Unusually difficult padlock?

[spring]

I'm relatively new to lockpicking, and my friend gave me three old padlocks to practice on (all generic no-names, with no identifying information on them). The first two I can get extremely easily, usually 5-10 seconds with raking or 30 seconds setting pin-by-pin. The third lock's giving me trouble though, and I think it's because of the way the pins are set- looking at the key, the second pin notch is ground all the way down to the little squiggly bit that guides the key in. It looks so deep that I think that pin is automatically set, but the problem is that I can't get to the pins behind it without moving it up a bit past the shear line . I've sketched it out in ASCII:

Code: Select all

 OOOOOO
OOOOOOOOO  __
OOOOOOOOOO/  \__    __
OOOOOOOOO       \__/  \
OOOOOOOOO_____________/
 OOOOOO

Anyone have any tips for picking something like this?

[devnill]

Dont worry about it going above the shear line if the pin behind it isnt set. just make sure you use the right amount of tension, and start by finding the pin that is binding first.
The lock may be too difficult to pick right away, or dirty. if thats the case, try lubrication it with a petrolium free lubricant (wd40 is bad news etc...)


have fun and good luck!

[ndgreen]

Spring,

What you describibg is referred to as a high-low cut. They can cause problems, because like you said it is difficult to manipulate the back pin without moving the 'deep' pin. Also, it is highly unlikely that the pin would automatically be at the shear line, otherwise there wouldn't be a point in the pin being there!

Best advice I can offer is to try to keep the handle of the pick down when you lift, to minimise interference. Or get a decent sized hook (if the keyway will allow this), which may also help.

N.

[skold]

HPC 2000series deep hook is my favourite tool for these bitchy combinations.

Next would be the good ol' peterson reach.

[Jason13]

Yup same problem with me the front bottom pin is so big by the time i put tension in theres no way of geting to back pins. Usally i have a few of my own wrenchs witch i made with very small tips so it fits nicely in the top of plug.