how to deal with crappy locks

[PhR0Z3N_PhL4M3]

Ok so I was asked to try and pick a lock to this persons room (they locked their keys in it) and I tried for a good 30 mins or so and got no where, frustrated, I came to my door, tryed to pick it, and it poped in 10 mins (and I've gone on to pop my roomates door, and my neighbors doors, all having the same door lock), and now I can get it in under 10 secs. But, sometimes the lock (even with the key in it) sticks and feels like its binding and will not turn unless you jiggle it back and forth a bit (possibly due to being master keyed?), its a new lock (all are) but it feels like its just a cheap door lock, how do you guys deal with this problem? I mean I could have all the pins set, and it just be stuck and not turn; its a tad upsetting when your services are needed in a pinch and you fail, yet you can do no problem on other locks.

[josh0094]

are you using homemade or pro made picks. if there homemade you might have sawed them down a bit with a rough pick. but just my guess

[MacGyver101]

If the cylinder feels like it's "dragging" when you turn it, it's possible that you've managed to trap one of the springs between the hull and the plug. I have a really cheap, no-name rim cylinder that exhibits this problem: the deepest cuts actually leave the driver pins below the shear line (:roll:)... if I pick the other pinstacks, the lock will open -- but will trap and mangle some spring(s) in the process.

Fortunately, this isn't a lock that's in use: I would have been in trouble if I'd discovered this while picking a lock that I relied on... and I'm hoping that's not the problem that you've now discovered on your front door lock.

[PhR0Z3N_PhL4M3]

Im using pro picks my homemade ones pale in comparison (in size and stability)

I don't believe its the spring getting stuck, It feels like either the top/bottom pin is just shy of the sheer line(makes the key feel like its the wrong key, if that make sense) I'm gonna chock it up to just a shotty lock/maybe some defect in pin size/shape or something I cannot see (can't take the lock apart, not mine ;D) but I had a pad lock that would do the same thing, I guess I just have to hope for non-stickage ^_^

[Jaakko]

pick a lock to this persons room

I came to my door, tryed to pick it, and it poped in 10 mins (and I've gone on to pop my roomates door, and my neighbors doors, all having the same door lock)

(can't take the lock apart, not mine ;D)

Not to offend you, but there is certain rules we play by, like do not pick locks that are in use or not yours. This is because either you get in trouble or screw up the lock and get in trouble.

[PhR0Z3N_PhL4M3]

Yes I understand the implications by saying I tried to pick "locks that are not mine" but this person locker HER keys in HER room, and gave me permission to pick (or attempt to) pick the lock, I really don't see the problem here. It would be the same if someone gave you a lock and said "hey can you pick this?" I figured I'd give it a shot and try to get into the room without damaging the door (and possibly the frame and lock)

As for the roommates door and neighbors door they each gave me permission to do so (they themselves are into the hobby of locksport, I got them into it) So I appreciate your concern but you can rest assured that I do not use my ability to break and enter or in anyway that would cause a person distress or damage to any property (to the best of my ability).

[freakparade3]

Your use of words like roommate, neighbor, and masterkeyed leads me to believe that you live in an appartment building. This means your roommate and neighbor DO NOT own the locks in question. You should not be picking them.