american locks.

[raimundo]

the aluminum body of the american lock should be surprisingly hard on things like hacksaws and files and grinders, aluminum is always bad for these types of tools, so yes, you could destroy a lock with them, but if using hand tools, theres some work in it. but an aluminum body, that will quickly melt into a puddle of hot aluminum drops that look like hersey kisses, All it would take is the standard plumbers propane torch, the cheap on you can buy anywhere. if you try it and it works like I think it will, and while I havent done the experiment, I have torched some aluminum once long ago, and I suspect it will still work the same. if torching open an aluminum padlock, I would keep the flame right over the locking balls until they fall out, then smak the hot lump down with a hammer.

[quickpicks]

I have used a dremel and a cut off wheel to cut the retaining screw but this seems like a waste of a good lock and they are way more fun to pick

[Ray_Air]

are the 700 series or the h10 any good? and why is that guy selling the h10 for only $15? is that saying something about the lock?

I have an H10 and would feel secure locking up my radio equipment shed with it, on a heavy hasp of course. The H10 is bolt cutter proof with its super strong 7/16" boron shackle. I couldnt even cut an American SERIES 50 padlock with the 3/8th boron shackle and thats with a pair of 36" Klein bolt cutters leveled on the ground for extra leverage! Master's 3/8" boron alloy shackles break with 30" bolt cutters. The H10 has a double-sided disc keyway with 5 discs top and bottom. I believe they are discs, but not sure. Its a real heavy looking lock.

I take back my good comments about the American H10. I purchased a set of double sided picks and the American H10 popped open in less than 2 minutes. Now I got it down to less than 30 seconds. Such a shame for such a tough looking lock.

[raimundo]

picking that cylinder is very easy, put the tensor blade in the center and use a small half diamond, rake one side then the other, then rake the first side again, that usually does it.

for all the tumblers in that cylinder, it still only has one spring to press on them, I think that american quit making that cylinder a long time ago.

[Raymond]

These American wafer locks were considered the best weather proof lock of their day. You could use one on the spare tire hanging under a truck and it would probably never foul up with dirt. Even if it did you could fill it with any kind of oil and almost hammer the key it and it would still work. The reason for only one spring was only to scramble it after removing the key. Both sides of the key must be cut exactly in inverse proportion to the opposite side. The key automatically lined up both sides.

[spyhunter]

I take back my good comments about the American H10. I purchased a set of double sided picks and the American H10 popped open in less than 2 minutes. Now I got it down to less than 30 seconds. Such a shame for such a tough looking lock.

Can you post a link to the double sided picks you purchased? I'm curious to see what they look like. thanks.

[nekret]

I'm guessing its probably these:
http://www.lockpickshop.com/DSS-4.html

[raimundo]

Yeah, Raymond, the lockshop I worked for long ago, would get blank cylinder plugs, you just put the key in it and there was a cup drill that went over the plug and cut the wafers to fit the key. But as I said, they are easy to pick when you know whats in there, and thats probably why american no longer makes them, american also had an ace lock type, that they no longer make. the current pin tumbler models are good, especially with that plug return spring that fights the tension.

[Noah]

I take back my good comments about the American H10. I purchased a set of double sided picks and the American H10 popped open in less than 2 minutes. Now I got it down to less than 30 seconds. Such a shame for such a tough looking lock.

My sentiments exactly! I just bought one of these new last month to add to my collection. I can consistently pick it in about 10 seconds with a regular pick and tension wrench. If they would just replace the cylinder with a more secure type, that would be one great little lock!

[Noah]

I take back my good comments about the American H10. I purchased a set of double sided picks and the American H10 popped open in less than 2 minutes. Now I got it down to less than 30 seconds. Such a shame for such a tough looking lock.

My sentiments exactly! I just bought one of these new last month to add to my collection. I can consistently pick it in about 10 seconds with a regular pick and tension wrench. If they would just replace the cylinder with a more secure type, that would be one great little lock!

[Noah]

I take back my good comments about the American H10. I purchased a set of double sided picks and the American H10 popped open in less than 2 minutes. Now I got it down to less than 30 seconds. Such a shame for such a tough looking lock.

My sentiments exactly! I just bought one of these new last month to add to my collection. I can consistently pick it in about 10 seconds with a regular pick and tension wrench. If they would just replace the cylinder with a more secure type, that would be one great little lock!

[freakparade3]

I'm guessing its probably these:
http://www.lockpickshop.com/DSS-4.html

Why spend $25 on these picks? I'd say we all have at least one ball, half ball, or snowman pick. Save your money and buy a $3 wishbone tensor. The combination of those tools is just as effective and alot cheaper.

[nekret]

I'm guessing its probably these:
http://www.lockpickshop.com/DSS-4.html

Why spend $25 on these picks? I'd say we all have at least one ball, half ball, or snowman pick. Save your money and buy a $3 wishbone tensor. The combination of those tools is just as effective and alot cheaper.

+1

[JK_the_CJer]

I'm a big fan of American locks. They are some of most well-made "normal" pin tumblers around and have nice tolerances in my opinion. The keyways (AM1 is it?) are a bit small and hard to work in. They love spools, serrated, and sometimes spoorated if i remember correctly. But what they are most well-known for is their serrated key pins. In almost every American padlock I've come across, there is a serrated bottom pin right there in first chamber. It stares you in the face; mocking you. Of course, those are only a problem if you overset.

My ship (Navy) is currently in the shipyard undergoing a massive refit/rebuild. As a result, there are lots of Americans being thrown out (the Military loves em). The most common model right now seems to be the Series 5200. I've gotten a few open, but they are still quite difficult for me. As far as tips go, I find that I have to consciously think "use less tension" to even have a shot at em. I know that's a pretty cliche tip, but i think it hold especially true for these.

Also note: If you have removed that tiny cylinder and are picking it in-hand, DO NOT rotate the plug a full 180 after picking it. I can't even count how many times I forgot and did this (all of the pins shoot out the bottom and boy are they tiny).

[blackfoot]

ive done that with someone else watching too...................no sooner get the lock back together and you turn the key ...............and your just starting to think man am i good or what .............then the pins fall all over the place ........cause you turned the core to far.................ouch...............i had to buy a pinning kit just to cover my boo boo's...........