Lock Turned 180 - Oops

[Ilia]

I was a bit too over enthusiastic after picking my first padlock and moved onto my garden door. Now this isn't a major problem as I can lock and open it by climbing through the window however I would like a chance to fix it.

After picking the lock it rotated 180 degrees and is now stuck. When I pick it I can't turn it back up and the key won't fit because some pin has come up from the bottom. I have tried pressing the pin with the thin side of the pick however the key won't go in. Could anyone help me with advice on how to fix this?

How much would a locksmith charge to fix this?

Thanks every so much,

Ilia

[Afisch]

I can't help you at all with prices as i'm no locksmith, nor have i ever had to call one. It's very likely that the key pins have entered the bottom of the cylinder, try pushing the pins back above the shaer line while tensioning (basicly pick it again and continue). A good reason not to pick locks you rely on, a tip for the other poster maybe...

[Ilia]

I can't help you at all with prices as i'm no locksmith, nor have i ever had to call one. It's very likely that the key pins have entered the bottom of the cylinder, try pushing the pins back above the shaer line while tensioning (basicly pick it again and continue). A good reason not to pick locks you rely on, a tip for the other poster maybe...

Yep. A good reason not to do it. So you suggest picking it again and applying the tension to other way to get it back up the correct way? I think I tried it and it didn't work but I will give it a go nonetheless.

[Phatphish]

NEVER pick locks that are in use. (now you know why )

Please click on the Site rules before you make any more mistakes.

[Ilia]

Wahey fixed I turned the diamond pick upside down and pressed down onto the 'thing' as the lock was still open I then moved it back up. It now works as before with the key.

I think there may have been more than one of the 'thing' thats why it didn't work when I pushed it down before as opposed to know when I pushed down on the whole side.

[Ilia]

NEVER pick locks that are in use. (now you know why )

Please click on the Site rules before you make any more mistakes.

The funny/sad thing is that I had actually read the rules and browsed this forum for a while. But I dared. I remembered reading a thread of another person who had inverted his lock 180 and so came here looking for advice.

I am happy that the lock is now working and will not pick another lock I need. I will probably have to buy more locks as my master padlock is boring now.

[Afisch]

I was a little unspecific last time, what you have to do it push the key pins out of the bottom of the plug, this can be done with the back of the pick, then continue turning it. There is the chance that you could cause damage to the lock especialy with no knowledge of it. Try the LSI guide for more on what the insides look like. It's worth getting a locksmith to fix it. It is however a specialist job done by proffesionals (usualy) so expect to pay as such, thats not to say don't shop around though.

[Afisch]

, little late on the button it seems. Congrats. Seems only mistakes can truely stop people doing things. Welcome to the forum and enjoy.

[Ilia]

Thanks

One last question; to stop this from happening would I have to make sure never to turn a lock more than 90 degrees?

[Afisch]

Well once it is picked, you could do that, however many cylinders need to be turned more than 180degrees to unlock. To stop this happening you could keep the key pins pressed down with the flat side of your pick as you turn. Most padlocks turn less than 90 to open, deadbolts often 360 and i find locks to turn more often open clockwise, (though that does not mean all do). If you pick it the wrong way a plug spinner (guide to make on this site) would help you. Good luck.

[Schuyler]

I remembered reading a thread of another person who had inverted his lock 180 and so came here looking for advice.

Common problem. Glad it was a non-essential lock, but you can see why we advise against it. Grab a fistful of cheap cylinders from ebay or craigslist and you'll quickly build up a nice supply of practice locks.

[Squelchtone]

As Schuyler said, it is such a common problem that I made diagram looooong ago so that you could visualize what is happening to the pins inside.
There springs in each stack continue to exhert their force on the top pin and if that pin sees an opening, it will try to occupy that space by either pushing out the master pin into the emptiness of the key warding, or in your case the top pin will pop it's head into the core and say hello and block you from turning the core until you use the pointy tip of your hald diamond and rake the top pins back in their holes while applying light tension with a tension wrench.

The reason this doesn't happen when you use a key is because the key is already occupying all those groove and space, so the top pins cannot come out and jam up the core.

For all you visual learners:




Squelchtone

TOOOL USA
Boston Chapter

[Schuyler]

If you lose a master wafer, you're screwed.

In fact, I believe he may have made that diagram for me back in the day.

[Squelchtone]

If you lose a master wafer, you're screwed.

In fact, I believe he may have made that diagram for me back in the day.

=) I think I DID make that for you.. how far you have come. we're all so proud of you. =)

but I can't believe you didn't notice the fact I rotated the TOOOL logo cylinders in my sig to the American "pins up" way.

[Schuyler]

If you lose a master wafer, you're screwed.

In fact, I believe he may have made that diagram for me back in the day.

=) I think I DID make that for you.. how far you have come. we're all so proud of you. =)

but I can't believe you didn't notice the fact I rotated the TOOOL logo cylinders in my sig to the American "pins up" way.

AHHHH!

bastard, hahaha, I totally had that idea to differential the US vs NL division. Hahaha, brilliant minds, eh?