel" out of the pins that I do when going in the other direction, and have a hard time figuring which is the binding pin, almost as if there is no tension on it! So my questions are, if the key can open the lock in either direction, shouldn't I be able to pick it in both directions? And if so, is their any tricks to doing so? Oh and BTW the "Pins" in this lock almost seem Flat instead of round, if that makes any difference.

Thanks in advance for any input, and I am really enjoying reading through this site!
Mike

[unlisted]

Photos?

[0Gravity]

Photos?

Best I can do tonight is this link http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/ ... sku=330563 which shows the exact same lock...If you need a better picture of the key or keyway I can take some and upload them tomorrow.

[MacGyver101]

Hrm. "Flat pins" sounds like they might be wafers, but I can't tell from the product photos.

Some locks do pick easier in one direction than the other (and the reason why can be due to either tolerances in the lock, or how the locking mechanism works). One option in cases like that is to pick the lock in the easier direction and then use a plug spinner to flip it over to the other direction.

[0Gravity]

I guess it is not a big deal...as I am able to pick it, my main thinking was if I can pick it in one direction I thought I should be able to pick it in the other....Also if I was to come across a lock like this in which I had no key, how would I know which was the right direction to start with?

Thanks for the replies,
Mike

[femurat]

What do you use this lock for? Sorry I can't imagine it.

Thanks

[0Gravity]

What do you use this lock for? Sorry I can't imagine it.

Thanks

It is a "Locking Pin" for a trailer hitch receiver "Reese Style Hitch" you slide the hitch ball into the receiver and slide a pin through both of them...so the ball does not pull out when towing the trailer, this lock takes the place of that pin so that a thief cant just pull the pin out and steel the trailer.
It is the same as in this picture, just a different style lock.
http://www.kwaree.com/blog/wp-content/u ... c00885.jpg

[nostromo]

Is the cylinder spring loaded? That is to say, is there resistance when you turn it in the opening direction and that it automatically returns to the locked position when you let go of the key?

[0Gravity]

Is the cylinder spring loaded? That is to say, is there resistance when you turn it in the opening direction and that it automatically returns to the locked position when you let go of the key?

Yes, it is a spring loaded cylinder, it automatically returns from both directions when the key is in it and it is turned to unlock in either direction.

[femurat]

Thanks for the explanation 0Gravity. Now I got it.

Cheers