American MS100...gave me a headache!

[DPthatsme]

I had this padlock from way back when I joined the army. A set of two were issued with two different keys. This lock had been giving me fits for the past year and remained the one in my collection that I just could not get open. So I did a little reasearch by dissecting one of the locks to see what I was up against. As you can see by the linked photos there were five serrated driver pins, with four of the five top pins spooled. (oh by the way ignore the screw that appears in the picture, it was from somthing else, don't know how it got there!) Anyway, the biggest problem that I had was not being able to "feel" if I was setting any of the pins. I finally found that if I put pressure on the shakle tward the lock body it would release the spring pressure on the dog and the plug, giving a much better feel for the pins. Once I did that I had a better shot at getting it. This lock is a key retaining lock. The key can't be removed untill the lock is locked. My big question is: Why five serrated driver pins, four of five top pins spooled on a lock that has a shakle less than 1/4" thick, and worth $12. Seems like overengineering to me.
DP
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i267/ ... 44ffe5.jpg
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i267/ ... 355507.jpg
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i267/ ... 76acd6.jpg
http://s74.photobucket.com/albums/i267/ ... 6c33ab.flv

[eric343]

American locks are notorious for being a PITA to pick. They're quite well made, and they don't spare the security features. No, I don't know why they use security pins in what seems to be a physically weak lock -- maybe to prevent surreptitious bypass?

[LockNewbie21]

Why five serrated driver pins, four of five top pins spooled on a lock that has a shakle less than 1/4" thick, and worth $12. Seems like overengineering to me.

Its basically they want to make a name there hard to pick such and such by those who know how, haha to add to that i bought 2 for a dollar brass locks at pep boys the little suitcase ones, you know those little displays with tools and such.. os thought what the hell eh? so i get home and the one jams i ge tthe other open. low and behold out of three pins two were spools... i dont really under stand it, it seem like just boasting of there success, but really any lock even master for that fact would put say 5 cents ? more into there lock design there effeiceinty would propobly go up 50 %, like making tighter tollerences and adding such pins and better warding, there big becuase there cheap, as american medeco are big becuse there just plain good, but instead ofkeepin the spare change they throw it right back in (medeco in particular) adding all types of goodies.. who profits more msater or medeco? i have no clue or care i jsut pick um.. But to answer in a nutshell, some is bragging and over endulging, some is well enginiered designs that the shear number of security pins tops the cake, but i still agree not a S.W.A.T padlock buster and a sledge couldnt handle.


Andy

[eric343]

Ditto. I was once called on to open a cabinet here at school. Bottom lock? No problem. Top lock? Spent forty minutes and gave up. (the whole way high up part didn't help)

Seemed like maybe five pins at the most, but lots of security pins towards the back. Nasty ones- coulda been serrated.

[LockNewbie21]

I hear you buddy 100% that was my major problem with the 6 pin brinks shoulded padlock, SOOO many security pins, meaning each one properly set the more radical the flase set gets and the more you have to negitivley rotate the plug to set that last security pin, its such a fine line that most of the time you give to much pressure on the pin, or to lees pressure on the cylinder and the lock resest and back tosquare one. But i pracitced none stop on that lock with out ever looking at the hey cuz they come with this stupid blue cover over the keys so you can't even see the depth, so eventually oyu get the hang of it and i can crack all of mine in one minute good 3 tries= about 5 minutes worst. I think i could maybe pop an american lock i would love to try but i refuse to boast becuase odds are as locks tend to do with me they make me look like a bilnd man at a disco just dumb... anyway the reason i think i might do a little better than most when first picking it up is the brink shrouded lock have striking resembling pins as americans do.. but then theres that might make an american harder liek tollerences i will probobly buy one of ebay and have a go, like i said i think i am ready for one.. but i will probobly made a fool for atleast the first 20-50 tries. Haha i really jumped the gun when i bought a biaxle on ebay for a great price, opened it once becuase my wrench slipped i accidentally bumped my angled half diamond and it opened since then, i feel i am doing good just setting 3 pins that havent even engaged the side bar.. i hate those locks... sorry bud kinda got off topic to much coffee ehh well i am off to work.



Andy


Andy

[DPthatsme]

Thanks for replying to my post guys. I guess it's stuff like this that keeps us coming back for more.........now for my Best IC..............

[Jason13]

Wow that looks hard but Well done!

[pinsetter]

just a clarification to the terminology of original poster:

The top pins are the driver pins, so in that lock you have spooled drivers and serrated key pins.

That looks much similar to a brinks shrouded lock, except the brinks have 6 pins instead of 5. Still, it is easy to see why American locks have such a reputation for being hard to pick. Thanks much for the pictures, they always say much more than can be conveyed with words.

[LockNewbie21]

Good luck with the best.. is it? there no biggie look up for the demnsions on the tension tool, there tough but the tool helps, i got lucky at the hospital my pops works they put new best in to replace the old master key system in his department, he was a chum and picked up one for me, took me a good day or two to figure out the feel but after maybe three hours on and off i got it.. not consistant though but there fun



Andy

[DPthatsme]

The top pins are the driver pins, so in that lock you have spooled drivers and serrated key pins.

You are so right!

Andy, I just got done making the tension tool for the Best and can't wait to try it out. I will see how it goes.

DP