need help with a masterlock

[rean1611]

i need to get into 4 or 5 normal sized masterlocks, the ones that have plastic rim things on the bottom and are kind of old, i realy only know how to rake atm, could someone show me an effective fast raking tool that is designed for masterlocks or can open them fast and simply?

[savior]

any commercial rake, and some practice. you'll get it. even just a half-daimond will rake most masters pretty easy, if you're any good. picking is a skill that you have to develop, you can't expect or hope or ask for an easy way through any of it. just get something easy, try a lot of different locks, and work your way up.

i started by just raking a bunch of locks for a minute or two... went through 7 or 8 locks, not sure how well i was doing on each of them, and eventually one opened. pretty sure it was just luck, and not the best way to go. it was a master 140 i believe. black plastic case around solid copper. anyway, i couldn't open it on my second try, but eventually learned to pick it and all my other locks pin by pin.

the point is, you've got to practice, you can't just make it open with magic. it's a skill.

[geno]

Buy 2 Master locks and practice on them. When your at the store, look at the keys carefully. Get locks with very different key cuts. You will find that they are very easy to "master" with very little practice.

When you start practicing, don't rake it right away. Do them pin by pin. You will end up with a better understanding of how a lock works.

[dwkbb]

I have found the, like all locks, the tension is the most important factor. The Master locks I have picked require extremely light tension. The ones I have done don't have any spring "counter tension" like some padlocks do. Apply incredibly light tension initially and you should have success.

[derekarcher]

SO THats how you pick master locks for a long time i could not pick thim at all never thought to use light tension

[Peter Martin]

If your locks are old, you might also want to make sure they work properly. If you have the key, see that the key turns easily, otherwise spray some graphite into it.
Make sure that your pick is small enough. The standard HPC hook picks are a little too large to work well, but their hald-diamond pick is a good size. You may have to thin the hook pick down, or make your own version about 3/4 or 7/8 size. My first attempt (many years ago) and pick making were because I had a Master padlock and my hook was too large to manseuver.
Master padlocks are excellent training locks, you can take them anywhere to practice. The less expensive ones don't have security pins.

[Peter Martin]

darn -- no edit function...

hald-diamond = half-diamond
manseuver = maneuver

[Ben WV]

Hmm, I've found the opposite to be true. Master locks have spring resistance to plug rotation (if you let go of the key, it snaps back to the locked position). If you apply too light a tension, you'll pick the thing and not even know it. Just put the key in and feel how much pressure it takes to turn it. Whatever that ammount is, you'll want to apply a just a touch more (so you can actually feel the pinstacks break).

Also, the master padlock keyway/biting is pretty compact comapred to what you see on door hardware. Chances are good that if you're having trouble, your problem is overlifting pins. The thing that fouled me up more than anything else as a beginner was overlifting.

Put your hook pick against the side of the key and see how much difference there is between the lowest and highest cut. DOes your hook exceed that difference by a lot (25%)? It probably does. Be very careful of overlifting and mashing pins you don't intend to lift.

[Mad Mick]

Hmm, I've found the opposite to be true. Master locks have spring resistance to plug rotation (if you let go of the key, it snaps back to the locked position). If you apply too light a tension, you'll pick the thing and not even know it. Just put the key in and feel how much pressure it takes to turn it. Whatever that ammount is, you'll want to apply a just a touch more (so you can actually feel the pinstacks break).

A tip for the amount of tension required, is to put the tension wrench through the hole in the key bow, then turn the key. The idea is not mine, and I can't remember who originally posted it, but if anyone else can remember who it was, please credit them.

[amc31b]

I've found that the key space on most master padlocks is too small for the hook pick. if try to use the hook pick, you will most likely overset the pins. put the hook pick down and use the half diamond or snake pick. i've also found for some reason, masterlocks are easier to scrub/rake open. be gentle and take your time. if you're like me and fairly new to picking, you put all this concentration into picking a lock, and it never opens. then one day you'll just start picking around not even trying, and the lock will pop open. this is going to make you mad, but learn from it. when most beginners read about lock picking, they are told to be gentle, try to concentrate and imagine what is going on inside the lock. every time i try to concentrate and put all my attention to the pick and tension wrench, i never open the lock.
hey this is just me though, i think alot of fellow pickers will agree with me and some wont. just some thoughts of a new picker.
if anyone has any advice/tips for me please post!
thanx
have good pickings!

[Minion]

I've found that the key space on most master padlocks is too small for the hook pick. if try to use the hook pick, you will most likely overset the pins. put the hook pick down and use the half diamond or snake pick. i've also found for some reason, masterlocks are easier to scrub/rake open. be gentle and take your time. if you're like me and fairly new to picking, you put all this concentration into picking a lock, and it never opens. then one day you'll just start picking around not even trying, and the lock will pop open. this is going to make you mad, but learn from it. when most beginners read about lock picking, they are told to be gentle, try to concentrate and imagine what is going on inside the lock. every time i try to concentrate and put all my attention to the pick and tension wrench, i never open the lock.
hey this is just me though, i think alot of fellow pickers will agree with me and some wont. just some thoughts of a new picker.
if anyone has any advice/tips for me please post!
thanx
have good pickings!

What kind of hook are you using? Mine fits in perfectly. I can pop most master locks in 30 seconds with not but a hook (and tension wrench, of course)

[amc31b]

minion,
i am using the cheap 15 dollar beginners set from southord. keep in mind was being very general, larger locks will work with my hook pick and different hook picks would also work with any lock. there are alot of factors that decide if your pick will fit into a key space. i was just being very general.
what are some other quality pick sets for under $50 i do understand my little 5 peice kit will not suffice once i get more advanced.
thanks for the help!
have good pickings!

[Minion]

I have not but the 14 piece set, with the same hook (shallow hook)