Keyway damage

[IceMouse]

I've noticed recently that the pair of locks I've been practicing with (Both crappy Master padlocks) have begun to noticeably deform around the keyway, especially where I use my bobbypin torque wrenches. This has caused them to slip often when I apply pressure. Also, I've noticed a bronze-colored residue on my picks after inserting and removing that wipes off easily. My question is: Are these two things to be expected? Is there a way to prevent this damage? I assumed the deformation was a result of the poor quality of the "wrenches" I was using, and generally the ammount of wear and tear I've put the lock through in a short period of time.

[Shrub]

Not sure how or why a bobby pin is damageing your keyway unless its sharp or too short or your putting far too much pressure on them.

The residue is normal on worn locks as its just brass rubbing off the lock, do you rake a lot? if so its the pins wearing.

You may find the working keys are quite gritty now and maybe sooner rather than later stop working at all.

[CVScam]

I have a Master Lock 28 same as a long shank number 1 but with a removable cylinder and it uses a reg M1 blank. I had practiced picking it a lot and using way too much pressure I deformed the keyway (I though it used a special blank). The reg M1 blank wouldnt fit it anymore. Someone told me how to remove the cylinder and I was able use my micro files and fix the keyway.

[pinsetter]

Most of the damage to the ward in the bottom of the keyway can be prevented by placing a piece of wire made from a large paperclip (make sure you leave a handle on your wire so you can't lose it into the keyway) in the bottom ward groove. Then your torque wrench is pressing on the wire instead of crushing the ward. It is common to use too much pressure when you're new. This will help you save your keyways. Here are a couple of pics of what I'm talking about:

A pic of the wire (sorry it's a bad pic, but it's just wire ):
http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g47/p ... 8/wire.jpg

and a pic of it in the keyway:
http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g47/p ... inlock.jpg

I used this until I learned to apply tension correctly, and still do on locks with soft plugs.

[Jason13]

Its probaly the metal rubbing on the plug and after so many times of picking it the wrench wont catch the keyway.

Unless its a bigger one then it will start catching again.

[IceMouse]

Thanks for the advice. The first few times I opened the lock, I did learn that I was applying far too much pressure(As it could take several minutes to open the lot under the ammount I was applying as opposed to seconds with a lighter touch). I think Shrub may be correct in that the bobby pin is too short, and it doesn't often go all of the way back in the cylinder(The deformation is merely a bit of curvature along the ward - I think that's the proper term - which causes my pin to rotate itself instead of the entire cylinder when pressure is applied). I'll have to try using the paper clip in there, it sounds like just what my keyway needs

[Jason13]

Just to let you know,

1. Yes its cause you used alot of tension.

2. Its because your wrench isnt gripping rite so your rubbing away that keyway really badly after a while the thing wont even catch.


Like i said you will need a bigger wrench that fits perfect.

[vector40]

Haven't been bumping it, have you?

[IceMouse]

Alright, I'll have to get a wrench made out of something that is a bit larger so it fits better. And, no, haven't attempted bumping at all