Upside-down

[Theist17]

I've noticed that some simple padlocks I have are decidedly more difficult for me to pick when they are in any position in which the pin stacks are not in the top half of movement.

That's probably a very poor way of explaining it, so here's something I hope will be more clear:

If the plug is imagined as a simple circle, the pins are usually located in the top half of that circle and the bottom of the plug would be in the lower half.

Now, if this positioning is inverted, I've found that the lock becomes considerably more difficult for me to pick. The most pronounced case of this (in my experience) has been with my Master Lock No. 532

I have gotten to the point at which I can consistently pick this lock when it is in a "normal" position (i.e; pins at the "top" of the plug) and, being a silly and non-thinking person, I mounted it upside-down on a thin rectangular piece of steel which is just wide enough to restrict the shackle's rotating on the strip. This prevents me from just turning the lock over and picking it right side up. Now I'm finding it incredibly difficult to pick this lock, even to the point of thinking it beyond my current capabilities.

Are there any special tips for picking locks which are oriented in this way?

[Solomon]

It's just a matter of practicing both ways. Most people get used to picking locks a certain way and find it uncomfortable to pick when the cylinder is inverted. I find pins at the bottom much easier, for example. It's just personal preference, doesn't have any effect on the mechanism itself.

[Eyes_Only]

Sometimes I found when picking a tricky padlock it helps to switch from holding it both right side up and upside down.

[Theist17]

Thanks so much for the replies!

However, I am not seeing an incredible amount help in that last one there. I can't flip the lock over as it is.
Please see my original post for information on why this is so.

I'm seriously considering taking the top bunk off of this bed and flipping it over in the morning so that I can accomplish this. I must beat this challenge. Haha

[unlisted]

This sounds sketchy..

I take it this lock is mounted to something, which is restricting the "free" movement of the actual lock, something like a shrouded padlock latch comes to mind....

Am I correct?

[SnowyBoy]

TBH I think this is all in your head.

Gravity shouldn't make any difference since the springs are always acting. Either that or they are totally knackered and compressed to the point where the pins almost fall into set when its upside down.

[Rickthepick]

just get used to picking both ways. here in the UK locks are mounted in all directions you just have to get your tension hand comfortable

[Theist17]

This sounds sketchy..

I take it this lock is mounted to something, which is restricting the "free" movement of the actual lock, something like a shrouded padlock latch comes to mind....

Am I correct?

Sorry, but it's not a shrouded latch.
It's a strip of steel about an inch wide and two and a half feet long(welded to either side of a top bunk on the ends), and the shackle has an inside diameter of about three eights of an inch. This prevents the lock from moving freely on that axis.

TBH I think this is all in your head.

Gravity shouldn't make any difference since the springs are always acting. Either that or they are totally knackered and compressed to the point where the pins almost fall into set when its upside down.

I suppose I'll just have to follow Rick's advice and just get used to picking both ways. I have to

. . . just have to get your [my] tension hand comfortable

I'll let you know how it goes!

[unlisted]

Why don't you just post a photo or two?

[Theist17]

Well, since I finally figured out how to send pictures to Photobucket from my phone (no digital camera for me,) here are some pictures of the lock in question and its interesting predicament.

The bed and the lock


Up close

I hope this banishes any suspicion of this lock being attached to something to which I'm not meant to gain access. I'm just tired of seeing this thing stare me in the face as I go to sleep at night.

[Evan]

Well, since I finally figured out how to send pictures to Photobucket from my phone (no digital camera for me,) here are some pictures of the lock in question and its interesting predicament.

The bed and the lock


Up close

I hope this banishes any suspicion of this lock being attached to something to which I'm not meant to gain access. I'm just tired of seeing this thing stare me in the face as I go to sleep at night.

Is that your lock, or is it something that a previous occupant of the room left behind that no one from the school has removed with bolt cutters ?

~~ Evan

[Theist17]

It's actually my lock and my bed. I'm living with my parents until I can get enough money for an apartment together.

[unlisted]

It's actually my lock and my bed. I'm living with my parents until I can get enough money for an apartment together.

Bunk bed?

[Squelchtone]

It's actually my lock and my bed. I'm living with my parents until I can get enough money for an apartment together.

Bunk bed?

shhhh he lives under the stairs and they chain him at night like that Austrian guy who had secret rooms under his house. Theist17 is trying to escape his Master 532 padlock, probably made a pick set from some bed springs that were poking out. I'm rooting for you buddy, you can do it!

To Freedom!



Squelchtone

[Theist17]

While I am laughing pretty hard at squelchtone's thought son the matter, I have to be honest about this.

My grandfather made two sets of these beds back in the late fifties. My father and his three brothers slept in these beds until they moved out of their parents' house. It's kind of a family tradition that young men of the family sleep in these beds until you move out and live on your own.

I take this quite seriously, and would appreciate it if everyone would kindly back off about the bunk beds. I don't mean to offend anyone or step on anyone's toes, but this is a family thing; and I take few things more seriously than my family.