Series 747: American Padlock

[David_Parker]

Has anyone picked a 747 series of the American Padlocks? Its a proving to be a real pain. At work (my new locksmith job), I was handed one to see if I could pick it, because they need a key. Its been re-pinned with serrated and high-low points, so its tough.

In terms of the keyway, hard, and I mean HARD tension is required just to get one pin to stick. I'm thinking about drilling out the retaining pin, but I want to be able to replace it, but I'm sure if I can...so, any ideas would help.


-Dave.

[quickpicks]

I don't think you will have too much luck picking it. the tops of the pins are flattened off instead of being rounded off and there are also false sets on the spool pins. Try impressioning the lock.

[Mad Mick]

Dave: Maybe the handing-of-the-lock to you was a test...

As quickpicks suggests, impressioning could be the way forward, since they "need a key".

[zeke79]

you can also use a 700 series bypass tool made by peterson. If the lock is equiped with the new protective disks to block the bypass tool then use peterson's american wafer breaker before using the bypass tool to punch out the protective disk. These tools will cost you around $60 and will come in very handy if you work with american locks frequently as the bypass tool works on the 700 series and the 5200 series locks if I recall correctly.

As far as picking the lock is concerned, it can be done. Try flooding the lock with WD-40 to help fill the serations before picking.

[David_Parker]

Thanks for the info so far.

Can't seem to find a key blank for it.

And in regards to the AM700 tool, I believe that only works on the 700 series,
round-body padlocks. I.E. AM700 locks. Not the 747.

I'm also concerned about tension....Americans seem to need quite a bit, but serreted pins need light tension, so, which should I uses?

-Dave.

[David_Parker]

I've removed an allen-set screw from the side of the lock, allowing myself to feel the shackle, yet it still remains closed...what does this screw allow?

-Dave.

[geno]

I've removed an allen-set screw from the side of the lock, allowing myself to feel the shackle, yet it still remains closed...what does this screw allow?

-Dave.

That would allow removal of the shackle if the lock was open.

If the cylinder is anything like my 700 series, its going to be difficult to get it open. Every pin is serrated and there are 2 spools. You also need a bunch of tension to pop it. I would try starting at different pins. Some of my locks respond better if I start at the second pin vs. the more conventional last pin.

[zeke79]

The american 700 series tool is just that, for the series of 700 locks. I have used the tool on both round and square guarded shackle locks(I am sure this is the lock you are talking about). The main thing is getting around the protective disk if the lock is new.

The tools you need are the peterson american padlock bypass tool part # AD-B and the American 2 Piece wafer breaker part # AD-WB0-2. If you buy these tools, follow the directions and find they dont work then I'll buy them from you. Thats how sure I am they will work (if we are both talking about the square body guarded shackle lock).

[raimundo]

If you continue to try picking it, put in oneor two drops of light machine oil, (3in1 oil) this will help in picking it, really. there are other opinions of this idea, but i am sure you will find it easier to pick, the oil helps to negate the problems created by the serrated pins.

[vector40]

Does using the wafer breaker destroy the lock?

[zeke79]

no, the wafer breaker simply pierces a hole in the disk that prevents the entry of the bypass tool. After using the bypass tool to open the lock the cylinder can be removed and rekeyed, a new protective disk inserted and reassembled. I will look around to see if I have an old disk that has been punched out with the wafer breaker to show you what they look like after the wafer breaker has been used. There is however no damage done to the lock or the cylinder itself, only the sheet metal disk which can easily be replaced while rekeying the lock.

[vector40]

Which results in a perfectly fine lock which is just the same as the 700 series before they started installing the wafers in the first place, right?

[zeke79]

Yes you are correct.

[zeke79]

well I could not find any punched disks laying around but I found a link showing how the bypass tools work along with how the disks block the tool from working until you use the wafer breaker kit.

Here is the link http://deviating.net/lockpicking/17.03-american_example.html

Scroll through the whole example and watch the short flash presentation.

[MudSlinger]

I know this usually isnt suggested but I have gotten lucky at my work sitting around fooling with an american " soda machine" lock I just made a large range of jiggle picks/tryout keys and one of them ended up working. I have also managed to open a 700 series and an abus discus using a method that was quickly shot down and overlooked on this website. I lubed the locks with TriFlow, with teflon ! took a blank key of the wall and moved it in and out with adjusting tension randomly from hard to medium hard. anywho just a thought.

Muds