Damage to Locks

[Steve24]

so i have quite a few padlocks that I've been practicing on a lot and i was just curious about what happens to a padlock when you pick it to much. i have two master padlocks that I've picked so much that one has been reduced to a one pin pick. i don't really understand how this is possible because all the pins are still in there but only one is needed to be moved to open the lock. and the other lock just has a totally different feel from when i bought it. are the springs just wearing out? any thoughts?

[hydruh]

Hi, welcome to the forum!

Probably the other three binding pins are just tangled in the spring and stuck above the shear line.Over time the pins wear (circumference wise) and the end of hte spring gets stuck to one side of the pin and it gets jammed there. the key pin still falls down so it looks like a four pin lock, but there is no resistance to the key pin.

Time to get a few new locks!

S

[TANGO]

Some locks are real easy to open, for example I had purchased a new "commercial" Master padlock and I quickly realized that I only needed to lift the #5 pin to unlock it. The combination are random so you may have one thats pretty loose.

[WOT]

Internal components are made of brass. Lockpicks are made of hardened steel.

Bottom pins and the surface/holes on plug can get scored from being scratched with much harder tools causing some pins to not move smoothly.

[ulliv]

That why the picks have to be as smooth as possible as to not scratch the pins to much.
Have you noticed dust-like brass shavings in the keyway? That usually happens when you've picked a lock intensively and with some force (scratching the pins) Hence the pins have worn down. The square edges have become rounder and thats why the lock in more easily opened.
Time to get some new locks and/or take this one apart to see the effects of picking yourself.

[velcrohead]

I have a brand new master excell padlock here, and I only need to pick one pin to make it open.
I dont think master padlocks appear to be very good, It was not a cheap padlock either, well, not as cheap as some anyway.

[Archive555]

I've picked a lock to the extent that it will not lock!
This sucks, but its great to impress friends
Just place the tension wrench in and make it look like you're forcing it, then shove ANYTHING into the keyway, and Hey Presto: Its open

[TANGO]

I've picked a lock to the extent that it will not lock!
This sucks, but its great to impress friends
Just place the tension wrench in and make it look like you're forcing it, then shove ANYTHING into the keyway, and Hey Presto: Its open

I wanted to show locpicking to a guy, he heplies "Ha! you brought your own lock."
I replied" I'm not going to pick a lock I can't open and look like a fool, I can open this one so that's what I'll show you."

[hydruh]

I have a Kwikset repinned to three pins that I let people use after I have taught them. I recently had to repin it because the pins were so scratched up they actually rattled when you shook the lock.

S

[Steve24]

Thanks for all the info guys, yea i have a bunch of dead bolt cylinders that ive been picking, all used bought from a reuse center but i have stains on my desk where metal dust has fallen out of the back of the lock and i cant get it out. i don't think my picks are exactly smooth.

and Archive i know exactly what you mean! that master padlock with only one working pin, that's the one i grab when im showing lock picking to someone.