Yale X5 6 pin High Performance Cylinder - Anti Pick

[insomniac]

Hi Guys,

Just purchased this new lock to practice picking on; it's the Yale X5 6 pin High Performance Cylinder. It says on the packaging:

Front Door X5 Cylinder.
Brass P-X52KP-PB.
6 Pin High Performance Cylinder.
Ultimate Key Security (100,000 Key Combinations).
Anti Pick/Anti Drill.
Replacement X-TECH Cylinder.
Exceeds European Security Grade 5 BS EN1303:1998.

I haven't managed to pick this lock yet although I have managed to seat some of the pins but to be honest it's a little frustrating.
Can this lock be picked?
Thanks Guys,
Insomniac.

[What]

Can this lock be picked?

yes,

but first of all, what methods have you been trying?

[insomniac]

I've been using the hook pick on this lock to try and seat one pin at a time.

[devildog]

I keep hearing about this thing but don't know what makes it so special. Would anyone like to take a few pictures (I've never seen it) and just explain what's so great about this thing? It'd be much appreciated.

[insomniac]

Hi,

It looks like a standard brass Yale lock on the outside, the type with the round face plate, nothing special. Not sure what it looks like inside though.
Insomniac.

[mattc]

Some kind soul has taken one apart and posted some pictures:

http://www.lockpicking101.com/viewtopic.php?t=2357&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=yale+x5&start=45

I seem to remember a more detailed thread about dismantling one, but I can't find it. On a side note, I did manage to bump mine after filing one of the supplied keys down, but only did it once

[EvoRed]

The Wendt gun will pick 'em.

[insomniac]

Hi EvoRed,

Where can I get the Wendt gun from; would it be possible to provide me with a link?
Thanks,
Insomniac.

[devildog]

Thanks. So did we ever determine if the 'metal thingy' at the bottom of the keyway was of any importance or not? Seems its tough to pick just because of the weird spools and high/low pinning.

[Keyring]

The metal thingy is just a plate that holds the pins in. Not relevant.

As for picking... Shrub says he can do it by hand in less than 10 minutes. I've been trying by adding one pin at a time, and got up to 5 pins so far, so I think I would agree. Like any lock it's difficult till you've done it once.

The thing that makes it tricky in my opinion is the 4 security pins, which are not spools, but have three shallow grooves. You basically have to pick past each of these grooves, and the barrel rotation is not as defined as with spools.

Seriously, the one pin, two pin etc method is very good for getting the feel of these pins.

[greyman]

OK, I admit I haven't tried to pick one and having seen the pictures I don't think I'd bother buying one, but...

Is this really the best that Yale can do??? They have been in business since 1868 for chrissakes. This looks like a really lame attempt to beef up the rather outdated Yale 5 pin cylinder by adding some drill protection. My vote is with German pin tumbler locks DOM, EVVA etc.

How much are they charging for one of these rim cylinders?

[ju_]

Can this lock be picked?

YES

As for picking... Shrub says he can do it by hand in less than 10 minutes. I've been trying by adding one pin at a time, and got up to 5 pins so far, so I think I would agree. Like any lock it's difficult till you've done it once.

Seriously, the one pin, two pin etc method is very good for getting the feel of these pins.

I can usually single pick in less than 20 mins. Double Shrub time, but he does it for a living (lucky sod )

Southord LAT-17 gun will get them open 1 in 3 attempts with the setting just under max and bouncing the tension a little

[Shrub]

They arent anything special and yes they are very pickable if you take your time, 5 mins is around average for me but on some pin combinations it can more it can be less.

The lock is pretty much the same price as the normal cylinder to buy wholesale.

Theres nothing very special about them, they are made more accuritley which makes picking a bit more precise but its the same as everything, get used to it and your fine.

The security pins can quite often be overlifted then dropped down to shearline but other than tat its the standard, set the pin, if the plug rocks when you further try to move the pin youve set it falsely.

Photobucket will now host 60 second videos on the free acounts and 3 mins on the paid up ones which im presently considering so if i go down that route i shall do you a video.

Pickguns eat these up in less than a minute and on some pin configerations seconds, manual pickguns a slight bit longer.

The cylinder security in this country is more against drilling and brute force attacks as picking them is so very rare, if the lock cant be drilled easily, snapped, or if the latch mechs its working kicked in as easily then its classed as a good lock system.