What did you pick today?

[Hachronn]

The funny part is that without any spooled pins in it, there couldn't be a false set!

I felt pretty foolish when I took it apart and didn't see any spools

I did the exact same thing with my first American padlock. It didn't have any spools in it and it felt like it was picked (because it was...), but I didn't put enough pressure on the tension wrench after picking to release the shackle! I just reset it and tried again. Funny stuff. Live and learn!

It really did feel like a lot of pressure to put on the tension wrench. It almost felt like too much force. I have a feeling that had I not been using a prybar type tension wrench, I might never have realized that the thing was actually picked. I don't think that I would have applied that much force using the wrenches that came with my PXS-14.

Again, good picking! Those serrated pins are really tough to get a feel for.

I've picked that lock several times, but I still can't pick it with any degree of confidence or consistency. I know that it is a matter of light tension and gentle lifts, but it's going to take time and practice before I can honestly say that I have a feel for those pins.

[mrskittles]

Cool, I love finding locks. Almost never happens, and when you do, they are covered with rust and filth, like you found! What did you use to clean it, just oil? Do you know what type of lock it is? You said it's generic looking; is it a pin and tumbler, a warded lock...

I have a little section of my lock collection that is just locks I have found or people have given me because they have no keys or they didn't want them (been hanging on the back of a truck or a shed for a few seasons...).

I put some machine oil from my wood tools in the lock. The oil got It working pretty nicely. Its a pin tumbler. I ended up looking around town at some hardware stores and I think it may have come from Ace Hardware originally. It definitely wasn't hard to pick because of the quality of the lock, though.

[GWiens2001]

Why do I get the feeling that I am considered a prankster?

Gordon

[fgarci03]

Why do I get the feeling that I am considered a prankster?

Gordon

You?? A prankster?
No way! He must have been talking about another Gordon!

I don't imagine you doing something like that to anyone. No sir! Uh-uh!


I need to be carefull on our next trades

[teranaut]

Did a few more rounds today with 'the trio'. I managed to get all three CW/CCW and I'm learning more and more about how to read the state of the plug and pins. Thanks to all who have been willing to share so much great information with people in an effort to educate. I think I need to get some more security pins though. I'm interested to see how serrated pins feel. One step at a time.

Happy Picking!

[phrygianradar]

It really did feel like a lot of pressure to put on the tension wrench. It almost felt like too much force. I have a feeling that had I not been using a prybar type tension wrench, I might never have realized that the thing was actually picked. I don't think that I would have applied that much force using the wrenches that came with my PXS-14.

That is a really good observation; one that I haddn't thought of till you said that. The first time I picked my American I used a bottom of the keyway wrench and ended up putting another little screwdriver in it to turn it open after it was picked. The Pry Bar works way better and gives you the room to get it picked with harder pin configurations. The thing is that it feels so different to turn it open with a key than a tension wrench that I wasn't expecting it to be so hard to turn. The little Southord wrench could hardly take it, in fact I think it was bent. But that may have been because I was using too much tension.

Anyway, there are so many little things that your hands memorize about the feel of picking locks.

[fgarci03]

Picked an Israeli Magnum chinese "high-security" I got today. Despite being cheap, I think it's a beautifull lock:


More info on it in here: viewtopic.php?f=10&t=57271

[kerti]

Israeli Magnum chinese "high-security"

Interesting brand. I heard that design of this lock made in Switzerland
Thank you for photos.

[Hachronn]

...I think I need to get some more security pins though. I'm interested to see how serrated pins feel. One step at a time.

Serrated pins have really helped me fine tune my use of the tension wrench. The serrations definitely let me know when I've gone too far.

...The thing is that it feels so different to turn it open with a key than a tension wrench that I wasn't expecting it to be so hard to turn.

The tension wrench almost returns the same feedback as a key that's about to break in the lock. That probably explains my initially overwhelming urge to release and reset.

[Hachronn]

Oh, and I crossed a Master No. 532 off my list today.

[GWiens2001]

My first disc detainer padlock using Solomon's method of bailing wire and a tension wrench.





Thanks, Solomon

Gordon

[phrygianradar]

Wow, you go Gordon! How long did it take you?

[GWiens2001]

About 2 minutes the first time, about 20 minutes the second time, then just now 3 times in 1 minute. I gotta work on consistency!!!

Gordon

[fgarci03]

Congrats Gordon!
3 times under a minute is very fast I still can't even open one!

Nice work!

[MrWizard]

I've never owned one to even try.
I will have to look for one on ebay I guess.
Then look for the how to video.
Great job Gordon.

Richard