American lock sooo crazy

[daniel22747]

So I bought this American padlock for about $25 from a local lock smith. Took it home and found that it was impossible for me to pick it using any method.

I decided to take the thing apart and it became clear why. Just about every driver pin was a spool! The other one was a serratted pin. Even the key pins had what looked like a couple serations on them!

Well not to worry... I am going to use it as a practice lock starting with just one pin and moving up one pin at a time.

[fgarci03]

Im going, today or tomorrow, to post some breakdown photos of those. They are pretty nasty in fact!

Hope it will help you, I too haven't been able to pick serrated pins, serrated drivers, serrated spools (AKA spoorated). Those are evil indeed

[lockr]

I decided to take the thing apart and it became clear why. Just about every driver pin was a spool! The other one was a serratted pin. Even the key pins had what looked like a couple serations on them!

That's pretty much normal for American Locks. It seems to be completely random on which chamber gets a spool or not, regardless of the lock's model. The APTC14 cylinders fit into a large number of different American locks so I don't think there is any association between how a cylinder is pinned vs which lock it ends up in.

The oldest American locks I have seem to have fewer spools, whereas the newer ones I have bought almost always seem to have three or four spools. It never seems to be consistent though, which is good because keeping some element of randomness helps a bit with the security of the lock.

[phrygianradar]

I got an Abus lock that I couldn't pick, despite my diligent practice and effort. Took it apart and found 5 out of 6 pins were spools! It is in the "naughty lock" box...

I love picking American locks though, they are very challenging. I don't think I have ever had one as nasty as you described. The most I have seen is two out of five pins spooled and all of them serrated. It's a good idea to take the pins out and build up as you get the feel for it. This has inspired me to pull out my Americans again and build my skills up! Good luck and happy picking!

[fgarci03]

Here: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=56849

Not that it goes into picking, I still can't do it

[daniel22747]

Right now I got just one spool driver pin in there and one serrated driver pin. I like that these locks are so easy to take apart.

[dicey]

Well the newer American locks or lets say specific series use that new really cheap core... those are easy to pick and only the old or lets say better cores have those crazy pins inside. Did you guys see those cheap cores yet? I bet you have if not I can provide you with some pics.

[fgarci03]

I didn't knwo that. I know some have a C-Clip and other are crimped. Didn't know it had anythin to do with their "age".

There are some with serrated pins and other with bump proof pins.
The standart configurations are:
- Bump proof driver pin and everything else pretty regular
or
- 3 spoorated + 2 serrated driver pins and serrated key pins

Since yesterday I've been practicing on these last and got fairly good at it. But the irony is that I haven't been able to pick the one with the bump proof and not even 1 serrated pin

If you have picks of the bump proof pin configuration, I would be glad to see it!

[dicey]

That is exactly what I was trying to say
Well those cores withe the serrated pins exist for quite a time now and the cheapy bump proof cores with the cheap and rubbish pins are quite new if I am not wrong.

[fgarci03]

Give me pics!

I wanna see your porn collection!

[phrygianradar]

I have not seen the cheap cores yet. Did they do this to save money or just make them "bump proof"? Who knows, but I would love to see some pics too! What series are these new cheap cores in? Does anybody know?

[GWiens2001]

The cheap cores are crimped shut instead of using a c-clip. Will see if I can dig a bump-stop American out the the box and disassemble it for a picture.

You can still disassemble it. I use a screwdriver and the key or picked cylinder. Turn the plug so the open part of the keyway is lined up with one of the two crimps. Use the screwdriver that is small enough to fit in the bottom of the keyway at the rear of the plug, and lightly tap the crimp outwards. Turn the plug another 180 degrees and tap out the crimp on the other side. The plug can now be removed.

To reassemble, just use that screwdriver on the outside of the cylinder to tap the crimps back into the groove in the plug.

Gordon

[dicey]

My Porn collection?

I will post pictures of my lock collection at some point this year, I still have to acquire a few "master pieces" before doing that though.

You can still disassemble it. I use a screwdriver and the key or picked cylinder. Turn the plug so the open part of the keyway is lined up with one of the two crimps. Use the screwdriver that is small enough to fit in the bottom of the keyway at the rear of the plug, and lightly tap the crimp outwards. Turn the plug another 180 degrees and tap out the crimp on the other side. The plug can now be removed.

A friend of mine uses a Dremel and just removes the material. You can use a circlip on it afterwards!
I do not have a Dremel (sadly) that is why I did not take one apart yet but I know what's in there though... I will try to take one apart this week!

[fgarci03]

My Porn collection?

Before you do anything we may regret, I meant you LOCK porn collection

[snake_wrangler]

Just to explain the cheap core vs the good cores: A few years ago Master bought American. So, new Americans are really just Master Lock cores in the American bodies. Buy up all the old Americans while you can