Plug turned but door still locked???

[mickeydtx]

I have just made my first bit of progress. I was so excited when the plug finally turned--was able to do it twice! But the doorknob still wouldn't turn. What did I do wrong? This is a grade 3 Kwikset keyed lock.

[CapnCurry]

There are two possibilities that come to mind: if the plug turned a little bit (say, 20 degrees or so), but not as much as when you use a key, you've got some false-set security pins. A search on picking security or spool pins will turn up lots of posts on this subject.

Second possibility, and the one I'm thinking is more likely, is that you've picked the lock toward the "locked" position. Try picking the other way - i.e., if you've been going clockwise, try counterclockwise and see if that helps.

Buena suerte!

[mickeydtx]

I will try these things. It turned 90 degrees. I thought the plug only turns one way? Is that true?

[pinsetter]

some locks turn both ways, but only unlock in one direction. I believe Kwikset unlocks by turning CCW.

When you see a tool called a "plug spinner", this is what they are for. When you pick a lock in the wrong direction, you can insert the plug spinner and rapidly spin the plug back the other direction so fast that it passes the shearline before the pins can re-enter the plug, and this unlocks the door.

And if your plug turned 90 degrees, you did definately pick it in the wrong direction.

[Mutzy]

i think capncurry got it - to lock the knobset, you turn the key to one side (usually 90 degrees). To unlock the lock, you turn the key in the other direction. (another 90 degrees)

Lock plugs can spin one way, or both ways, depending on the way the lock works.

Hope this helps.

[mickeydtx]

You guys are great! That did the trick.

[raimundo]

but do you need different plug spinners for CW and CCW ?

[mickeydtx]

I'm a newbie. What's a plug spinner?

[Jason13]

A plug spinner is something you use if you pick the lock in the wrong direction so you insert plug spinner and it spins the plug in the other way but so fast that the lock wont re-lock its self.


The whole point it was made was to stop people having to re-pick a lock.

[pinsetter]

most commercial plug spinners can be "wound" either direction, so they will work for both CW & CCW rotation.

They're VERY handy as some locks pick much easier in the wrong direction.

[paul1982]

i would be lost without my plug spinner very valuable tool

[grim]

i would be lost without my plug spinner very valuable tool

i'll second the sentiment. plug spinners rock! there have been a number of locks i've worked on that simply would not let me pick them in the proper direction, but were a snap to pick "backwards".

as soon as you can afford a plug spinner (or a mousetrap [http://www.lockpicking101.com/viewtopic.php?t=9096] ) make sure you have one of these gems in your arsenal.