Helping Hand brand padlocks

[lockedin]

I consider myself an intermediate lock picker able to pick most standard locks without extremely high tolerances or numerous security pins. This is why I thought that these Helping Hand brand padlocks found at grocery stores and discount places would be a snap. When I couldn't pick my roommate's consistently, I thought it might have been that one lock. After I went out to get another one, I discovered that it was just as annoying. Has anyone had a similar experience with this lock? Is there something I'm missing? The lock is so generic it just seems wrong. They are master knockoffs with 4 pins and an m1 keyway. Here is a pic:

[LockNewbie21]

There ability to be so crappy makes them umm pickproof? or very ahrd to pick, i have one just like it, the cylinder is so sloppy its hard to pcik

[lockedin]

That better be the reason. Better that, than a re-evaluation of my abilities.

[pinsetter]

I too have a no name brand of lock that I still haven't been able to pick. I can pick my Brinks R70 and Brinks Shrouded padlock, but that no name is so sloppy (the cylinder turns about 15-20 degrees when you apply tension, before you begin trying to pick) that it might as well be full of spool pins. It isn't your ability, but I've found that where picking is concerned, sometimes cheap locks end up being high security unintentionally.
I hope you find the luck to open it. If you do, send some of it my way so I can open this piece of garbage I have!

[Blink]

I have a Master No. 5, and the cylinder is incredibly sloppy, I mean, it's so sloppy it's hard to get the key to work, you have to put it in, and turn, while pushing up, and moving around, then repeat about 10 times, and voila, she's open .

[gimliisme]

i have those but mine are stupidly easy to open. slip a hook to the back and push up the back pin and mine opens! seriously mine can be opened with a slight nudge with my pick.

[jimb]

i have those but mine are stupidly easy to open. slip a hook to the back and push up the back pin and mine opens! seriously mine can be opened with a slight nudge with my pick.

Can you post a picture of the key?

I think I also have this lock and if it is the same one there is a bypass to open it. I posted a video on it about a week ago. I would rate mine as far as single pin picking a little tougher than most Master locks.

[lockedin]

Hey Jimb, can you post a link to the video?

[illusion]

I did this bypass recently on my cheapo copy of the Master (aren't cheapo and Master synonymous? lol) cIt worked really fast. Makes me wonder why the back of the plug isn't closed...

[vector40]

The back of the plug is open in most locks. And there are more than a few bypasses taking advantage of it. I too wonder why they aren't blocked more, though I'm sure it comes down to $ again.

The advantage to a closed keyway, actually, is that you know where the back of it is -- no worry about getting a pick needle blocked or anything.

[jimb]

Hey Jimb, can you post a link to the video?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qep6cReOgU

[Raccoon]

The method of bypass demonstrated in that video-- using a blade to manipulate the bolt behind the cylinder-- is that what people are talking about with "picking a single pin to open"? I hear this a lot with cheap locks, that you only have to pick a single pin and it pops open. I can't imagine a cylinder that disregards its other pin-stacks, so seriously, is this bypass what they're describing?

[NKT]

No, I don't think so. I've got a crappy padlock that pops open with a single pin being picked, effectively, but you still have to turn the plug. That video shows a bypass, as the shackle just pops open right away.

[cracksman]

The lock with the purple band looks like the first and fourth pins sit at or almost at the sheer line, the blue looks like the fourth is. Is it possible that the springs are so shabby that when you first place tension (depending how you hold the lock) that your actually catching the tip of one of the pins past the sheer line? Seems to me that the purple one should only need to have 2 and 3 tapped, try picking it with the back of a pick or another tension wrench. I had a similiar problem with a master no. 5, turns out I was just overthinking it.

[jamiemac2005]

umm.... i've got one of those the main problem i had was with too much or too little pressure.. i learned a tecknique of stating by pushing all the pins upwards and then applying tension, because the locks are crap most of the pins end up at the sheer line and i ended up with 1 or 2 pins left to pick.... i've found raking or scrubbing sumtimes works too.....