Tips on Schlage, and other hard door locks?

[Squelchtone]

Most of the time i spend picking simple Master locks, and a few Kwikset door locks, so i figured it was time to move up and try some Schlages..
I'm fairly aware of the whole idea of spool-pins, and how you have to apply pressure with your pick, and then release the tension to remove the pins from the hull, but honestly the only was i can seem to get these locks is by sheer luck after about 10 minutes of sitting there. Also for the most part I'm big on raking locks mostly because of my experience with padlocks, but was wondering is it better to single pick with a diamond or half? Any help would be appreciated!

[GWiens2001]

While there are people who are very skilled at raking, and I do a little of it myself, raking still depends on some measure of luck. It also tends to be less effective on locks with high-low pinning configurations.

My preferred pick is a short to medium hook. It helps you to feel what the lock is telling you. You can feel the counter rotation created by spool pins.

Have used a half diamond with a lot of success over the years. You get the advantages of being able to rake the lock, then feel/pick each pin individually. It gives you some of the advantages of both hooks and rakes. It may not do either job quite as well as a dedicated pick, but it still does an excellent job.

With spool pins, most of the time, you do not let all the pressure off the tension wrench. Just ease off the pressure enough for your pick to lift the pin. The pick/pins will, if your tension is right, rotate the plug backwards until the shear line is reached, then the light tension will turn the plug forward again.

Good luck, and congratulations on your progress!

Gordon

[daniel22747]

I have played around with schlage dead bolts and they can be pretty tricky. They have small keyways. You will probably have to attack the pins from a side angle. If you use standard size picks I would recomend the half diamond for this guy as the half diamond often moves around better in tight spaces.

I however prefer to use mini wallet picks on schlage locks. You may be able to get the mini half diamond directly under the pins and pick it that way.

Whatever you use also be very carefull to guard against over lifting with the schlage lock. Gentle small lifts till you feel a click.

[knowspicker537]

I like to keep the same amount of pressure on when lifting spool pins after the false set kinda gives it a snapping action not dropping already lifted spool and regular pins, I don't know if anyone else does this but in my experience it is effective

-knowspicker537

[Korver15]

I have always found it helpful to buy a practice lock and then put one spool in. Schlage is a common practice lock on ebay and this way you can feel what a spool feels like. Then when you feel you have a good feel for it, put some some more pins in. But remember not to pin the first chamber then second, etc. Mix it up. Fill the 1rst chamber then 4th then take those out and put in 2,3,5. If you progressively pin you might learn how to pick that specific lock, but not as well in the bigger picture. Hope this is relevant!

Collin