Very strange problem

[daniel22747]

Hello,

I am new to picking and I have come across an odd problem. I can't pick the common padlock. I can pick 5 pin door nob locks no problem, even ones that say they are pick resitant. I can pick dead bolts easy. Wafer locks I can open in seconds. But for some reason the common padlock I can not pick with any regularity at all.

It make no difference the brand, or whether the lock is old or brand new. The only exception to this is the little tiny padlocks that would be found on luggage. I can pick those in about 1 second. But your standard padlock, I just can't do. I have tried light tension, medium tension, heavy tension, single picking, raking, everything.

Have you guys ever heard of this? Any Idea what I might be doing wrong that would only apply to a padlock and not ohter kinds of locks?

[catsoup]

Are you SPP or raking? Often padlocks have smaller keyways, which makes raking more difficult as the tool itself takes up so much space. SPP can be trickier as well because there is less space to move around, especially up and down movement.

Maybe try a different tool - your favorite tool might not be the best tool for all locks.

[Squelchtone]

+1 catsoup. What pick profile (hook, half diamond, S rake, L rake, snowman) are you using, and can you tell us what brand and model padlocks you're trying to open. Perhaps you've mastered Kwikset deadbolts but now you're trying to pick an ABUS padlock with all spool pins and haven't worked with spool pins before. Which deadbolt brands have you been good at picking.

Are you picks part of a purchased set, or are they home crafted? Also, how many weeks/years have you been picking? My first year I practiced 2 hours each night for a whole year.

Keep practicing, some locks just don't want to cooperate without some extra practice.

Squelchtone

[Jedilocksmith]

Have you guys ever heard of this? Any Idea what I might be doing wrong that would only apply to a padlock and not ohter kinds of locks?

The only thing I can think of that would apply to a padlock and not the other locks you mentioned is that alot of padlocks out there only can be picked in one direction...ie, the cylinder only turns in one direction; generally clockwise if im not mistaken. Not like the deadbolt/doorknob locks that can turn in either direction.

[GWiens2001]

I agree with JediLocksmith. Also, the Master Lock #37 (with heavy shrouding on the shackle) turns only counter clockwise. So do a few others.

Gordon

[eodjeff]

This may seem silly but the other locks you are picking are they mounted on doors or boards, what about the padlock. It may seem silly but could your approach change from a frontal view on the KIK and deadbolts as a posed to a padlock in the hand?

[pmackey]

As the guy who taught me to pick would say... your not holding your tongue right... needs to stick out a little to the left...
Sounds silly, but most "easy" locks I have issues with is due to trying too hard. Just a thought.

[SeanGallagher]

The first locks I ever started picking were the padlocks.. for some reason at first it was a little difficult but I wasn't taking no for an answer and practiced constantly.. Through experience I found feel plays a huge roll and controlling tension, what pin you start on, figuring out thru feel what pin could be binding. I cant talk much here cause I am still a beginner but thats my take.. i hold the lock like im a surgeon use one hand for steady and tension then the other for steady but also picking.

[yono]

my experienced with padlock pickings, is first to check if the shackle is "springy" this interacts with the core tolerance and the pins alignments so it need to be depress first prior to picking. Second, if the padlock to be open by picking is mounted on a staple (like the key is lost),I clip the padlock shackle with a vise grip to the staple, to have a firm position while i pick. picking locks cylinders or padlocks while holding it,is for mostly for practice only. the real score is when you mount them and pick them..regards.

[Werxes]

I've got a few locks like this: a Masterlock No 8 and a No 5 that I don't have the keys for.
They're pretty old, and I suppose they may be broken? The springs are quite stiff and the cylinders are very sloppy.

I can seemingly get all the pins to set, but I just can't get them open.

[catsoup]

I've got a few locks like this: a Masterlock No 8 and a No 5 that I don't have the keys for.
They're pretty old, and I suppose they may be broken? The springs are quite stiff and the cylinders are very sloppy.

I can seemingly get all the pins to set, but I just can't get them open.

They probably arent broken, they may just be very dirty. If you can, try cleaning them out and maybe lubing them as well.

You can clean locks with pretty much anything that will evaporate. Brake/Carb cleaners work well enough. Kerosene will work, etc. For lubrication, graphite is what I use, Im sure others have other advice here as well.

If the lock did somehow get broken, try flipping it over so gravity is aiding the springs, and maybe that will make it easier. (align the lock so the pins are falling downward, rather than being pushed upward.)