yale pro-key 7 pin

[cjames73]

yale pro-key oval


the main pinstack including master pins.



the 7th pin.
the pin on the back of the key pushes the sprung pin back into the casing of the lock.

[cjames73]

i was trying to pick this lock on and off for nearly a week before i realised about the 7th pin! i wondered why i couldn't get any pins to set

i used a small bobby pin tension wrench as i needed space to get to both top and bottom of the keyway in one go.

first i used a long slimline hook with light tension to pop the 7th pin. you can't over set this pin.

i raked the remaining pins using a small half diamond and 'ultra' light tension.

this was a easy pick due to all the master pins so i'll leave them out when(if) i re-assemble it. tricky part will be getting the 7th pin back in

[JackNco]

Thats kinda cool. i haven't seen one of these before.

The cuts in the spools look very rounded, do you find that they slip back rather than click in to place?

[cjames73]

yeah, its a cool lock.
the pins were clicking into place but just breathing would reset them!

[JackNco]

One of those locks you want to get open in under a minute "or die trying"

[cjames73]

One of those locks you want to get open in under a minute "or die trying"

i tend to get like that with most locks, then calm down and open it

[Shrub]

One of those locks you want to get open in under a minute "or die trying"

Ah youve not reached the next level yet i see,

What it leads onto is......

One of those locks you want to get open in under a minute "or throw it as far as you can and get a differant one"

[raimundo]

the seventh pin, if one were to pick this type a lot, you could make a tension wrench that sets that pin, a modified finch type with a single point, the only problem I could see with this is if the picking got rough and the cover plate on the bottom of the keyway started to tear out.
otherwise, the bottom plate ensures that no tensor binding will occur that could ground the torque uselessly, it also prevents the 180 degree relock when the top pins fall into the plug.
The rounding of the spool shoulders is interesting, and what is the story on those springs that seem to come to a point. why do the master pins have holes in the middle? All together a new and interesting article.

[cjames73]

One of those locks you want to get open in under a minute "or die trying"

Ah youve not reached the next level yet i see,

What it leads onto is......

One of those locks you want to get open in under a minute "or throw it as far as you can and get a differant one"

if it wasn't for the price of replacement windows a lot of locks would have gone skyward


rai, the 7th pin is only in the lock to prevent key duplication.
i don't think its worth using a modified wrench in this lock, if you know the pin is there jusy run a thin hook along the top of the keyway and the pin will pop.

there are 2 springs with pointed ends, 1 single pointed the other double. haven't got a clue as to why.

i'll have a word with the person who gave me the locks and see if he can give me any answers