Springy pins

[Asheron]

Hello,

I currently own two deadbolts which I have been practicing on. With one of them it is easy to get the proper tension on the tension wrench to catch the pins. However the other one has what I call "Springy Pins". Basically what I mean is that every pin slides really easily up and the spring pounds them back down when I release them. The plug will turn a little bit in either direction without a key inserted (before picking). Does anyone have any suggestions for this kind of a lock? Its a standard deadbolt that I have dropped down to 5 pins. So far I have only been able to really set pins if I'm pulling on the torque wrench hard enough to break it :-/. the other lock only requires a feather light touch.


Thank you,
Asheron

P.S. What is everyons opinions here on locksmith locks (the ones with a clear side)?

[Cat]

If you're new and you're really stuck, take the lock apart.

On my first dead bolt it was really hard because the last pin was real deep, and there was what I later correctly identified as a spool pin hidden amongst the other pins once I took it apart.

Yeah it's kind of cheating, but if you've just started, it's better to learn something than to get frustrated.

[Asheron]

I've taken it apart and whatnot its just that in order to set the pins I have to put what I see as too much pressure on the torque wrench. I'm not sure if this is the "proper" solution to the problem or not.

[locksmistress]

Depending on the lock, where it came from, how many times it has been re-pinned - it may be put together with wrong parts. I am no longer suprised by some of the very odd things I find when taking apart locks - especially residential.

The springs may not be to mfr's speifications (they vary greatly between locks) or the drivers may be too long. Some locks require different size drivers for different bottom/master pin column heights and not everyone who re-pins locks knows about it (I sure got into trouble when I started pinning Sargent).

If you have spare parts, try diassembling the lock and replacing the driver pins and springs with smaller versions to take some of the tension off.

Not to remove the 'challenge' of picking this lock - but it may actually be defective.

[randmguy]

I would bet on it just being a crappy lock. I have an old MAG rim cylinder that I took off a garage door because you had to wiggle the key to insert it. It also suffers from the same looseness without a key that you're describing. When I try to pick it I can get 3 pins to set turning clockwise and 2 turning counter-clockwise. I can pick it if I set the 2 CW pins then use a spinner to flip it CCW and set the last three. The chambers on this cylinder are quite visibly out of line.

[Asheron]

brand now from targets discount section I'll try what you suggest

whats a spinner?

[randmguy]

A spinner is a plug spinner. It's used when you pick a lock in the wrong direction either on purpose or by accident. Its a spring loaded device that turns the cylinder around past the shear line so fast that the pins don't have a chance to fall back into the plug. There are a several models available. My favorite...http://www.hpcworld.com/lockhpc/t_fit2.htm.

Oh and practice cylinder can be helpful but I don't know that I'd want to spend $50 on a cylinder that's only going to shorten the learning curve very early on. You're better off IMHO removing pin stacks from one of your deadbolts and learning to pick it with one stack, then two stacks, Etc.

Good luck!

[CycloneJack]

So far I have only been able to really set pins if I'm pulling on the torque wrench hard enough to break it :-/


Did you try lube on the lock? Shoot some in, and scrub the keys up and down to make sure they loosen up a bit. [/quote]

[Asheron]

thank you although the pins slide super easy which is why they won't set I believe. lube would be dry graphite correct?

[CycloneJack]

you can use that, or silicon spray. I think silicon works better. But if you can push the pins up with little resistence, lubercation is not your problem

[xorox]

Perhaps the tension is being applied in the wrong direction and not allowing the pins to bind?