Padlock Pick

[2hammers]

Has anyone used a padlock pick?

the type used for lever type padlocks
(without a center post) Squire etc.

I done a quick search but nothing came up

We have loads of this type of lock at work,
and if people lose a key we generally just hammer
and screwdriver them open.

But in the interests of NDE
I would like to try and pick them.

I'm just wondering if they are any good,
does anybody use one regularly etc?

[bonez]

not used one myself!

but they are basically a smaller 2 in 1 pick so they should be
quite easy to use!

with good results i'd imagine.

[illusion]

It's basicaly a 2-in-1 pick, which simply overlifts the levers. The one I know of resembles the Marc Francis 'thumb curtain pick'

It won't do locks which have a central pin however.

Hmm... I'd imagine 2 pieces of piano wire would work well - standard 1 tension wire, 1 lever lifter.

Hmm... The ones I know of have 5 levers, and no anti-pick notches so just try overlifting using a 'J' wire.

[quacking_duck]

RB Medical do a set of 4 2in1s for the ERA Insurance, ERA big 6, Chubb 1K11 6 lever Battleship and 1K21 5 lever Cruiser (Although the Cruiser and the ERA ones have centre pins).


As for the Squire 4 lever Old English (220,440,660 etc) and similar, the 1K11 2 in 1 won't fit in the keyway. Use 2 wires and overlift as Illusion says. You'll have to give it some 'welly' with your overlifting wire in the Old English as lever springs are quite strong but no anti-picks.

You could possibly make a 2 in 1 overlifter pick to fit the keyway.

QD

[panalman]

Has anyone used a padlock pick?

the type used for lever type padlocks
(without a center post) Squire etc.

I done a quick search but nothing came up

We have loads of this type of lock at work,
and if people lose a key we generally just hammer
and screwdriver them open.

But in the interests of NDE
I would like to try and pick them.

I'm just wondering if they are any good,
does anybody use one regularly etc?

Much of what you have asked has been replied to I have used one in the past and they are nothing more than a scaled down 2 in 1 lever pick however take a look here http://www.locksmiths-tools.co.uk/acata ... Picks.html it may interest you.

[illusion]

That's the pick I was on about Panalman.. knew I'd seen it somewhere.

[2hammers]

Nice one guys that was the pick I meant. I ordered one and recieved it today and have used it on three locks at work today and it works well.

But then I got to thinking about the padlocks we have with posts in
them and I decided that I could make my own using an old key.

So I have and when I can borrow a digi camera I will post some
pictures.

[illusion]

I tried that idea a while ago, but I found that since the end of the key had a hollow it made it too weak to effectively use on locks... in fact the one I tried to make broke

The key I used in fairness can only be described as an arse-piece made of pot-metal, so a key made of better quailty metal might work.

I look forwards to hearing the sucess you have

[2hammers]

As promised some pictures of my new padlock pick for padlocks with posts in. I appologise in advance for the quality of the images.


http://i2.tinypic.com/rcsg10.jpg

http://i2.tinypic.com/rcsg9t.jpg

http://i2.tinypic.com/rcshlt.jpg

[illusion]

So how does the talon fare in terms of strength?

[2hammers]

Illusion,

I had already put the pictures on when I realised I had not said anything
about how it performed.

Well the only lock I could use that wasn't in use was a 4 lever ACE and the first time I tried, it it felt like it was going to snap but I think it was just the fact that the lock was old and a bit mucky. Anyway it worked okay.

I have since opened another 2 locks with it repeatedly and there doesn't seem to be any weakening of the talon or the shaft where I ground it away.

It gave me a right buzz when it worked and I am now looking for some other project to do instead of what I should be doing at work. lol

[illusion]

Certainly food for thought then.

The one I tried snapped straight away, and I have yet to find a cheap supply of pipe keys to try again. If I see some I'll give it a go.

[dazza]

HI


that home made pick looks great well done 2Hammers

I've just come across a old 5 lever era padlock with the pin in the middle its 17 years old to my knowledge. I know that someone mentioned the squire locks does the era work just the same i mean just has easy or is there any anti pick notches? I have never picked any lever locks but i have read other posts about how to pick levers. I just want to know would this be a good lock to start with. I know that era mortice locks are quite good i was just wondering if that applies to the padlock as-well?

[illusion]

If it's that old you should be more concerned of the mechanism or the levers being stiff.

Depending upon how much space there is between the centre post and the keyway you may find it easier or harder to pick.

Your best bet is some piano wire , and the 1 wire lifter, 1 wire tensioner approach.

I wouldn't mind seing a photo of this padlock anyway, could you get one to show?

If you like lever locks you might just want to buy a 3 lever mortice lock and have a play with it.

[cred]

hi,
if your working as a locksmith wanting one of these picks i would not bother too much if you come across padlocks with the pin in the middle of the keyway as the custmor will have lost the key,so you can just snap off the pin and away you go!
ray

p.s thinking of getting 1 myself cheaper than buying all the different makes for £50.00 +