Weirdness picking abus 55/30

[Timmmm]

Hi,

I've got an Abus N-55/30 packlock (3 pins) and I can't pick it.

It's really strange. If I apply tension, and then press the 1st pin down, the plug turns a lot (about 5 degrees - more than you'd expect for a pin setting), and then I can't turn it any more. I can't push either of the other pins down like this, and if I force them it turns the plug back. Unfortunately I don't have the key to test if it is jammed or something.

Any ideas?

[BOBO]

First pin may be a security pin - denoted by the false rotation. Try setting this pin a little farther, and then working the rest of the pins.

[S3rratedSp00L]

It's an ABUS? Do a search for "security pins", "spool pins", "ABUS"...

Not necessarily in that order though... try a search for "ABUS" first.

(If you are not sure why I say this, then do a search for the word "search".)

I am not familiar with that particular model, but it almost definitely has security pins of some sort. Spools or mushrooms, or something...

Only 3 pins? Wow! I am going to have to search for info about that one myself too. Did it come that way, or did someone take some pins out?

What you are describing is not wierd for an ABUS.

Anyway, to help you out just a bit, the fact that you mention that pushing some pins turns the plug backwards suggests spool or mushroom pins. If you are impatient and just wanna pick, since you have gotten that far....

try this! Get it stuck where the plug will turn slightly. Push on a pin that "pushes back" and let it push back as you balance the tension just a bit. slowly keep pushin the pin until you feel a nice click! Repeat this for any other pins that feel the same way, but leave the pins that don't push back as they are. There is a good possibility the lock will open if you do this carefully. If not, do some reading or try again and then do some reading!

But don't forget to search and read as much as you can before posting something that may be covered already! I gaurantee a search will turn up lots of info to help you! Good luck and have fun with that 3-pin ABUS! It sounds like an excellent lock to learn security pins with.

[Cypherninja]

Yes, that is most likely a security pin of some sort. The trick is to feel your way out of the false set and around the lip at the bottom, thus finding the correct set. The plug will most likely have to turn backward to achieve this. It may do it on its own (if you let off the tension), or you may have to carefully apply a little reverse tension.

Thats my experience anyway.

[poisoned]

Abus uses spool pins on their locks.. I also have that same 55/30 model.
It has spool pins on the 2nd and 3rd pins and the front most pin is just a normal one. Just keep trying to pick it like S3rratedSp00L suggested and it should open..

[S3rratedSp00L]

Hmmm... so that ABUS really is only 3 pins, huh?

If two out of three are spools, then is should be pretty easy to get to the point where you need to start "neutralizing" spool pins. This sounds like it is the perfect practice lock to learn spools for the first time!

If you are still having trouble, go pick a few master no. 1 and then come back to the ABUS. Spools can be tricky at first, it's a different feel. You may grow to like them, they are addictive!

Anyway, keep at it until you get it! When you get it once or twice you will know what to feel for when it comes to spools.