Master Lock # 1

[jeeper906]

I am new to lock picking and need help picking the master lock # 1. I am pretty sure this lock isn't supposed to be difficult and I have successfully picked the master lock's Chinese counterpart so I am very frustrated why I cannot seem to pick this lock.

I am having trouble with the last pin (the pin farthest from the keyhole). It is very hard to push up and and even the slightest pressure with the tension wrench will lock it above the shear line. I have been trying to pick this lock for about a total of 6 hours. I am going from pin to pin trying to feel each one reach the shear line. The problem with that is I can barely feel or hear any feedback from the pins when I push them up.

Someone please help me. I am going out of my mind with this lock. It shouldn't be this hard! There has to be a trick or something to this lock that I can't figure out!

[Slick Pick]

The #1 Master Lock is a 4 pin lock, none of these are security pins. Use light tension with the tension wrench. Watch your frustration level. The more frustrated you become the easier it is to apply to much tension. Then use your pick and gently lift each pin stack. You will feel one particular pin stack that is harder to lift then the other pin stacks. The pin stack with the most resistance is the binding stack or pin. Slowly, gently and carefully lift this pin stack. Remember you’re lifting very small pins not telephone poles. You should hear or feel a small click when the pins divide at the shear line. I know you said you “can barely feel or hear any feedback from the pins when I push them up.” That may be the result of heavy tension. But it’s really important to find the pin stack with the most resistance. At times it’s hard to tell because you may have a couple of pin stacks that feel like they have the same resistance but there is a difference as small as it may be. Work from front to back finding the next pin stack with the most resistance and do the same thing. Without working the pin stacks in this manner, pin stacks that you have already set will fall back down into the cylinder again. Also when you think you have all the pin stacks set but the lock will not open, go back over each stack one at a time, giving each one a gentle push up. There may be one pin stack that is almost but not quite divided at the shear line and the gentle lift is all that’s needed to divide them .Take a break and keep it enjoyable. Do a search here on binding pins and read the information in the post. Practice, practice and more practice does make the difference.

[5thcorps]

Probably just a case of over picking. Make slight subtle movements inside the keyway. Try gently raking it first to get an idea of what pins are hanging up. Also look at the key to determine how deep the cuts are and how far the corresponding pin may need to be lifted.

[Slick Pick]

Also look at the key to determine how deep the cuts are and how far the corresponding pin may need to be lifted.

Nice added touch 5th. I've used that one once or twice my own self.

[lock2006]

Well just like Slick Pick said the more frustrated you become the easier it is to apply to much tension.
just take a break and see find some info
about binding pins and Practice, practice and practice here is
a video maybe this helps ok
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJoBn90m ... re=related

[jeeper906]

I know you said you “can barely feel or hear any feedback from the pins when I push them up.” That may be the result of heavy tension. But it’s really important to find the pin stack with the most resistance. At times it’s hard to tell because you may have a couple of pin stacks that feel like they have the same resistance but there is a difference as small as it may be. Work from front to back finding the next pin stack with the most resistance and do the same thing. Without working the pin stacks in this manner, pin stacks that you have already set will fall back down into the cylinder again.

Thanks for that tip Slick pick. No one every told me to pick the pins from the heaviest tension to the lightest before. That might be exactly what my problem is. The only information I had read about what pins to pick first is to just start from the back and work your way to the front. I'll try to watch my frustration level by trying to pick the lock only a few times and then put it down and do something else for awhile before trying it again.

Also, the video that was posted about picking a # 1 master lock was helpful. I watched every video Youtube had on picking a # 1 and # 3 Master Lock. I don't have a # 3 but I read somewhere that they are very similar.

[Slick Pick]

You’re welcome. Just keep practicing it will all fall into place. Then the fun starts all over again when you get into security pins.

[Slick Pick]

Sorry one more thing I forgot to add. Check out this post by Shrub: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=23712
It contains a list of Master Locks by their numbers, and the number of total pins in each and if they have security pins or not.

[Fixed link-unlisted]

[jeeper906]

Sorry one more thing I forgot to add. Check out this post by Shrub: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=23712
It contains a list of Master Locks by their numbers, and the number of total pins in each and if they have security pins or not.

Yea that post is very helpful. Especially when I get into more advanced locks.

