Master 140 - now a 5 pin core?

[dhk42]

So there are a bunch of padlock disassembly posts around the forum. This one is a detailed guide to the Master 140 with pictures:

http://www.lockpicking101.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1890#p12986

In it Mad Mick says that you remove the four pin stacks, then you can remove the fifth and pull the core. I have seen this advice elsewhere as well.

So imagine my surprise when I couldn't get the core out with five body pins removed. Further I could look down into the fifth hole and watch the core turn. So I looked and found a sixth body pin, which when removed allowed the core to fall out.

This lock was manufactured in 2016 judging by the stamp on the bottom, but it has five pin stacks and a five pin core. The fifth pin stack was empty and the key was the usual 4 pin key. I can't imagine why they would add a pin stack to the manufacturing process and leave it empty, but there it is.





David

[dhk42]

The reason I did this, by the way, was because I had heard that the 140 had a spool or two and I couldn't feel it. So for the record these were the pins (all plain):



It is much harder to open when filled up with American security pins and varied springs in all five chambers.



David

[GWiens2001]

Looks like they added a pin stack, and removed the spools. All my Master 140 locks have had four pins and spools.

Gordon

[kwoswalt99-]

Looks like they added a pin stack, and removed the spools. All my Master 140 locks have had four pins and spools.

Gordon

Such a Master Lock thing to do.

[Jacob Morgan]

Maybe it was a parts-simplification project to commonize parts across product lines? May be easier to only make a five chamber plug of that size versus making both four and five chamber plugs. When it goes in a five pin lock, put all five in, otherwise just pit in four. One less part for the factory to make.

[Ralph_Goodman]

Maybe it was a parts-simplification project to commonize parts across product lines? May be easier to only make a five chamber plug of that size versus making both four and five chamber plugs. When it goes in a five pin lock, put all five in, otherwise just pit in four. One less part for the factory to make.

That sounds about right. Those were my thoughts exactly.

Once again Master tries to make their locks cheaper, all the while disregarding security.

Thanks for the post. I have fallen off of fallowing the new Master updates because I know they aren't worth much. (And the company seems to agree).

Now I have another example of why these products are such a joke. I can't wait until they start using keys with five grooves, just so they don't have to make the 4 depth key anymore.

[OrMeanGene]

Good job plugging the challenge coin in the photo

[jimu57]

Good job plugging the challenge coin in the photo

I noticed that too.