Keeping pins organized

[Gordon Airporte]

I can't remember whether this has been suggested before, seems like it probably has been (couldn't find anything via Search). A weekly pill box organizer does a great job of keeping pin stacks organized when you're breaking down a lock. I found this one, but I suspect that they could be available for free at the pharmacist's, given that they can be labeled for advertising. Or hit up an elderly relative :-/



You could stick numbers over the days of the week if you really wanted to.

[Jason13]

Nice

[Octillion]

That's exactly what I use if I'm pulling a lock apart and need to keep the pins and springs from getting lost. I couldn't think of a better way.

[Gundanium]

You could use little ziplock bags too probably, tack them to a cork board or something, but that looks better what you have there.

[Chucklz]

As Octillion knows from our last meeting,

A good way to keep pins organized when pulling apart an individual lock is to use a piece of half corrugated cardboard. This is usually used to wrap fragile things, but makes an amazing pin sorting tray, especially with master keyed locks.

When I dissasemble an old lock for parts, or just dont have the time to repair a lock at the moment, I through all the bits including the key, into an old large pill bottle. Keeps everything together, and I can just stack them up over time.

Small pill bottles are great for keeping assorted screws/tailpieces as well.

[vector40]

These http://countycomm.com/smallgreenbox.htm work great for bits and pieces as well. (I keep my curved shims in one, as well as some odds and ends -- used springs and such.)

[zeke79]

A bit off topic, but those pins appear to be from either an ASSA Twin series or a Scorpion CX5. Am I right ?

[Gordon Airporte]

Good eye Zeke, you spotted my drive-by. Yes, they're ASSA twin spools. I decided it's time to move up to something with a sidebar. But holy ^&*^* it's like working on the bomb squad getting these things apart and back together :-p .

Back on topic though. The corrugated cardboard is such a good idea. Easier to get at the pins with your fingers if you're putting everything right back together. I've just been using a lid from a frozen orange juice can. That's not super clever, but it works.
I recall seeing a tray made especially for this in a picture somewhere.... Any of the professoinals know what I'm talking about?

[Omikron]

I use this: http://www.lockpicks.com/index.asp?Page ... ProdID=534

It may not be homemade, but I love it.