Security Pins?

[PickyChick]

I'm pretty new to lock picking but am able to pick the Kwikset doorknob lock to my house, as well as Master padlocks fairly quickly. So, to make it more challenging I bought a Schlage doorknob style lock to play with. However, I am unable to pick this lock! My question is, did I pick up a lock with security pins or is the picking technique for Schlage just a bit more difficult? Did I get in over my head by purchasing a somewhat expensive puzzle that I cannot solve?

[bumber]

well i think that schlages are harder than kwikset just by design and it is possible that you have one with security pins, some of the less expensive schlage locks still come with security pins.

[Safety0ff]

I don't think you're in over your head. Schlages have tighter tolerances than kwikset locks and they have 2-3 security pins (in my experience.) If in doubt try the beginner exercises.

[hydruh]

You might also want to try the deadbolt - I have learned that the doorknobs are a lot harder to pick AND rekey.

If you get a deadbolt you can take it out of the housing and take out a few pins, then try it again. When you get it, add one back.

S

[bumber]

I'm pretty new to lock picking but am able to pick the Kwikset doorknob lock to my house

I just want to point out that I really dont mind if people pick locks that are in use, but if they ask specifically for information about opening a lock in use I will try to keep them from doing so...

[hydruh]

I just want to point out that you put that pretty well ...

S

[freakparade3]

I'm pretty new to lock picking but am able to pick the Kwikset doorknob lock to my house.

Although some on the site would rather I not point this out ot you, picking locks that you rely on is not a good idea. You can damage them, makingthem useless for their intended purpose. Stick with the schlage yo bought, it's a great practice lock. Try doing Digital Blue's beginers exercise. It's how most of us started out and you will learn alot.

[PickyChick]

Thanks for the advice! I have been able to do the re-pinning excercises on a doorknob lock I picked up recently (not sure what brand). Concerning picking my own door, I figured that would be okay from a legal standpoint since I am the owner of it, but you are correct, it would suck to damage it...I'll stick to store bought locks.

[illusion]

See, now I think that strikes what everybody was after in Doug's recent thread,

The OP was informed of the implications of picking a lock they relied upon, but was also given a good answer.

Honestly, I'd take apart the Schlage locks and see what's inside... But then again, I don't mind racking my brains trying to get the sodding things back together. For peace of mind get a deadbolt cylinder and read my re-pinning thread, stickied in the FAQ section of this site. You'll have fun taking the lock apart, learn how they work in more detail, and gain a useful skill.

[cracksman]

I like Schlage, they have tighter tolerance then Kwikset, but are easy enough with practice. You aren't in over your head, but you most likely have at least 2 security pins. They are spools and once you learn to pick them, they actually make picking a bit easier (I'm sure people will disagree, just my opinion). You just have to get used to tighter tolerances, I think the Schlage is a very nice practice lock, I used to pull the clip off the top of mine re-pin it, and use electrical tape to hold down the pin cover metal thingy all the time. Ask your local locksmith, they might sell you different pins (security) and otherwise to practice with.

[cracksman]

Sorry to double post,

Some Schlage, like many locks, can be a real headache, I don't mean to imply that your particular lock is easy. Too many factors go in to "pickability" to be definitive about any brand.

And to address the "Don't pick a lock you rely on issue", besides the forensic evidence you leave when picking a lock, if you are a competent picker, you really don't cause anymore damage (single pin picking) than inserting a key. I do understand the need to emphasize the danger of messing with your own locks, and I would caution anyone picking locks at work (wherever you work) that you may be setting yourself up for serious trouble, but to be honest, once I learned to pick, I did my house, parents house, girlfriends house, friends houses. All I said in each case was that they should really look into better locks. But the reality is their glass windows are easier to crack than any lock, and I had to point that out too.

[AlexMHH]

I replaced the Schlage cylinder from my front door with a BiLock. I opened the Schlage, and found mine to have 4 spool pins. I pulled all the pinstacks out but the one regular driver pin and one spool stack. I'm still having a heck of a time opening the cylinder even with two pinstacks. After getting a false set, when I try to push the spool pin past the shear line, the regular driver resets, and then the spool falls back down freely.

[Afisch]

It's all in the tension, prehaps you are oversetting the spool. Consider a stiffer tension wrench.

[ford01explorer]

Ive got a schlage practice cylinder and the opening in it is extremely tight compared to the master and brinks padlocks i have. Even with it being a cutaway, its still a strain to get the pick in there.

[cracksman]

Tolerance and clearance are tighter, but a common hook will do the trick, in time you may even find the schalge easier because its not so sloppy. Are you using your wrench in the top of the keyway on the schlage? That should give you plenty of room, and they seem to pick better that way, while the master and Brinks may lend better to tension in the bottom of the keyway.