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Rotation before I start picking?

Having read the FAQ's you are still unfulfilled and seek more enlightenment, so post your general lock picking questions here.
Forum rules
Do not post safe related questions in this sub forum! Post them in This Old Safe

The sub forum you are currently in is for asking Beginner Hobby Lock Picking questions only.

Rotation before I start picking?

Postby valeguy » 17 Jun 2012 11:07

I have a few locks that rotate a couple of degrees when I put them under tension before I even start picking. They're well used locks that have been out in the elements a bit so I'm guessing that's got to do with it. The problem is, I'm not sure what tension to put on these locks. When I apply a tension the plug rotates, then when I try the pins I have trouble setting them and I can't find one that's binding significantly. They're pretty cheap locks and I managed to pick the one by applying tension the other way (which doesn't cause the plug to rotate with tension alone), and then I just used a plug spinner.

Has anyone else encountered this type of thing, and if so what's going on with this initial plug rotation?
Image
valeguy
 
Posts: 26
Joined: 1 May 2012 11:51
Location: Johannesburg, South Africa

Re: Rotation before I start picking?

Postby gibson » 17 Jun 2012 20:55

plugs can get worn from being outside, lack of lubrication, and just age. sometimes they have been rekeyed several times, with reamed out chambers, or have had the tops of the plugs filed when someone tried to use oversized top pins. if there is excess space between the lug and the cylinder, it will be hard to get pins to set. try varying the way you apply apply tension, top, bottom, etc. once in a while that will do the trick. on old, worn cylinders you might need to use a rigid tensor to get better control. i'd take the cylinder apart examine it to see if the plug has been worked over. if it's all you have at the moment to practice on, give them a good cleaning with a solvent to get rid of all the built up graphite that might be preventing you from feeling when a pin sets. most locks will pick easier in one direction or the other, depending upon the binding sequence. it's good practice for 'real world' situations to try to pick it in either direction, an well a more of a challenge.
gibson
 
Posts: 67
Joined: 16 Feb 2012 11:50
Location: southeast new york

Re: Rotation before I start picking?

Postby valeguy » 18 Jun 2012 4:32

I tried top tension and it definitely helped, pins are setting so now we're getting somewhere, Thanks for the advice :)
Image
valeguy
 
Posts: 26
Joined: 1 May 2012 11:51
Location: Johannesburg, South Africa

Re: Rotation before I start picking?

Postby Josh66 » 18 Jun 2012 9:25

I have some brand new locks that rotate like that, so I don't think it's necessarily from being outside or anything. It could just be how it's made.

But yeah, it does make it kind of a pain. For me anyway.
Josh66
 
Posts: 205
Joined: 15 Jan 2012 20:31
Location: Columbus, Ohio

Re: Rotation before I start picking?

Postby soundwave5150 » 19 Jun 2012 6:02

Good tips there, might help me with my shed padlock :P
soundwave5150
 
Posts: 14
Joined: 10 Jan 2012 13:22


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