Master 140 help needed please...

[Mclane]

Hi there, firstly I'll introduce myself, I'm Paul from London in the UK, just thought I'd try a new hobby after years of being interested in the art of lock picking.

For my first lock I tried a Master lock 140, the choice was made as it was the only lock I had handy to practice on. Now from reading the guides and watching the video's I now know that lock has security pins. As I've not yet managed to open it I thought I'd explain what I'm doing and what the feeling I get when doing it so someone hopefully can explain if I'm doing it wrongly.

I insert the tension wrench with the lightest pressure I can do, when I insert my hook or half diamond pick I start from the back and feel a slight 'give' in the plug and a small movement down on the wrench, I then try another pin and sometimes I get movement, sometimes not. Eventually I get a little more movement but I never get to the point where anything 'gives' on all four pins.

Am I just getting a false set?

I've listened to the lock if I let the wrench off and get 3 clicks which I presume are either set or overset pins?

Am I near or making a mess of it, the tutorials all say use feather light tension and small movements via the pick.

Btw, the picks I'm using are Southord C801 (a 9 piece set) and occasionally I find it a tight fit getting a pick in after the tension wrench is in. I normally insert the pick with no tension on the pick but some other times it slides right in?

Sorry for the total newbie-ness but I'm a keen learner but watching a 100 video's can't convey the 'touch' needed.

Since I posted this on another lock picking forum (need all the help I can get) I've managed to get hold of a heavy duty bike lock and pick it rather too easily so I'm getting a feel for it but the 140 still beats me. I know I'm trying to run before I can walk but it's not so easy for me to get many locks to practice on (cash wise).

I'd appreciate all help and would welcome feedback on the technique I am using on the 140. Is it just experience needed or is the way I am doing it wrong? ie do you think I'm setting some but not all pins or just making a mess?

[dougfarre]

If I can remember correctly, this lock is not that difficult but there is a trick. I think you have to push the first pin as high as you can in order for it to set. Then the lock will be much easier to pick. I am pretty sure it is the 140, but I could be mistaken. Give it a try!

[FFVison]

My advice, as someone who is slightly less newbish is this. You might want to practice on your bike lock (don't pick any locks that you use), until you get a good feel for the lock and know what is the proper amount the plug should turn when the pins set properly. For the most part, it should be more something you feel rather than see. You probably won't see it turn much. Note how much it turns and how it feels.

Now, once you have gotten used to how a true set feels, when you go back to your 140, you will be able to try to pick it. When it seems like the plug is turning more than it should (more than a few degrees), this is most likely a false set. What you are going to want to do is let up on the tension slightly, still holding the plug in place, but not as hard. Then you use your hook (or which ever pick you are using) to lift this false set pin up a little more. You should feel a counter pressure on your tension wrench. This is good, the plug will turn back slightly, keep the light pressure on and lift the pins until you feel it click. This is most likely going to be a true set (depending on the security pins, but in this case it should be fine since they are only spools).

From here, go about picking the rest of the pins as normal.

Good luck, and have fun.

[le.nutzman]

As a person who's popped more Masterlock 140s than I care to count, it's all about light tension and setting the security pins. Masterlock 140s come with 2 security pins and they aren't always going to be in the keypin position as you might already be familiar with.


I'm not sure what's going on with the search function lately, but if you do alot of reading on this site, you'll find that pretty much what I said about the Masterlock 140 is repeated throughout this site, and that light tension is the key to picking almost every lock mentioned in this site. I know i've read almost every posting in every topic group. Hope this helps.

[splister]

The first lock i picked was a master #140, i stuck my short hook in, and raked. When you rake you have to reduce the tension slightly, allowing the security pins to fit over the groove. Furthermore, all the tips i can give you are, keep at it, and experiment with different tension and picks. Oh yeah, welcome to lp101

[Mclane]

Thanks all, I'll try to get some practice locks as and when and all advice was extremely welcome.

As for searching, I wasn't being lazy (honestly), I've searched / downloaded all I can but I've not seen anything try and explain what I should be feeling re the 140.

Thanks again for the info

[martin12]

If I can remember correctly, this lock is not that difficult but there is a trick. I think you have to push the first pin as high as you can in order for it to set. Then the lock will be much easier to pick. I am pretty sure it is the 140, but I could be mistaken. Give it a try!

I also think in that way... correct suggestion

[Noxious584]

Picked a 140 today and it works best if you pick the last one in there FIRST with light pressure and as you pick the ones closest to you apply more torque.

Works for me everytime and it was my first picked lock....I guess it's a good technique.

[rhysg1992]

I picked that lock yesturday twice.
I hate it. But it looks nice.
Whenever i pull the pin down that allows it to move the first pin wont budge.

Noxious584 said

Picked a 140 today and it works best if you pick the last one in there FIRST with light pressure and as you pick the ones closest to you apply more torque.

Works for me everytime and it was my first picked lock....I guess it's a good technique.

every lock is different, or you could open every lock with 1 key. So you can't tell him the exact way you did it because his lock is different to yours.

I thought id point that out and sorry but i dont have much experience so cannot answer your question.[/quote]

[brianp]

Can the 140 be bypassed? I just bought one and it seems I can pick it and open it without the actual plug turning. Just curious. It is a brass Master No. 140.
Thanks!

BrianP

[outlawcajin]

heres a vid of me picking a 140, its kinda crappy, but you can see what tool i use to get past the hi pin in the front.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xe10yxtL5w4

[DPTR]

A video on a 140 bypass technique, no sound here so he may be a complete tosser, but the video itself is pretty good.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zftmrBKJcI

[peoplma]

What's the difference between security pins and spool pins, I thought the 140 had a spool pin. I can pick the 140 by raking until the plug turns, then letting enough tension off that the plug goes back to almost normal and pushing the security pin up, or spool pin, or whatever pin it is. Then the plug turns all the way and lock opens.

[Beyond]

A video on a 140 bypass technique, no sound here so he may be a complete tosser, but the video itself is pretty good.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zftmrBKJcI

Looks like hes just going through the cylinder.

[Afisch]

A spool pin is a type of security pin, as are mushroom, serrated etc. Any pin which is not the standard is likely classed as a security pin.