by raimundo » 8 Apr 2008 8:38
getting the pins to stay up is a simplistic concept that is not what the idea is about. Yes to light tension, and if pins set and fall, do not be frustrated or discouraged, that is part of the process. Normally there is a random order of pins setting, and you may have the sequence wrong.
heres a little theory ooooo the five holes are not in fact aligned perfectly, and the pins in them may have defects from misuse of the lock that dosent' allow them to sit perfectly straight in the holes.
everything is imperfect when its looked at very closely, and it is this that makes the pin tumbler pickable,
well, this and the 'tolerances' which are the upper and lower limits of the design specifications. Say the pins have a tolerance of a few tenthousands of an inch, (probably larger in fact) the reality is that they are not exactly alike. Also, the longer a pin is, the less it can tilt in the hole. a thing like a wafer pin from a masterkeyed lock can just about turn over in the pin space, but as pins get longer the possiblity of this is less and less,
keep picking the pins with moderate tension, put one up or just move it and move on to another pin, keep working them all rather than working on one pin.
when a top pin is properly set on the step, the bottom pin is completely loose, of course this is also true if you have a top pin bound between the cylinder and the plug, like something traped in a sissors. but if you use moderate tension and cannot bind a pin then you will succeed in setting that pin. eventually,
The lock that is difficult is a learning experience, Usually difficult locks become easy ones when you are using good tools and proper technique, because you come to learn which pin sets first and generally learn the things that are working for you on this lock.
Wake up and smell the Kafka!!!
