Newbie... help? Anyone recognize this?

[telliott]

Hey,

I am just getting started and have worked my way through all the padlocks in my house except this one I found in a box in the basement.... I don't have a key for it and compared with all the others I have spent probably 20 times the amount of time on it but alas to no avail... I am fearful that it is broken or in my newbie-ness... have failed to notice a false set and therefore have misdirected my focus. I have tried searching for the brand on the side of the lock to try and find out if it may have spool pins ect in order to assist my attempt and again no luck. If anybody is familiar with the brand or lock and has any idea on what I am trying to over come it would be much appreciated...

As far as I can tell it's a 4-pin tumbler, there is definite give in the keyway with torsion but I am unable to get the pins to set without over picking?

If not in order to relieve my frustration I am planning on abandoning any attempt under the assumption that it is broken until my skills improve and I wish to attempt it again.

Thanks for taking a look!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/92882180@N ... hotostream

[MrAnybody]

Welcome to the forum, telliott.

I haven't picked one of these myself, and it's not a brand I've seen before, or one I could associate with quality. It's also looking new.

Of course, there's a few factors just in personal picking technique that could be the issue, so it's hard to say what's stopping you from picking the lock. Are you only using the snake rake in the pic or is that for scale?

Can you hear all the pins if you put a diamond to the back of the lock and pull it through the keyway? Do they sound very similar to each other? If so, all the springs are fine. I wouldn't think that it's all messed up inside through dirt since it looks pretty new.

I'd try just a little tension, and try working from pin 4 first, as well as trying it from pin 1 backwards. Any binding at all?

Other than that, I'd also follow your suggestion of putting it to one side for a while and coming back to it later. Sometimes that does wonders for me

[Squelchtone]

I' have never ran across that brand of lock either. Just some import brand, I suppose. Best bet is to use very light tension, insert that S rake all the way in, and slightly lift on the pins as you pull the pick out of the lock very quickly, and as this happens, apply medium tension, or bounce the wrench from light to medium as you pull the S rake out of the lock quickly. Should open in no time.

good luck
Squelchtone

[phrygianradar]

I am kind of a newbie too, so... This lock has a striking resemblance to a Brinks lock I bought. I have found some cheap looking locks that have spooled pins in them also, so don't judge a book by it's cover! Pair that with an high, low, high, low, pin stack and it may be quite a little challenge! Last thing I can add is that I have found locks that for some reason will not open unless you are pushing in on the shackle when you turn the key. I have had to pick them while pushing down on the shackle and "Pop!" But as already stated, it looks so clean and new, that is proabably not the case. Read about spooled pins. It may just be that is what is giving you the trouble...

[ARF-GEF]

I think I've seen a lock like this before here in Eastern Europe. It was quite some time ago, but that one had a tiny keyway so try the appropriately small tools maybe you can maneuver better and that could help you.
The one I saw was a really cheap and shoddy looking lock so maybe you are just unlucky. I've found that if I really get frustrated with a lock it only get's less likely that I open it.

Good luck with it and don't let one sinister little bastard lock to take away your enthusiasm.

[telliott]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I have already tried most variations of those picking techniques and perhaps my abilities just aren't there yet. I think it's time for a break ... I think I have sunk probably 15 hours into it at this point over the course of the last week. Appreciate the tips this forum is great! Chalked full of info!

[Luissen]

I've seen all sorts of locks that look similar to that coming from relatives' baggage purchased in Asia/ Pacific Islands, though never one with a stylized brandname of "Lock"

[torugl]

I have two of this locks.
And if they are as poorly made as mine, they are not fun to pick. The pins do not slide in the chambers, they grind. There are not possible to learn anything from this locks. As they do not give any adequate feedback.

I use a normal short hook and spp the two I have. And I use quite hard tension, to feel any thing at all...

Good luck

[IndigoChild]

They are just the off shoot of master padlocks. compared side by side they are identical. They are the locks that didnt meet quality grades.