Master Lock Python Lock

[HoneyB]

Hi all,

I am new to the forum and am here because someone told me about
lock picking and I got the bug. Anyways the reason I was introduced to
lock picking was that I have this Python lock that has a camera locked to
a tree and I lost the keys to it. Someone mentioned that I could just pick
the lock and it would come right off.



I have read several topics on the forum and even made myself a home-
made set of picks and a wrench. So far I have only been able to unlock a
few cheap padlocks and a desk draw lock.


I was wanting to know if anyone here has ever tried to pick a Python lock?
The Python Lock is made by Master Lock Co. and is kind of a padlock with
a cable. The lock mechanism uses discs or wafers instead of pins. The ad
says it is virtually unpickable. Well anyways I tried to pick another one
of my Python locks and can not open it. I was just hoping someone here
might have picked one and give me some pointers.



I was really wanting to be able to save this lock because they run around
$20 US. If I can't pick it I will have to destroy the lock just to get my
camera back. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

[vector40]

... camera locked to a tree?

[zeke79]

Could be a wildlife camera. You best bet is to cut it or call a locksmith. A disk lock system will likely be out of your league if you are just starting out.

[digital_blue]

Well now I've heard everything. I've never actually seen a camera locked to a tree before, though I guess if I were to lock my camera to a tree, I'd want a good locking system on it.

db

[skold]

The python locks we have here are all WAFER, and looking on their site i believe they are all wafer.

Easier to pick, but you will need the tools to do so.

[Chrispy]

The Pythons we have are pin tumbler locks.

[skold]

maybe there are some variations?

Very odd.

Though i only have one for my bike, And have only seen them sold as wafer.

[Aqua]

Figures.... One more tool to add to the picking-set... a chainsaw.
Mabey it would be easier to cut down the tree, or the branch that the camera is locked to (if it's not too big of a tree).

[HoneyB]

Thanks for all the replies.


The camera is an infrared wildlife camera. It is in a waterproof box and
locked to the tree. When wildlife walks by it trips the infrared beam and
that causes the camera to shutter a picture. It is a digital camera so I
get like up to 250 pictures when I put the camera out.


Aqua, the man that owns the land does not want any trees cut down, so
that option is out.


Zeke, If I can not pick the lock I will have to cut it. I don't think that a
locksmith wants to walk a half mile into the woods where the camera is.


Skold what kind of tools would I need to pick the lock? Like I said I have
more of these locks at home and I practice on them before I try and
pick the one that is on the tree.

[Exodus5000]

Well, picking the lock is an option but as you are a beginner it'd be best to take pictures of the locking mechanism so that the members on this site can properly identify what kind of lock it is (wafer or pin tumbler.)

Is this an instance where destructive entry such as a bolt cutters or drill would be proper?

[Exodus5000]

Ok now my ignorance is showing, I just read the last bits of your post about how you dont want to destroy your lock. You can certainly try picking it, attempt to rake it using a ball or double ball pick - which are designed for wafer locks.

[HoneyB]

Here is a link to rekeying the lock, it shows the inner workings of the
mechanism.


http://keying.masterlock.com/pdf/8491-0 ... 209-03.pdf

[HoneyB]

Here is another link of the lock istself from the master lock web site.


http://www.masterlock.com/promos/python ... lock.shtml

[stlbolt]

Ah it uses the same plates as my file cabinet lock... I used just a basic rake pick on it and opened in like 30 seconds, I would either try the elliptical ball pick or a regular rake pick (like I used)... With the other python locks first..

[Chrispy]

Use one of these:

This rake or this rake

With one of these to turn the plug:

Tension wrench

You'll basically just put the rake into the lock and wiggle it up and down whilst slowly pulling the pick out of the lock. Keep fiddling and you'll get it. Short of learning to pick properly, that's your best bet.