Stubborn American 700!

[v12v12]

Okay, I've got a few issues with lightly used American 700.

1) From what I can tell it has a wafer in the back, but I'm not quite sure, since I can look down in the chamber plug and see a tiny little sliver at the very back plug wall and to the right. I've been able to slightly get a small hook-pick into it, but with all my fiddling, it doesn't seem to suffice as a Peterman-bypass tool... I don't have the wafer break kit, but I've got enough tools to find/make something that could, including a very small Tungsten-Carbide punch, so I'm not sure how to go about it w/o potentially breaking something.

2) Could I get this core rekeyed so I can use this lock? And about how much would it cost?

3) I've tried picking it and to no avail! I've tried oiling it up to aid in the serrates, using a "W" rake, Small Snake-rake, Diamond pick, Small Hook. The closest I've come is getting the plug to slightly turn, but nothing further. One problem I cannot seem to get past is the very back 1-2 pins! No matter how much tension I use, or jiggling, they always feel sprung. I've tried high/low tension/setting them and anything else I can think of from reading about other's picking attempts, but those 1-2 pins will not bind at all. What more can I do?

[Boosted_Phoenix]

As, far as i know American uses spool/serrated driver pins and serrated key pins, so that may be why your having trouble picking it.//there are plenty of posts and animations availabe by searching the forum to help you with those

Yes these locks are easily rekey-able.

Also the bypass tool has to be strong enough to turn the mechanism that retracts the locking ball berrings which takes some force, probably more then your pick can take before deforming and/or snapping.

"i think these statements also apply to the 700 series as far as i know the internal construction is very similar to the 1105 series im familiar with"

[Pickermeapie]

If you have gotten it to turn very slightly, your on the right track. Once you have gotten past the Serrated pins, It will turn slightly and then bind on the spool pins. Once this has happened, simply push up on each pin untill you feel the plug trying to go back to the start position. If you feel this, it is the spool pin trying to unbind. Lighten up on the tension very lightly and press on the pin untill it moves up. If you have more than one spool, then once you have done this, the plug will still bind, so keep looking for more spools. If you feel the plug go from a 5 degree turn back to a 0 degree turn, then another pin fell when you were pushing up on the spool, or you pushed too hard and got the bottom pin past the shear line. Keep trying, you will get it. Or you can send it to me

[quickpicks]

With practice theese locks are really easy. Raking does not work very well unless they are master keyed. Just keep practicing and you will crack it.

[v12v12]

With practice theese locks are really easy. Raking does not work very well unless they are master keyed. Just keep practicing and you will crack it.

Heh... How far away that seems in my case! lol. Do I need to make a special tensioner for the plug? I've seen some that tension from the top and bottom, looks sort of like a horseshoe. Or will my standard tension wrench actually work? I've spent hours playing round, trying to set pins etc, but it all just seems like I'm repeating the same flawed process. I think I just don't have the feel for them yet.

BTW- has anyone ever picked one of these locks in the elements... not at some comfy desk with a vise holding these heavy things? I can't imagine trying to pick something like this for someone outside in the cold!

[quickpicks]

custom tensioners work better because they do not get jammed in the keyway wards and give more room for a pick. I needed one for this cylinder because a normal tensioner was too akward. This cylinder was hard to impression.

[Auto45]

This might help
auto

American Padlock By-Pass Tool used on 700 and 1100 Series Locks
http://www.lockpicks.com/index.asp?Page ... ProdID=415

[quickpicks]

It will if there isn't a wafer in there because if there is you will also need a wafer breaker. In my opinion its a waste of money unless you plan to use this tool frequently. it will not work if the lock is seized up or takes a lot of tension to open. if you are picking it in the elements, Eg. winter you might want some bolt cutters because your tools will snap. In other seasons when you have the hang of opening them they are easy

[v12v12]

It will if there isn't a wafer in there because if there is you will also need a wafer breaker. In my opinion its a waste of money unless you plan to use this tool frequently. it will not work if the lock is seized up or takes a lot of tension to open.

Hrmm $24... kinda up there, considering I could prob make one and or buy some more picks/supplies to make picks with that cash I made a post about it - anyone ever made a DYI clone of that tool? I would like to try, but oh wait I LEFT my dremel at my parents house while visiting!!!! ERRRRR - I just cannot travel w/o my tools, it's like an addiction, carrying them around everywhere for those just-in-case moments that never seem to arise...