What is the easiest and best way to remove a spring cover

[stevedavis]

I tried the search function, but it did not help. Some of the cylinders have spring caps that are easy to remove, but others can be very difficult, if even possible without destroying it entirely. Can someone help me w/ a technique or a way to get the spring cover off? What do you recommend?

[Shrub]

Do you mean the cover on a pin tumbler cylinder lock?

If so they arent really supposed to come off, if your rekeying theres better ways and the proper way but if for some other reason then the difficult ones im afraid do have to be hit with a hammer and pin punch to slide them off.

Any chance of a pic?

Could help you better then

[stevedavis]

Sorry, I should have mentioned I am referring to a rim cylinder. I do not have a key to there cylinders and I am trying to re key them. I have a few pins, but in order to get the plug out, I either need a key, or I need to pick the lock to turn it. I definitely can not pick it, so the only option seems to be to take the spring cover off.

[Shrub]

You dont have to pick the lock to repin it,

You insert a key blank, insert a shim from the back, withdraw the key blank whilst pushing the shim in, once the key blank is out and the shim is in you can turn the cylinder a bit then push the plug out with a follower, you then repin the plug and push it back in whilst pushing the follower out, you then rotate the plug back to top centre and put the clip back on the back.

Thats the proper way to repin a cylinder, search the site for a better described method, taking the pin cover off is not really the way to go and the lock can fail on you if things go wrong.

[stevedavis]

Thanks, I will try now.

[Shrub]

The shim goes down the shear line by the way just incase i hadnt made that clear

[vector40]

If you don't have a shim you might also try the "rapping" method, though it's never worked for me.

Don't pull off those permanent covers; my understanding is that they can only be replaced with the proper tools, you can't just pop it back.

[stevedavis]

I have not yet got a shim, can you explain the "rapping" method?

[illusion]

to get some easy shims take the security tag they use on DVDs in shops, and cut it open.

Inside you wil find 3 strips of thin metal, these will shim open most locks you will need them for, but you need to be gentle

[zeke79]

to get some easy shims take the security tag they use on DVDs in shops, and cut it open.

Inside you wil find 3 strips of thin metal, these will shim open most locks you will need them for, but you need to be gentle

The easiest place to get them although they do not have the nice curve of an actual lock shim. It will still definately work though .

[Shrub]

depending on how good your lock is you may get a bit of beer can to work as well,

Are you repinning for a customer of for a practice lock? if a practice lock you may get it with raping if you cant pick it, look up bumping.

Remember to use a plug follower to push the plug out or else you will also have to then refit the springs and top pins.

[vector40]

I have not yet got a shim, can you explain the "rapping" method?

I learned about it from LSS; someone with a copy better explain.

[digital_blue]

Rapping works similar to bumping. What has worked for me on occasion is to put a tension wrench in the lock (while it's in your hand), apply light tension, and smack the thing down on your work bench with reasonable force. Repeat as needed.

You can also whack it with a mallet if you prefer, though I've never had much luck with that.

The whole process is hit and miss anyway, but you might luck out.

Cheers!

db

[illusion]

oh.... I think I get you Db.

you insert the tension wrench and apply tension, then you take a mallet and hit the side of the lock. It goes along the same lines of bump-keys, and seperates the top pins from the bottom pins.

I think this process has been made redundant in new locks though...

[digital_blue]

Yeah, that's the idea, though I've only ever really had it work by smashing the lock on the work bench something fierce, and I can't imagine that was all that good for the lock.

Regarding newer locks, I would think that varying tensioned springs or balanced drivers would have some negative effect the viability of this method, but the kind of lock that it's likely to work on probably doesn't have any of that anyway.

All in all, it's worth trying with a cheap lock you don't care about, or can be used in a pinch if necessary, but IMO, probably not really the right approach. I'd be more inclined to pick the lock, as any cheap lock is easy to pick, and any expensive lock will likely not rap open very easily.

db