Master #3 padlock question

[ElbowMacaroni]

Hi there!

I'm having a hell of a time picking this master #3 I have... The rotation spring is so strong so I feel like I need to try to overcome it, but even my finger just barely resting on the tensor binds the lower pins. Also the first two pins are long, so I'm having difficulty setting the back pins without oversetting the front pins. I've been using a short hook, I've tried a long hook, but can't get it through the keyway without disturbing the other pins even worse than with the short hook. I've tried a half diamond too, and I can feel the pin positions nicely, but it's too short and the shaft of the pick hits the front pins.

I have successfully picked it twice with a rake, but that's not as satisfying as SPPing it.

Any suggestions on cracking this nut?

Thanks!

[rrkss]

Try using a half diamond and lightening up on tension. You only have to worry about fighting the spring after the lock itself has been picked. Once its picked, you will feel a slight burst of plug rotation before the spring starts to oppose it.

[apb]

Stick with the short hook or diamond. The long pick isn't needed for the Master 3. It sounds like you have a fairly good idea of what is going on in the lock as far as oversetting and hitting set pins with the diamond. The master three picks counterclockwise also and using top tension reduces the odds of hitting any of the pins you have already set. You have the right idea, just keep practicing. The master #3 is a perfect one for that.

[GottFoo]

If its really driving you nuts, you can try raking it open again. Then while the plug is still turned you can feel around with a hook for what the pin heights are like. Helps me some times when I just can't seem to spp an easy lock.

[ElbowMacaroni]

Thanks for the advice guys...

I've already figured out that top tension is better on this sucker, as I seem to hit the cylinder wall using bottom tension (especially since the keyway is so small,) which seems it might prevent feeling what's going on and possibly bind as the cylinder turns.

And the suggestion trying on the open lock sounds like an interesting thing to try.

Thanks again!

[Myrdin]

I like to use a combination of SPP and raking when i have trouble. I'll use raking to get most of the pins set and then i will switch to my half diamond or short hook for pins that are giving me trouble, especially if its a lock with security pins.

[Solomon]

I like to use a combination of SPP and raking when i have trouble. I'll use raking to get most of the pins set and then i will switch to my half diamond or short hook for pins that are giving me trouble, especially if its a lock with security pins.

I agree with this. May not be as satisfying, but sometimes it's the only way. Elbow, have you tried picking it in both directions? The no. 3 turns both ways; the one I have picks much easier anti-clockwise. You might have tried this already, but it's worth a mention just in case.

[rrkss]

To me it comes all to tension, if I overdo the tension, the lock jambs up and becomes unpickable do to the poor tolerances and loose plug. Very light tension is the key to cracking this sucker. You basicly just need to rest your finger on the tension wrench. Remember you are tensioning to bind the pins not turn the plug. Turning the plug comes after picking the lock and you will get a definate burst of plug rotation informing you that the lock has been picked allowing you to heavy up on the tension to open the lock.

[ElbowMacaroni]

Well, so far I'm still having trouble SSPing it, but I can now consistently rake it open by going counterclockwise... it was pretty hit and miss going clockwise while raking, mostly miss. So, thanks for that tidbit as I didn't realize the cylinder opened both ways.

I'm going to play around with feeling around with it in the open position and the cylinder still turned to try to get a better feel for it now.

Thanks again everyone!

[ElbowMacaroni]

Super double extra awesome "oh yeah" with a big 'ol glass of homebrew! (yep, I make beer too, I'm starting to get too many hobbies...yikes!) Going counterclockwise I can SPP it fairly reliably now. Thanks again everyone!

However I did wind up ultimately switching wrenches and going back to bottom tension, due to the keyway being so small that I kept knocking the wrench out with it on the top. The other thing I noticed, is that on this lock that going counterclockwise I got alot more feedback on the pin states through the pick. Is that typical for this lock?

[ElbowMacaroni]

Ok, now that I can reliably pick this sucker CCW...

I still can't for the life of me open it going CW! It seems like any tension I put on it and I mean I'm trying to have a lighter touch that just resting my finger on the tensor and the darn key pins bind in the shear line! What is up with this evil little bugger?

Sorry, just venting... it seems just nuts that I can consistently open it CCW, but not at all CW, you'd think I'd be able at least to get it CW sporadically.

This is supposed to be an easy lock!

[thelockpickkid]

They almost always open easier CCW don't ask me why, but as you get more experienced in picking, you won't ever have trouble picking Master locks, from a Master #1 all the way to the top end Masters, they are fairly easy and I think you will see this as well.

[rrkss]

Nice job picking it. For a slight step up in difficulty get one of those Master Fusion locks. They are still 4 pin but they have spool pins in them and are key retaining so you don't have to fight the counter pressure of the shackle spring. The keyway is a bit smaller than the Master #3 but the lock is fairly simple and a good step into security pins.

Here is an image from masterlock's website.

[ElbowMacaroni]

Cool, I'm probably making a new lock run this weekend anyway, so maybe I'll grab one of those if I see one.

[transformers0704]

light tension then rake motion with the hook pick works or you can lift the pins individualy. remember that when most people rake the lock cylinder and see no result they get frustrated and they increase the tension and the pins bind due to excessive tension applied.. remember take a deep breath relax. If you cant pick it.. put it down relax come back to it later.

HAPPY picking!