Master 575 Broken spring.

[WolfSpring]

So I get asked to open a lock on a box that the key is not working today, a master 575. We don't want to use the bolt cutters because the box could be damaged. I pull out the bogata and go to work, everything appears to be working but it just won't turn, I put the key in and it is obviously not working, I SPP it, can't find any pins after I get them all to set, WTF. I realize I am picking it upside down, I think, broken spring.

I turn the box upside down, tap the side of the lock to reset all the pins and put the key in, and presto it turns... Sometimes the simplest solution is the best and quickest. We got the lock off, and tested my thought on the spring, opens right side up but not upside down. Good to know, to bad I can't fix the spring, but I learned.

[chriswingate]

The pin springs were busted/deteriorated causing no pressure to force the pins into the plug?

[WolfSpring]

I think it was just one, when I was picking it the all had resistance, except one and easy to set spp. They have used the key on that lock so many times that the face you can barely read the number fromt eh scrathces so i figured it wore out. Just interesting to come accross

[chriswingate]

yeah definitely, I've had a couple locks where one of the springs have collapsed making a little more difficult, especially when you dont know one of the springs is indeed broken.

[EmCee]

A good reminder not to ignore the simple solutions but (not trying to be a smartass) if you had the key, why did you try picking it?

Also, you said you put the key in after the first failed attempt with the bogota but that it didn't work. If the key went in all the way, then the pins must have been moved to the shear line regardless of whether a spring was broken. If the lock didn't open that would be a hint that some pins might be riding too high so tapping, turning it upside down etc would be worth a shot to get all the pins to ride correctly on the key bitting.

If the key didn't go in all the way, it would give a hint as to which chamber might be a problem.

Cheers...

[WolfSpring]

It was not100% the key was the right key. We have several locks of the same kind and they are all marked using Roman Numerals and Marker, though the keys on that ring had been the same keys the entire time. There was the thought that someone had mixed up another lock with the same number and the cooinciding key was wrong on that lock too. And normally to pick these locks takes me 2 seconds. It was a learning experience for me I have never encountered a broken spring on an enclosed padlock like this, only on old beat up padlocks. Either way I posted for others to learn the simplicity of the problem and hope they are quicker to think of a broken spring than I was.

Off topic: I would drive my self nutz if I was surronded by euro style locks, there is no gravity invovled and a broken spring on an installed euor style lock would be suck a pain in the arse.