I do have one question though. When I try to pick a lock I try to go pin to pin. In every video I saw on youtube people would just take a rake or an s pick and just wiggle around for a couple of seconds and then the lock would pop open. When I tried that I had no luck. I am pretty sure I am not putting very much pressure on the lock so I don't know why can't open the lock.

Also, sometimes when I am picking the lock and I am not sure if I had picked any of the pins I will loosen the tension wrench to see if I can hear any of the top pins popping below the shear line. When I do this I sometimes hear a small ping. How do I know if that ping is from the top pins falling below the shear or just the bottom pin falling from being pinched at the shear line? The ping I am talking about is pretty loud. I mean I and someone sitting beside me can hear it clearly.

[Fixed link-unlisted]

[Slick Pick]

As far as raking goes, let me quote a classic line from zeke79 “Rakes to me are like mopeds and fat chicks, they’re still fun to play with but I never let my friends see me do it” Stick with single pin picking, you’ll learn a lot more about how locks work. Raking really doesn’t take skill; it’s based more on luck.
For part two of your question, that knowledge comes with practice and experience. One thing that has seemed to help me is a cut away cylinder. That way your eyes can see what you’re hearing and you can apply that knowledge to an enclosed cylinder. I just got one off of eBay not to long ago and I do not have any ties what so ever with the seller. The post is here: viewtopic.php?f=8&t=43853
Remember lock picking as someone else said on one post “is not rocket science’ but it is an art. It will not happen overnight but it will happen. The easiest lock I can think to tell you is the Master Lock #141DLF, the number is on the packaging. It’s black with gold lettering and I got it from Home Depot. I let my wife and friend, who have never touch a lock or lock pick in their lives try it and they single pin picked it open in no time.
[Fixed link-unlisted]

[jeeper906]

Yes I really do think I should get a cut away cylinder. That would really help. But only if the cylinder was as hard or harder than the master lock #1. I guess I am having such a hard time with this lock because the only other lock I have picked is a 3 pin china knock off that I could pick in my sleep. I could put a lot of tension on the cylinder and still pick it in only a couple of seconds. So I think starting off with such an easy lock has spoiled me and gave me a false sense of confidence which was soon dropped to nothing with the finding of the master lock #1. I guess practice makes perfect so the more I practice the likelier I am to pick it. And with that I must thank everyone for their helpful information and tips because I have some practicing to do.

[euphoricism]

The easiest lock I can think to tell you is the Master Lock #141DLF, the number is on the packaging. It’s black with gold lettering and I got it from Home Depot. I let my wife and friend, who have never touch a lock or lock pick in their lives try it and they single pin picked it open in no time.

This one is kicking my @$$. I've opened my master #3, three shlage deadbolts, and two Defiant deadbolts... but I can't get this 141DLF!

[Slick Pick]

The easiest lock I can think to tell you is the Master Lock #141DLF, the number is on the packaging. It’s black with gold lettering and I got it from Home Depot. I let my wife and friend, who have never touch a lock or lock pick in their lives try it and they single pin picked it open in no time.

This one is kicking my @$$. I've opened my master #3, three shlage deadbolts, and two Defiant deadbolts... but I can't get this 141DLF!

Beginners luck? Yeah that’s what it had to be

[Slick Pick]

On their part, not yours…………..just so there’s no misunderstanding.

[Galen]

Just bought and picked a #1, specifically a black shelled 141DLF today. Was in WallyWorld picking up lightbulbs and noticed the locks a couple isles over. 'Never hurts to practice after all.

Darn, if one knows what one's doing, this is* an easy lock to single pick. Looking at the keys for my version (, only the first and fourth teeth had any real height, so I started there.

First attempt: SouthOrd jackknife, small diamond head. Got the fourth pin to bind. A bit of rotating and the size of the pick itself causes the first pin to lift. With the right (light!) amount of tension, it opens. Why? Based on feeling the tumblers, the low height of the keyway helps the middle two pins bind just by means of the pick shaft's inherent height.

Second attempt: As above, but carefully held low tension, removed pick, and tapped the first pin with the pick to open.

Conclusion/Thoughts: Raking is actually a bit harder on this lock for me, just because of how loose the pin springs are. While easy to open, it's probably a good exercise just to feel how light the pins are and how light tension is needed. A simple stress-reliever/confidence booster for just about anyone, and/or a good way to start off.
Above all Relax, light torque, and study the key.