Cylinder "Jams" Up—Why?

[rikki]

Hello,

On most locks that I pick, the cylinder starts to turn and everything seems to be great. However, when it turns 180 degrees, it mostly jams up and won't budge again. Every time I overcome it by sheer force (I insert the tip of a blank key and turn it; or I press hard against the pins and apply great force on the tension wrench) which does not feel right at all. It happens on 90% of locks that I try to pick. What causes the cylinder to lock up after being turned halfway? How do I get around this without damaging the lock?

Yesterday the cylinder only turned 90 and jammed, then it jammed again at the 180 mark. I am very baffled.

The locks are very standard 5-pin tumblers of various make. I tried searching in the forums, but I am afraid I couldn't quite word my search to get a meaningful result.

Thank you!

[Shrub]

The top pins arenow being pushed out by the springs into the bottom of the keyway when you get to 180',

To continue you simply insert your pick upside down and push all the pins in a bit to continue to turn the plug,

When it sticks at 90' i am not sure as it would be dependant on the lock but normally this shouldnt happen but its possable you have a ward or grove etc in there thats causeing this,

[rikki]

The top pins arenow being pushed out by the springs into the bottom of the keyway when you get to 180',

By top pins do you mean the stubs of the pins that are not being turned with the cylinder?

To continue you simply insert your pick upside down and push all the pins in a bit to continue to turn the plug,

Upside down — flat side against the stubs of the pins being pushed out into the keyway?

Thanks for the answers, Shrub

[andreasm]

By top pins do you mean the stubs of the pins that are not being turned with the cylinder?

Yep, those between the key pins and the springs.

'Top' ..........'Bottom'
|\/\/\/\/| |XX| |XX)
Spring, Top and Key pin

Upside down — flat side against the stubs of the pins being pushed out into the keyway?

Thanks for the answers, Shrub

Right, so they don't get stuck in the bottom of the keyway.

[rikki]

Thank you! Roofs of buildings shall succumb to me now!

[Shrub]

I wish you had said what it was for before i answered so we could ban you,

Brteaking and entering is NOT what we are about, i suggest you cease or leave here as we wont help you commit crime,

[jabial]

You can still ban him. I suggest somebody does.