ABUS 83AL/45 Z SERIES

[Mitchell S]

Well I'm only new to the spot of lock picking (and loving it so far), and up until now I have been wondering where my current skill level runs out. This lock is definitely answering that question. I started out with a few cutaway practice locks, followed by 6 or so of the non-cutaway versions of the same type of practice lock (the ones you get on lockpickersmall.com). Well that gave me a false sense of security, because it was pretty darn easy. Also easy was picking my front door deadbolt and every other lock in the house. Hey this whole hobby is too easy right!?!? Wrong..

I'm wondering if I have tried to leap too far ahead. I think the toughest locks I've picked until now was a Master 150, but I can pick that every time in a minute or so. Do I need a few interim steps until I come back to this or should I just stick to it?

I'm finding it really challenging because the tension control is very difficult (I think the spring is pretty heavy), and feedback is a real problem for me. I'm not even sure if I am in a false set, and then I am not picking up the feedback from the security pins. This was really obvious to me on the Master locks.

Any advice from the pros on the site? I have no doubt that to most of you this is a pretty darn easy pick, but I'm struggling....

Still fun though!!

[billdeserthills]

You could shoot some lubricant into the keyhole, or tape the shackle down all the way (or just unlock it) to remove that pressure

[Mitchell S]

Ok let's pretend this didn't happen, but I just accidentally rocked it open twice trying to force a false set...

Again let's ignore that because I do want to be able to SPP this thing. I think the bitting on this particular lock is quite uniform so it probably a bit more susceptible to rocking than most Abuses out there

[nite0wl]

Is that the 6000 core? That doesn't look like an Abus core (not brass, no stamped keyway/core code on the face) but those seem to be Abus keys.

Anyway, yes, the Abus 83 series does have a rather heavy spring on the tailpiece but it doesn't usually interfere with picking so much as it makes it hard to tell that you have picked it (it will turn slightly more than it would in a false set but the spring and friction between the body and plug will make it feel like it is still bound). Eventually this will lessen as the parts wear in (most mid range Abus locks have a very tight fit coming out of the factory) but a little bit of careful lubrication of the plug and cam will help this.

From the look of the keys in that photo a good rake should power through that lock and jiggling would also probably get through it easily. If that is an Abus core with Abus driver pins in it you have an excellent lock to practice picking security pins in but you need to be pretty comfortable with them (Abus factory cylinders typically only contain 1 standard or serrated pin and have spools in all the other chambers). If you don't have a lot of experience with picking spool pins something with fewer security pins (or just fewer pins period, the keys suggest it is pinned in all 6 chambers). Make sure you can get through something like an Abus 64 before you tackle this, otherwise just keep practicing on your 83 and you will eventually be able to SPP it routinely.

[Mitchell S]

Ok so my sparrows order finally arrived with my plug followers and tweezers so I was able to gut this thing. To my amazement it looks like there are no security pins in it!?! What the hell Abus? And to make me more depressed I haven't been able to SPP this thing (maybe because I have been expecting spools everywhere). There are some very slight roundings on the driver pins but I doubt that does anything security wise. It's definitely a genuine Abus core as you can see from the pics. I didn't think Abus made padlocks without security pins!? This is disappointing. I am wondering if it is an Australian market thing. One positive though is that the tolerances on this thing must me super fine because I was struggling to get any feedback from my pick or wrench. I have been picking 65/40s easy as you like lately, but this thing is tripping me up thoughts everyone??

[femurat]

Hey Mitchell S,

first of all, nice beer choice. I didn't know we exported it down there.

I have a titalium too and had a hard time getting a feel for it too. The first time I tried to pick it... after 5 minutes I had to put it down and heat my hands with other two padlocks.
Then I went back to the titalium and picked it. It gives a strange feedback. I still don't understand it completely. Maybe the small keyway gives me little room to move my picks, but the pin sliding in a titanium chamber feels strange. I guess it's just a matter of time till we'll find this sensation common. Nice little and lightweight lock.

Cheers

[nite0wl]

At a guess, I would have to say that the lack of spool pins is a local market thing. All of my US 83 series Abus cores have almost every chamber filled with spool pins, even in the Titalium versions. The tolerances make it quite difficult even without the spools but wear will improve that.

[Mitchell S]

At a guess, I would have to say that the lack of spool pins is a local market thing. All of my US 83 series Abus cores have almost every chamber filled with spool pins, even in the Titalium versions. The tolerances make it quite difficult even without the spools but wear will improve that.

It's pretty annoying, when you pick for sport you want as much pin craziness as possible. Now I need to order them from overseas if I want a decent challenge. Anyone know where I can get replacement Euro or US cores to chuck in these (I have quite a few titanium so with this kind of core)?

[Comrade627]

Again let's ignore that because I do want to be able to SPP this thing

That's my number one rule. I don't care if I can rake and whatnot. While I do pick with various techniques, I don't consider a lock picked until I SPP it. It's called standards.

[billdeserthills]

Again let's ignore that because I do want to be able to SPP this thing

That's my number one rule. I don't care if I can rake and whatnot. While I do pick with various techniques, I don't consider a lock picked until I SPP it. It's called standards.

I just like to pick on it until I get paid, I call it a job

[Mitchell S]

I have SPPd it now that I know what I was dealing with! I was getting frustrated not being able to force a false set (obviously that was impossible given what I know now), and just ending up rocking it open. This thing is rated a 8 on Abus security scale, I can literally open it in 5 seconds.

[Squelchtone]

I have SPPd it now that I know what I was dealing with! I was getting frustrated not being able to force a false set (obviously that was impossible given what I know now), and just ending up rocking it open. This thing is rated a 8 on Abus security scale, I can literally open it in 5 seconds.

I think that security scale only takes in account the lock body and shackle strength. It's too bad that there isn't a universal pick proof / pick resistant rating as well.

Squelchtone

[Comrade627]

I have SPPd it now that I know what I was dealing with! I was getting frustrated not being able to force a false set (obviously that was impossible given what I know now), and just ending up rocking it open. This thing is rated a 8 on Abus security scale, I can literally open it in 5 seconds.

I think that security scale only takes in account the lock body and shackle strength. It's too bad that there isn't a universal pick proof / pick resistant rating as well.

Squelchtone

Could make one. I don't think it would be too complicated. With 10 seconds of thought on it, perhaps a multiplication table looking thing, taking into account number of pins/types, keyway complication (a scale on it's own), etcetc. 1 point for this pin, 2 points for that pin, add em'all up and your lock is a 13/50 or something. Of course packaging would just reflect a number, and not the contents of a lock.

[Mitchell S]

I have SPPd it now that I know what I was dealing with! I was getting frustrated not being able to force a false set (obviously that was impossible given what I know now), and just ending up rocking it open. This thing is rated a 8 on Abus security scale, I can literally open it in 5 seconds.

I think that security scale only takes in account the lock body and shackle strength. It's too bad that there isn't a universal pick proof / pick resistant rating as well.

Squelchtone

That would be excellent! Do we have an industry insider we can petition to get to work on it?