Tubular lock pick question

[vitti]

I understand how they work and how the commercial tubular lock picks work. My question is, is the spacing of the pins consistent regardless of the number of pins?

I see most of the tubular picks come in either 7 pin or 8 pin. Will the 8 pin work on a 7 pin lock or are the pin spacings different?

I noticed at work today that the tubular locks on our cash registers are only 4 pins. They otherwise look exactly like any other tubular lock I've seen on vending machines and such but only 4 pins and all the pins are on the bottom half with the top half void of pins or chambers/holes for more pins (by bottom I mean the side opposite the slot for the alignment nub on the key). Made me wonder if spacing is standard or if each configuration is different.

(Don't worry, I have no desire or need to pick these locks on the registers, I'm the Store Manager and have all the keys at my disposal.)

[dougfarre]

You should go to your local locksport chapter. They have free picks and locks there. Maybe they could answer your questions. Look in the locksport local for details.

[vitti]

Believe me doug I would if there were on around here. from what I understand, or at least what I've been able to find online, since you left the area there's not one anymore. I'm in the north Garland/Richardson area. I can't find any info on a local club.

[josh0094]

all the newer vending machines use dimple locks.

[LockNewbie21]

Well this is a tough call, see I have seen tubular locks of all sizes. So the comercial tools are good.. if they fit.

There some what old school and as for Tlock or cam locks I find companys using Vanlocks, Kaba gemini's, medeco, abloy, ect.

The tool is a greatly designed tool, however the best one would still be pertersons with the interchangable heads, they have the offests, hex, small bore.

But I find the tubular locks being utilized less and less.

Ln21

[Beyond]

all the newer vending machines use dimple locks.

Not really.

I've seen Ace II's, Medeco's, and even a Abloy Protec on "newer" vending machines here. It's all up the manufacturer/owner. I even snapped a picture on my camera phone of an Abloy on a water machine at a local grocery store because I was in such awe.

We get a lot of visits to the shop asking what we can offer as far as security to a vending machine owner.

[dougfarre]

Believe me doug I would if there were on around here. from what I understand, or at least what I've been able to find online, since you left the area there's not one anymore. I'm in the north Garland/Richardson area. I can't find any info on a local club.

You would be surprised what kind of magic is contained in these vast pages...

viewtopic.php?t=30494

Oh, but it seems that you have already found that! Great.

[linty]

all the newer vending machines use dimple locks.

That may be true where you are but I don't think it would be true for a real cross section of american / north american vending machine locks.


Also, to answer the original question, the spacing between pins on 7 and 8 pin tubular locks is different and the 8 pin pick won't work on a 7 pin lock.

[eurolock fan]

The latest lock I've seen in my area is a Van lock. I seen it on a change machine.

[vitti]

Thanks linty, I was beginning to wonder if that was going to be answered.

[assweasel]

Linty that is totally incorrect.

The spacing on 7pin and 8 pin are identical.

I use an 8pin for everything. removing one pin allows me to pick 7 pin
but i can also do 7pin offset left or offset right using an 8 pin as well.

Even the aforementioned Van lock has the same spacing as the 7pin and 8pin cousins.

The only Tubular that has differing spacing on the pins would be the 9 pin national.

The way this lock is made allows moving pins to any of 12 positions with in the lock.

I'll do a break down of this lock on the weekend and post the pictures.
because once again a very interesting Lock. It was hailed ,until it wasn't , as unpickable.

I've mentioned custom security products and Don Hughes a few times in other posts. well once again it was his pick that broke the 9-pin national. As well as the Van lock.

When it comes to tubulars and picking Don Hughes out of Simi Valley was Einstien.

[casey05]

Linty that is totally incorrect.

The spacing on 7pin and 8 pin are identical.

I use an 8pin for everything. removing one pin allows me to pick 7 pin
but i can also do 7pin offset left or offset right using an 8 pin as well.

Even the aforementioned Van lock has the same spacing as the 7pin and 8pin cousins.

The only Tubular that has differing spacing on the pins would be the 9 pin national.

The way this lock is made allows moving pins to any of 12 positions with in the lock.

I'll do a break down of this lock on the weekend and post the pictures.
because once again a very interesting Lock. It was hailed ,until it wasn't , as unpickable.

I've mentioned custom security products and Don Hughes a few times in other posts. well once again it was his pick that broke the 9-pin national. As well as the Van lock.

When it comes to tubulars and picking Don Hughes out of Simi Valley was Einstien.

Can anyone else confirm this? There seems to be a difference of opinion on this question.

[Jaakko]

The eight pin has the same spacing as the seven pin lock (not offsets of course).

[Archive555]

The eight pin has the same spacing as the seven pin lock (not offsets of course).

So essentially (you might have to break it down some more, my head is still in yesterday ) what you're saying is I can buy an 8-pin pick and with a simple adjustment I can pick 7 pin locks? And then un-adjusting it I can again pick 8-pin locks?

[Jaakko]

Archive555, yes, this is what I remember. Also the 7-pin (if my memory serves) version of the pick can be modded for offset picking also