Lock Wearing out

[dschindler]

Recently, i've been interested in lockpicking so i went out and bought myself a Master 140 and a 5piece kit from southord. While the southord kit was shipping, i tried to pick the masterlock with homemade tools(tension wrench and half-dimond pick). it had origonally taken me about 10 or 15 mins to pick the lock and after experimenting with different shaped paperclips to pick with and using wd40, i seemed to find a "sweet spot" when i manipulated the 2nd and third pins in a certain way, and it very suddenly became extreamly easy to pick. i had also used this lock to practice bumping on if this makes any difference , but only for like a day. is this the lock wearing, an especially good tool shape, or me getting better?

Here is a video of how easy this lock has become to pick:

http://www.davidmschindler.com/masterlock140.mov

[melvin2001]

yeah locks do change after awile depending on what you do to them, but i doubt this is the case here. most likely it is pinned in such a way that what you are doing just so happens to open this particular lock easily. if you had the same lock just pinned differently the same thing may not happen.

that being said you are still picking a masterlock... not exactly a high security lock or anything. maybe its time to go grab a deadbolt and try your hand at that!

[bumpit]

Ya sometimes the picks almost act as keys with the perfect positioning.

[melvin2001]

I hate double posting but i just noticed this is your first post.

Welcome to the site and good job on being able to even pick a masterlock. Gotta walk before you can run. you also seem to know the basics without asking every little question and you bought a lock just for practice... all good signs.

[Bud Wiser]

Your video did not work when I tried it. I love the Master 140! That is a great practice lock to get use to spools. Melvin is 100% correct! It all depends on the pin lay out, hi/lo's. I have several 140's! And also 141, and 142's. Depending on the key cut, some locks can be popped open by simply knowing where that "sweet spot" is. On other locks of the same model, not so easy. But none of these locks are too difficult and make great practice locks. I've read some people get stuck on these locks. You need a small hook, tension. Pick should be on the thin side. Then they are easier.

Here is another really good lock to practice spool pins on, Craftsman 2 in. Brass Padlock, p/n 958682. What makes this lock so much fun is that it also has a restricted keyway too!

Next would be the Craftsman 2-3/8 Brass p/n 958706, spools + mushroom + restricted keyway!

Both fun locks and can be found at Sears.

[dschindler]

budweiser-after the 2 3/8, what do you think te next step would be?

The video should work, sorry if it doesn't, if it still doesn't, click the link in my signature and then go to the appropriate button on the left.

Thanks guys for all your feedback, keep it coming, this is great!

[Bud Wiser]

I can't get any of your quicktime movies to work, I get the broken image icon may be it's my quicktime.

Any way I would go to Walmart next and pick up some Brinks locks!

the round disket R70
Shrouded
they also have a laminated lock that looks like a master but it is NOT a master! It is very good quality and good challenge. Has security pins.
and any of the brinks brass locks are also good too.

Brinks is a respected brand.

If you can also get a Schlage deadbolt, that's a lot of fun too! I'd skip the kwiksets as they will be way too easy for you.

Next I would go to ebay and look around for Best, Yale, and Medeco locks. Also hard are American Locks, Seargents, and Russwin.

I'm sure others can suggest some more too!

Good luck and welcome to LP101!

[Shrub]

It works for me or at least the first few seconds did before i closed the window again,