Shimming commercial padlocks (interchangeable) core

[arorra500]

Hey guys,

I have seen many threads on this site talking about how a person can only shim a smaller, or less secure padlock. I beg to differ, on most of the padlocks I have deal with I have been able to not only pick, but shim them.

Of course I was not able to do it with the beer can shims, but instead I fashioned a set of shims out of motor shims used to align a motor. I work as a security, phone specialist at a hospital, so supplies and machining equipment is readily available.

Heres how I did it.......

First, I took two motor shims, just thin enough to slide between the shackle and the body of the lock. Here is a image of what I am talking about...



Then along the top section I cut shape with a band saw we have at work.

I took a acetylene torch and formed the shim (being careful not to ruin the integratie of the metal.) I made two of them, because I notice there was a notch on each side of the shackle.

all I had to do was insert the shims (one on each side) and it popped open.

This was not a cheap lock. I don't remember the name of it, but it has an interchangeable core. It uses a 6 pin key, and right now, a corbin russwin core.

Comments are welcome.......

Thanks
arorra500

[UWSDWF]

excellent first post

throw a post int the introduction and read up on picking

we do talk about shims but we are dedicated pickers

you get a bigger rush picking

[arorra500]

I do pick, I also impression, I try to do it all. I am working on this new type of pin shimming. I would much rather pick, but I like to learn it all..

[UWSDWF]

cool

[arorra500]

I am a locksmith...... the hospital sent me to school for it...... lol

[Shrub]

A decent padlock can not be shimmed, they use balls to lock and these balls are moved bu a cam inside, the cam being turned stops the balls retracting so you can try all you want and you will never move those balls,

Im sorry to say but you formed the shims with a torch?? im not calling you a down right lier but i am saying i am very sceptical you did that or at least you did it and still had somthing useable at the end of it,

I guess you could be in the US and that over there you for some reason have very small cutting torches but i doubt it,

You shim also seems to be of the sape that the part which would move the dog is actually cut away

I need to see a proper picture of these shims and a video of them working i think,

Teach me

[arorra500]

I think you should probably read the text again, I said I used the torch to heat up the metal, so that it was easier to bend the shit....... I used a metal cutting band saw to cut them to shape..... You do know, when you heat metal it becomes more mailable right???? Yes, there are several decent locks that are not able to be shimmed, BUT this one was. I will post pictures as soon as I can.... All of my lock picking equipment is at work. It is in my opinion that you read the text a couple of times before you speak. Thanks for your comments.

[Shrub]

Comments are welcome.......

I didnt realise that said comments arent welcome,

So metal goes softer when you heat it? thanks for the metal working lesson i would have never known,

I still fail to see hoew your shim works with the centre section cut out although i do see where i made my simple mistake,

Ps heating metal does alter the 'integratie' of it or else it would have been more pointless doing it in the first place,

[Gordon Airporte]

I suppose there isn't much chance that motor shims are less expensive than actual comercial padlock shims. And then there's the effort needed to get them into shape (whatever that shape might be.) Still, they're bound to be better steel than beer cans, and DIY is part of the hobby.
Regarding decent locks though, I think if they use a mechanism that can be shimmed like this then they automatically aren't all that great. Like Shrub said, ball locking mechanisms are common enough, and they can't be shimmed.

[carse]

tell me ,arorra 500
are your shim upside down in the picture,if you are using the top piece then it make sense for the bottom pieces to go around the closed shackle.in our country i havent seen much of the locks using the ball
type to secure the locking bolt. they are very expensive, most popular is the VIRO; TRI-CIRCLE;ABUS;CISA,and a lot of products of china,
i am also working in avery large hospital and staff are daily requesting their padlocks to their lockers to be cut
we are using a meter long bolt cutter for that purpise
i do keep the cut off locks to practice at home
as a security supervisor ,using my picks would send me direct to prison
if i dare using it in my work situation ,
for the plus 2000 doors we are using a single master key wich i carry for the shift to use in case of emergency.

sorry a bit off your topic
fanie

[Varjeal]

I too am going to have to reserve judgement for a video example in the use of these shims. I'm trying to imagine how any quality lock using double ball locking can be shimmed open....guess we'll have to wait and see.

[LockNewbie21]

I am a locksmith...... the hospital sent me to school for it...... lol

Cheers mate, thats my fallback, my pops works as a data coms tech, and said there is a lockie department.


Cool to see others are in that deal to.

[GarythePick]

arorra500,
I have used the shims you have pictured to open many locks. I didn't know they were motor shims until now. I got mine from a machine repairman at work. I ask for some shim stock and he had them in a bread pan of used shims. I believe I used a thinner thickness than you have pictured. It's been a while since I used them. After seeing how well they worked I decided on buying a set of commercial lock shims which turned out to be much more durable and the wings are better to press on with your fingers. Your picture is confusing being upside down. It looks like a good design though. I used tin snips to craft mine. In my experience with shims there's many more locks that can't be shimmed than can, but they are another useful tool. I haven't had much luck shimming the double ball bearing-shackle locks but you can't always go by the lock price or name brand. I have been able to shim many name brand locks........Gary

[LockNewbie21]

I think its Bull sh*t, honestly... There is not apossible way to retract a ball bearing into the unrtracted cam. Maybe arua's right and Newton and Instein were idiots?

And don;t be a smart ars with shrub.. i read your reply. He was skeptical as i believe its bull sh*t. Honestly, if someone is giving an honest opinion.. especially when you have no proof, treat them with respect for even responding. (thinks of post-FU past )

Seriously bro chill out and just post a video.

[unbreakable]

This seems kinda like the guy who told us he opened the abloy classic two ways, one of which involved a magnet

I dont think we ever got a video or even explanation out of him.


But maybe this will be different