Information about locks themselves. Questions, tips and lock diagram information should be posted here.
by Life Of Dreams » 3 Apr 2011 20:41
Hi, My first post so please be gentle. Just taken up the hobby using a Southord 2010 kit - have picked a very tough Abus 65/50, a bike D-lock and a few others not worth mentioning due to ease of pick. Anyway, was given an old Viro armoured lock by my friend and as far as I can tell it has 7 pins and looks something like this:  Can anyone offer some advice on how to pick this? I can't even find the false set and it's become my nemesis. Thanks, Newbie (abuse me)
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Life Of Dreams
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by MBI » 4 Apr 2011 17:53
If you're new to picking, I suggest you put that lock aside for now, and try the exercise on this link: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=10677You'll need a lock that can be disassembled in order to do it.
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MBI
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by Life Of Dreams » 5 Apr 2011 0:25
MBI wrote:If you're new to picking, I suggest you put that lock aside for now, and try the exercise on this link: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=10677You'll need a lock that can be disassembled in order to do it.
Thanks for the tip. As a purist I'm not too interested in pick guns at this point. I have a couple of old tumblers and will set aside some touchy-feely time soon. The Viro I'm picking is rather old, badly maintained, and the pins are hard to push down even without tension. WD40 treatment doesn't seem to make any difference, so overall it'll be a real test for SPP. All the best.
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Life Of Dreams
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by yono » 9 Apr 2011 1:26
here's one encouragement.. a you tube entry from Mrblacklion1, to give you the ensight, (watch how he change picks, the tension,) and go try it again. and a frienly advise..dont be depeated by the notion i cant..because i believe that when anyone has the interest and determination..he can. goodluck. http://youtu.be/OXmKBP1PPM0
hi everyone, im glad to be a member of this very interesting community, our community of locksmiths. i hope i could help others, within my ability, and hope you can help me too, God bless us all fellow locksmiths.
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yono
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by Life Of Dreams » 10 Apr 2011 19:48
yono wrote:here's one encouragement.. a you tube entry from Mrblacklion1, to give you the ensight, (watch how he change picks, the tension,) and go try it again. and a frienly advise..dont be depeated by the notion i cant..because i believe that when anyone has the interest and determination..he can. goodluck. http://youtu.be/OXmKBP1PPM0
Thanks for the video link. Unfortunately, mine is an older and apparently tougher armoured Viro. No matter what tension I try, no matter what order I SPP, it won't turn. Although, I have managed to achieve what appears to be a false set when the 6th pin is set first, but haven't progressed from there. Spent two hours carefully trying different techniques yesterday, but remain hopeful. I have a funny feeling that it may be the placement of the tension wrench. I've seen videos where people have used to wrenches, so perhaps this could be the answer?
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Life Of Dreams
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by Rickthepick » 11 Apr 2011 2:58
I have no idea what a viro is like but from my experience with old padlocks is that they usually require a more brutal approach, more tension and rougher with the picks. try spp with a large half diamond that way you can give it a bit more pressure. delicacy is great for new locks with no wear but older stuff doesnt respond as well
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by Life Of Dreams » 11 Apr 2011 7:03
Rickthepick wrote:I have no idea what a viro is like but from my experience with old padlocks is that they usually require a more brutal approach, more tension and rougher with the picks. try spp with a large half diamond that way you can give it a bit more pressure. delicacy is great for new locks with no wear but older stuff doesnt respond as well
Yes, the lock is from the early 90's and the pins feel very rough (despite lubrication) to push down indeed. Will try the larger diamond, but the keyway is such that it requires picks to be used at an angle and space is limited. It's nice to have a challenge sometimes 
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Life Of Dreams
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by Life Of Dreams » 14 Apr 2011 19:56
Woke up early, grumpy all day, but then...
...I SPP'd the bugger! Oh yes, that old Viro has been entered. Can't attempt it again until my lady has seen it open.
What a rush.
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Life Of Dreams
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by Life Of Dreams » 14 Apr 2011 20:04
Almost forgot, for anyone who's interested: lightly rake (using a triple peak rake) with feather tension (stiff wrench needed for reasonable feedback) into false set (the 3rd pin was the first to go.) Then, with a mid hook, pick the three security pins at position 1, 3 and 6 - I believe they felt like normal spools. Then it was just a matter of slowly easing the standard pin at position 2.
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by femurat » 13 Feb 2016 14:58
Hello and welcome to the forum. That's not a beginner lock, but with practice you can learn how to pick it. Why are you interested in that specific padlock? Cheers 
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