Can't find a binding pin...

by **liquidz** » 12 Sep 2004 9:21

I did a search for this and could'nt find anything. I have here a little "Low security" brinks padlock that you would use on a backpack or something like that. I am very confident that it has no spools or anything like that.

The problem is I have tried raking, and pin by pin and I just can't find any pin that will bind (Thus giving me a point to start) I have tried light tension to heavy tension. The pins just happily spring up and down no matter what tension I give them.

I have the key so I know it works, but does anyone have an idea what I might be doing wrong.

by **Eagerpicker** » 12 Sep 2004 9:23

Perhaps an obvious point: did you try putting torque on the plug in the opposite direction? Padlocks are less consistent than door locks when it comes to turning direction, and if none of the pins are binding this may well be the cause.

Good luck!

by **liquidz** » 12 Sep 2004 12:51

I tried both ways, I confirmed the direction by using the key.

To make this more interesting, if you take the flat side of a pick press down all the pins and crank down on the tension wrench then remove the pick all the pins go back to their original position. In my experiance with other locks the pins just stay down because of the tension.

by **Cat** » 13 Sep 2004 15:43

you're pulling our legs right :wink:

by **liquidz** » 13 Sep 2004 23:19

Cat wrote:you're pulling our legs right

I wish I was, it's the craziest thing I've ever seen. I know if I was reading this I would think the same thing "What the heck? That does'nt make sense".

I feel around with a short hook pick, and all the pins move easily even to a point that I think it should hit the shear line.

The pins move just too easily, and put up no resistance (Just like pressing them down with no tension at all on the lock).

Has anyone seen anything like this?

by **maldotcom2** » 14 Sep 2004 5:58

Has anyone seen anything like this?

Yep.

by **thertel** » 14 Sep 2004 10:20

Could this be the holy grail of precision manufacturing? or some other fluke?

Thomas

by **S3rratedSp00L** » 14 Sep 2004 19:31

Have you tried putting your tension tool in the top of the keyway?

by **liquidz** » 14 Sep 2004 21:02

S3rratedSp00L wrote:Have you tried putting your tension tool in the top of the keyway?

I've tried top and bottom of the keyway... the only difference was the ease of moving the pick around.

I am waiting for someone to come out with a microphone and say "HAHA Your on candid camera!" or something like that. It's just a POS lock that could be broken easy, yet seems to be impossible to pick.

by **Chucklz** » 14 Sep 2004 21:47

If the alignment was perfect... Then all the pins would bind at the same time. The fact that you cannot get any pins to bind, even with what i assume to be the heaviest tension, then perhaps there is something impeding the rotation of the plug, like a small pin in the back that is pushed in by the tip of the key, or on the bottom that is depressed by the base of the key. Just thoughts.

by **CaptHook** » 15 Sep 2004 0:57

Could this be the holy grail of precision manufacturing?

Nope, just the opposite.
Lube the lock well, put your key almost all the way in and turn back and forth. Not hard enough to bend the key, but hard enough to hopefully burnish the burr thats holding you up. If you dont want to risk your key, try a small screwdriver.
Chuck

by **liquidz** » 16 Sep 2004 1:43

Chucklz wrote:If the alignment was perfect... Then all the pins would bind at the same time. The fact that you cannot get any pins to bind, even with what i assume to be the heaviest tension, then perhaps there is something impeding the rotation of the plug, like a small pin in the back that is pushed in by the tip of the key, or on the bottom that is depressed by the base of the key. Just thoughts.

I would think that if it was'nt just a cheap backpack/lugage padlock that cost $3.

I also oiled the inside of the lock with Militec-1 (Great stuff) no change in results, except that the pins move up and down easier lol.

by **Serethipas** » 17 Sep 2004 22:57

bust it open and see whats going on?
then buy a new one and have another go at it

by **Allmytimerblongtothis** » 18 Sep 2004 10:45

what kind of tension wrench are you using? are you using I don't know, a toothpick at maximum torque? That could be why they aren't binding. Seriously, is the tension wrench commerical or improvisational? does it fit snug in the bottom (opposite the pins) of the keyway? and how do you turn the wrench? When I have problems with tension I flip my hook over and press all pins up at the smae time, and then apply varrying ammounts of tension and see what is goign on, oh i just remembered, on an cheap lock ike the one you have described, sometimes the plug is fit in so sloppily that the plug would turn with inside the lock, that would cause my pins to fall a lot. That coudl be it.

by **Bonuts** » 18 Sep 2004 11:32

is it the 101-20201? i got a set of 2 of those yesterday and they open as soon as you put a pick in it :wink:

.

but seriously... just one of those little 3 pin numbers?

Can't find a binding pin...

Can't find a binding pin...

Who is online