Master #40 is being diffucult!

[0Gravity]

Hi All,
Any tips on opening a Master 40? I have tried SPP it, tried raking and picking, tried the method seen on countless UTube Vids where you push the rake or snake and put pressure on the tension wrench at the same time...nothing seems to work for me....everything I am reading and seeing in videos says that this lock should be a breeze but not for me...I even have another similar looking shackle type master lock that has a plastic casing with a key door that I open in seconds! When I try to pick it I can feel tension on the back pin and then once I set that one, all the others act like I don't have any tension on the plug, and the just push back with spring tension! THIS LOCK HAS BECOME MY NEMISIS! But I do like the challenge....any tips would be welcome!
Thanks,
Mike

[fjardeson]

I pick a lot of Masters at work (we use them for computer lockdowns and oh boy, do our users love losing the keys) and have found a few things that help pick them

1) LIGHT tension.
2) SMALL pick (the Rytan style works great)
3) TOP tensioning (tension from top of keyway, not the bottom, some of the pins you barely have to move if they are low

Some do have spools, so reread the sections about picking spool pins. Happy Picking!

[pjzstones]

a master #40 is most of the time easier to pick if you apply heavier tension. when applying heavier tension you will hear and feel some definite clicks when you set a pin. if you're starting at the back pin and when you set that one the others are unable to set or bind, then it would seem that you're over setting it. which is when you push a key pin past the sheer line. try starting at the first, second, or third pin, the fourth one may not have to be set.

[Solomon]

Yeah those ones have pretty stiff plugs cos of the way the shackle locks into place, I recommend medium-slightly heavy pulsating tension. Once you get the feel for them they're really easy, thankfully the tolerances are pretty rubbish so you don't need to focus too much.

[0Gravity]

Ok....Thanks for the suggestions I will give them a try, and let you all know when I have beaten it...lol

[0Gravity]

SUCCESS!!! I was over setting the back pin.....I had to use my snake rake tip and just BARELY move the back pin...then all the rest were easy!

Thanks for the tips!

[pjzstones]

congratulations, glad you got it!