ERA

[karl]

i got a pin tumbler lock called ERA.it is so hard to pick!!!even with the slightest amount of pressure,the pins are really stiff and wont stick.i could only get down about 3 pins,so i took the lock apart and left only 2 pins in it.i can pick it with 2 pins in about 5 seconds,but when i add a third,i cant get it at all!the lock has no security pins.can anyone help me out,with tips or what im doing wrong?thanks,

karl

[thertel]

Okay, so are you using a lot or tension or light tension? Have your tried setting hte pins in different orders? Let us know what you've tried and if your setting one pin at a time or raking? More info please.

Thomas

[WhiteHat]

sounds like you're potentially setting the pins in the wrong order - try searching for the most binding one first...

WH..

[cred]

these locks are one of the easy ones,try raking first then use a hook or dimond to set rest of the pins.

[Rockford]

Have to agree with Cred, ERA are one of the easiest cylinders to pick. I've found raking is the best approach for a quick opening (they fall open with a pick gun), but pin by pin is also possible with light tension.

Rockford.

[pinky]

ERA are generally an easy pick, but hey like any cylinder even a bird cylinder, if you have a nasty pin configuration then it can be a swine, you will get era that fall open and some you have to work for, on the whole easy, but you can get the odd one that fights back.

keep trying , get a selection of cylinders.

[Quin]

I've had 6 ERA cyclinders to play with. 5 were easy to pick but 1 to this day still has me beat.

It happens sometimes.

[toomush2drink]

Yes any brand can cause problems if it wants but also is the era new ? I tried to pick a new era and it wouldnt open at all so open it loads with the key to "loosen it up" as you would find on a door and it got easier.

Im still struggling with the mila locks on my house, others find them easy but these particular ones are a nightmare, i think they have serrated pins.
Thing is i have done a few mila locks and got them open, strange eh ? To be honest i would rather pick a yale now than tackle these

[karl]

thanks for your replies everyone.i have tried both using light tension and a lot of tension,but i found that alot of tension works better.i am picking each pin indivdually.i dont get,ive picked locks with securiry pins about 100 times faster than i have with this ,but i guess you are right,you do come accross the odd lock thats very hard to pick.

[Rockford]

Just attended a lockout that had an ERA on the door in addition to a 3 lever mortice lock. Picked the deadlock with no problem, and then attempted to slip the ERA with my plastic - no joy, so deadlocked (even though the customer had no idea it was a deadlock). Tried the pickgun for 5 mins - no joy, so reached for the manual picks. Opened in less than 10 seconds. Moral - don't rely on electronics, and practice your manual picking.

Rockford.....

[pinky]

moral, the more tools and options you have the more likely success is, toys ( oops tools ) are a great asset but never forget the basics they at least wont let you down.