My Current Nemesis (American Lock 700 and 1205)

[Doctor Hexagon]

Hello all. It's been a while since I've been around. I started working full time at as a locksmith in Virginia a couple months ago and it's been keeping me quite busy.

Ok so here's my current lock nemesis. The American Lock padlocks. Of course I realize they can be picked, and I have picked some clones of them before. I have two American locks sitting on my desk. I have probably spent about 8 hours between the two of them, and I haven't been able to get either of them open.

How embarrassing... I'm supposed to be an expert at this sort of thing, right?

Well after all these years of experience at picking locks I've never never encountered a genuine American lock before. It was only having to rekey some at the shop that I realized they have smaller diameter pins.

So then, my question is... what the frell? Do the smaller diameter pins really make it that much more difficult to pick? My trouble is, I can get it in to a false set very reliably. Spool, serrated, and spoortated pins in locks have never stopped me in any other kind of lock before. Even the new Schlage F series locks with the T pins in them only slow me down. Once I get the lock in to a false set I can feel each pin stack for resistance and counter-rotation and then set each stack properly. When I get either of these in to a false set I cannot get any feedback or plug counter-rotation. The pin stacks just seem stuck once I get it to a false set. Even gently lifting a pin stack and using my turning tool to gently rotate the plug in the opposite direction doesn't seem to help me, I only end up resetting all the pins each time.

Is this typical of American padlocks? I'm not a heavy handed picker, but is it possible I'm using too much tension? My method to dealing with security pins has always been to let them go in to a false set if they go and then deal with them once I get the plug to begin rotating that slight amount in to a false set. I've heard some of you can avoid the false set altogether by using extremely light tension. Is that even really possible?

These padlocks are being real ego bruisers, especially since I care so much about picking and typically hold myself to high standards. Any input is welcome.

[femurat]

Light tension is the key. I don't think you can avoid a false set. But as you already know a false set is our best friend with these (all?) locks.
I always tension from the top: I have more room for my pick and don't lock the tension wrench between the plug and the cylinder or the drill breaker, preventing the plug from rotating.

The most common problem I encounter with Americans is to overset a pin. Serrated keypins makes you think it's in a false set, but it may be overset. I try to be very careful and avoid this situation. If I'm not sure I try to gently "brush" the pins to be sure they are all free to drop down.

I quote raimundo on this: sometimes you've picked the lock and you haven't noticed that. Before releasing tension and starting again, insert a small flat screwdriver and try to rotate the plug to see if the lock is picked and the strong spring or some friction prevents it from turning.

Good luck

[Doctor Hexagon]

Working at these locks right now. I still can't crack them. It's really maddening.

This week I picked an Em-D-Kay padlock that was loaded with security pins, a tubular lock, a Best IC core to control, and a Medeco biaxial 5-pin, yet I still cannot pick either of these 5-pin American padlocks.

I can now get them picked to a false set on command every time, but I can't get them out of the false set. Every attempt I've made to true set a pin stack or even decipher which pin stacks may be false set result in resetting the lock completely.

This is not discouraging so much as it is disturbing. I find myself asking 'Is it going to be this way with all American padlocks? Will I never be able to open one?'

One thing that I've tried that seem to be helping a little is lubricating the locks with graphite. I'm getting much better feedback now, but still no discernible feedback on which stacks are false setting.

[Doctor Hexagon]

Ok...

I've just had a revelation.

I've had these locks picked open dozens of times. Each one of those false sets I had was a FALSE false set...

I'm a real genius sometimes (sarcasm). The trouble with these locks is that once they are picked it takes quite a bit more torque to open the lock than very light touch I've been using one them. I just stuck a firmer tool in there whil keeping light tension and opened them up.

After all this maddening trouble, and all those times I gave up from frustration, I probably had opened the lock open 3 or 4 times each session without realizing it.

@femurat, I should have listened to you more carefully. Your quote from raimundo was exactly correct. I just needed more torque from a stronger tool. Thanks so much for your advice!