Sticky/Rust Pins

[cigma42]

So I was going back to my old MasterLock #3 in an attempt to feel better about myself (picking earlier that day had gotten frustrating). And doesn't it figure, the lock that practically picked itself, is now one of the toughest locks I've got.

Now I've done plenty of searching and I've found how to lubricate the pins when I want to. But until then, this looks like a fun challenege.

Does anyone have any tips for dealing with sticky/rusty pins?

Problems I'm encountering:
1. When the pins stick, it's very difficult to tell the difference between binding and just being sticky.
2. Once I overcome the initial stick of a pin (anything above it's lowest point), I'm pushing way to hard upwards and I might be oversetting the pins.
3. Basically, everything gives a lot more resistance, at first. But I'm never sure whether I've (over/under) set any pins because it's just much harder to feel what's going on in there.

Any tips or experience with sticky pins? Or is this just one of those situations that's pretty much hopeless to feel what's going on in there? Or is it one of those practice, practice, practice and I'll learn how a sticky lock behaves?

[unbreakable]

So I was going back to my old MasterLock #3 in an attempt to feel better about myself (picking earlier that day had gotten frustrating). And doesn't it figure, the lock that practically picked itself, is now one of the toughest locks I've got.

Now I've done plenty of searching and I've found how to lubricate the pins when I want to. But until then, this looks like a fun challenege.

Does anyone have any tips for dealing with sticky/rusty pins?

Problems I'm encountering:
1. When the pins stick, it's very difficult to tell the difference between binding and just being sticky.
2. Once I overcome the initial stick of a pin (anything above it's lowest point), I'm pushing way to hard upwards and I might be oversetting the pins.
3. Basically, everything gives a lot more resistance, at first. But I'm never sure whether I've (over/under) set any pins because it's just much harder to feel what's going on in there.

Any tips or experience with sticky pins? Or is this just one of those situations that's pretty much hopeless to feel what's going on in there? Or is it one of those practice, practice, practice and I'll learn how a sticky lock behaves?

Personally I dont know about learning how a sticky lock behaves, if I have a sitcky lock I simply clean and lubricate it.

If it's as sticky as you say, I think your best bet would be to clean and lubricate it, unless you like the challenge

To clean I flush with kerosene if I have it, and if not I use WD 40. If you can clean each individual pin, work the pins a bit while cleaning (insert key, etc)

Then I lubricate it with ordinary motor oil.
Hey, Its the best I got!!

This is just what I do, no gurantees but it works for me

[Krypos]

i clean but dont lubricate, cuz these are my practice locks, not a lock in use.

i recently came into some locks that were needing to be cleaned, badly. so i disassembled them, removed the pins springs, etc, so it is all in seperate pieces, and for the pins i just rubbed them in my fingers, this cleaned all the grease, etc off them and the springs i just kinda poked with a toothpick to clear those out.

as for the pinstacks, those were horrid, so i took a q-tip, yanked off a bunch of the cotton, tossed the cotton and then had a slim q-tip that i inserted into the pinstacks like a muzzle loader gun. did that to both the plug and the shell. and i also wiped out the shell-hole, where the plug fits in.

most of my locks are pretty clean now. another way is with fingernail polish remover from what i hear, although i havent tried that yet as thats a harsh chemical.

[bpc293]

i dont know. everyone can tell you how to lubricate them. i'v been meaning to post about weak and tense springs. but i think if someone thought the pins where sticking they would first try to fix that. clean with spray brake cleaner and then lubercate it with a silacone spray and slide a uncut key in and out to raise the pins all the way up and down. do it agian and if it doesnt loosen them up you might have a broken spring or something. i know your trying to learn the feel of a stuck pin. but im not sure its possible. learn the feel of some security pins.

[!*AMP*!]

I've found that what bpc does is the best and easist way. The uncut key helps get the spray in there good around the pins, and is easier than having to take apart. But if it is too dirty, well, then you're just going to have to take apart, hehe.

[Shrub]

Be careful useing a blank though as you may overlift a stack too high, make sure its a sticky pin and not the limit of the stack,

With the advent of bumpkeys i would suggest maybe trying to bump it with lots of lube but by bump i dont mean to open the lock but to get the pins bouncing, maybe a 555 key would be best instead of a 999 key,

Personally i have a manual pickgun that its only use is for loosening off sticky locks before picking them but that of course is while on a job, if a practise lock i wouldnt even consider it, i would strip the lock before i did anything,

[bpc293]

i didn't know an uncut key could over lift a stack. is this common with most locks or does it happen rarly.

i think cigma42 wanted the pins to stay that way. can you learn to work with sticky pins.

[Shrub]

Well if you have a 9 cut in a lock and you force a 0 cut key in if it will go in then the spring will be forced to a very small size and its likely you will damage it,

In most cases it should be fine but just be careful on some locks especially a stiff one as you may not know if you are forcing a sticky pin or an overlifted stack, on a clean lock its easy to spot,

Theres no reason to pick a lock for fun or practise with faulty pins,

[cigma42]

Wow. First off, you guys are amazing. My internet goes down for about a day. It comes back and there are already >5 responces. Most of what you guys said was good info about cleaning that I wasn't able to find in my first couple searches.

But bpc is right. I'm looking for pointers on actually picking a lock with sticky pins. If there are any sublties to look for between sticking pins and binding pins. If anyone has actually picked a lock with sticky pins successfully and whether it was just luck or if they learned anything in the process that might help me now.

And as for security pins. I'm getting better with spools. With my ML#3 the way it is, I've been calling up my ML #140 for a good time.

[bpc293]

what shrub said is correct why bother. there must be a reason why you want to try and get good at sticky pins? before you start picking insert the pick with out the wrench and feel the pins. one by one push up on them and lower them. with no tension on them you will feel if there sticking and how much force the spring has. all of them should feel about the same. then when you start picking you will have a feel for whats in there.

[cigma42]

Thanks, I'll give it a go and just spend more time getting to know the pins.

The main reason for my curiosity is a combination of A) laziness: I can't run out and get the proper cleaning supplies until this weekend and B) indignance that I can't open my ML#3 until then (part of me keeps saying: "oh, come on. It's a #3!")

[bpc293]

it's not a bad thing to do before picking any lock really.