American lock

[laf]

Whats up guys?

I now earn an american lock! Do you guys could give me any advice exept using light pressure? Im having a hard time picking it.

thanks

[barbarian]

Read about security pins. I think your lock has a bunch of them.

If you mention the exact model, there are some guys that can give you a lot more info..

[laf]

40 series

[awol70]

you will likely be dealing with several serrated hybrid spool drivers,as well as regular serrated drivers.
if you can achieve false set you have pretty much half defeated the lock.
i picked a series 40 on cam a couple weeks ago,that might help...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tAVKcDxF-A

[awol70]

you will likely be dealing with several serrated hybrid spool drivers,as well as regular serrated drivers.
if you can achieve false set you have pretty much half defeated the lock.
i picked a series 40 on cam a couple weeks ago,that might help...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tAVKcDxF-A

sorry forgot to mention, top of keyway tension is my preferred method of attack on most American locks.
it really makes a big difference.

[laf]

ok thanks alot man!

[laf]

man you are truly one of the best lockpicker ive seen on youtube

[awol70]

man you are truly one of the best lockpicker ive seen on youtube

well, thank you...
i really have a LOT to learn, though.....=)

[lock2006]

I got the same problem with this lock #40 and #10 i did get false set on both of them ,but was not easy at first since they have serrated hybrid spool drivers. now i can pick boths of them plus the 5200 and 1105 series,also i used top of keyway tension on most american locks hope this helps.

[rrkss]

I like bottom of keyway tension with two tension wrenches and a short hook pick. I'll post a photo of how I attack American 40 series to give you an idea.

[rrkss]

ok here is the picture of how I picked this specific model of american lock. Also have a picture of the key to show the crazy bitting. From what I feel, this lock has mostly serrated pins, but my different americans are all pinned differently so I assume the pinning is random at the factory. Though I've yet to find an american that does not have mostly security pins.

[lock2006]

Well for some reasons using two tension wrenches bottom of keyway doesn't work for me
i always used only one
even on that american lock or brinks locks,i only used one tension wrenche.

[femurat]

Well, actually you don't USE two tension wrenches. You just use the first one for bottom tension as usual. The second one is inserted just to prevent the wrench you are using binding against the inner cylinder wall.

For the 5200 and 1100 I prefer top tension, but it can give you problems if the first pin is very short.
So I've tried this technique even if it's not my first choice, it works very well when you can't find a firm position to fit the wrench.

Let us know if it works for you...

Cheers

[rrkss]

Well, actually you don't USE two tension wrenches. You just use the first one for bottom tension as usual. The second one is inserted just to prevent the wrench you are using binding against the inner cylinder wall.

That is correct, if you don't use the second wrench, as soon as you set the lock or false set the lock, the tension wrench tends to jamb under the little ward at the bottom of the keyway and you lose the ability to properly tension the lock preventing you from opening it or breaking out of false set. Good luck, this little bugger is quite the challenge but a fun pick.

[ridinplugspinnaz]

Just adding to what others have said here, in my experience you need a tension wrench of very specific depth and width to successfully top-tension most American lock keyways. I have an American 1105 with the first (aka closest to shoulder) pin removed, which is the only way I can top-tension the lock with the wrenches I currently have. Once I can tension the plug properly, opening it becomes a thousand times easier (discounting the fact that a pin is now also missing). I don't own one, but I suspect that one of the Petersen prybars or one of the wrenches from their Flat Five set would be an excellent wrench to use on this lock.