Faultless? Hardly.

[Indecision]

Anyone else picked up a "Faultless" lock? It was the cheapest thing at Wal-Mart, so I figured it would be a good one to start with. Uses a Kwikset keyway.

The thing submits to scrubbing/raking in seconds, first of all. The tolerances are so bad that it's actually a challenge getting the pins to set sometimes, and other times it's a challenge to get them back down. The last pin (a #1) doesn't always like to go back into the keyway after it's locked. I rekeyed it with just that and the 4th pin, and picked it open a few times just by lifting the 4th. (It did this even before I took it apart, too. I could open it with the key, remove it, give a twist with my tension rod, and hear that last pin click back into place.)

I think I'm gonna look for a Schlage tomorrow, unless anyone's got a better suggestion?

[bprzybyl]

Schlage's are good. But if you're starting out, maybe not that good for you. If you're good, get one of the higher level schlage's. I've got a grade 1. It took me a little while to finally pick it, but it's a lot of fun. I've never tried any others but that one. But for starting out, get something without any security pins. I picked up a bunch of cheap padlocks at dollar stores (NON-Warded, or else you learn nothing about pin picking...duh). One was just as you said - a quick rake, and it's open, but it's wierd to single pin pick. but with ~$5, you can get a decent lock at walmart. For a real fun pick, get a brinks. The nice chrome shrouded padlock has 6 pins in it, with both spool and serrated pins. There's also a brass one that has security pins and such, but the keyway is really small, making it difficult to get tools in. I don't know of any masters which have security pins, but search on here. I remember someone saying like Master 140 something or other. Either way, walmart will have it.

Thanks,
Brooks

[Indecision]

Well, this Faultless is a $5 lock from Wal-Mart without any security pins. So I've already taken your suggestion, and it's exactly the lock I'm complaining about

For what it's worth, I do also have two Master padlocks. One (I'm not sure of the model, but it's small and has a plastic shroud over the body) is a 4-pin model with one spool pin, and I can pick it in under 10 seconds now. The other is made by Master but sold under the name "Fortress," and is a worse piece of junk than this Faultless. It's so poorly made, it's actually pretty hard to pick. I'm learning, though.

On the other hand, jumping into a 6-pin Brinks with spool and serrated pins in every position seems like it might be a bit much. It'll probably end up on the shelf next to the Medeco, for "later."

Is there anything you know of that's in between?

[NKT]

You could go for a better Kwikset. Practise on that for a bit, then take it apart and re-key it with the bits from your $5 lock so you have some harder pinnings, and carry on. Once you can do that with a high low high pin config, you will be ready to move up the tree.