Corbin locks

by **bmc2213** » 3 Nov 2003 13:32

i am having a very hard time with a corbin lock which is not a combination lock but it is giving me a lot of trouble it is the same kind as used in schools although i dont know the exact model number but any information would be apreciated

by **Varjeal** » 3 Nov 2003 15:43

First off, a couple of questions. Is this Corbin lock a regular key-in-knob type? or is it an Interchangeable Core. The way to tell is to look at the cylinder where the key goes in. Is it figure eight shaped? or round?

This will help us give you a more specific answer.

by **Pheniox** » 5 Nov 2003 23:29

viewtopic.php?t=651

by **Varjeal** » 5 Nov 2003 23:31

Read this first:

viewtopic.php?t=588

Then go here for your picks:

viewtopic.php?t=651

Then go to your local hardware store and buy a cheap padlock, or start practicing on your home's locks.

Corbin locks are not a good place for a beginner to start learning how to pick. It will only frustrate you to begin there, and lockpicking is supposed to be fun.

Hope that helps.

by **VarlamShalamov** » 12 Nov 2003 17:58

Okay, Corbin locks eh? I've picked the one on my lab door pretty easily after one minute. However the one on my friend's dorm door (deadbolt) gave me a bit of trouble. I had a ghetto tension wrench at the time bit it still produced success after two minutes. I made a half turn with the tension wrench and then the cylinder stuck! Just before I completed the half turn, I saw the closing bolt recede back into the door just a little bit, but it stopped when I could push the cylinder no further. I could push in the deadbolt quite easily by applying a bit of pressure with my finger though.

The key allowed you to make a furter half turn, but it didn't matter since the key opened the deadbolt during this first half turn about 60% of the time!! Does this lock require a really fast cylinder rotating motion to shock the deadbolt into unlocking? I know I don't have to pick it again after the first half turn since all the pins are in place, the sucker just won't turn any further without the key... It's round shaped if you're wondering.

Help?

by **Varjeal** » 12 Nov 2003 18:13

What's happening is this, and it's actually quite common to most, if not all deadbolts of the pin tumbler variety.

When picking the cylinder and you turn it a half turn, you are exposing the bottom of the plug to the top pins, which will fall down into the milled and open groove in the plug. The key, of course, prevents this from happening when performing a full rotation.

Solution? Put your pick back in and press the top pins back up and continue rotating the cylinder. You will want to move the tension wrench to the pin-side of the plug in order to accomplish this.

I'm sure that'll help.

by **VarlamShalamov** » 12 Nov 2003 21:06

Oh man, that sounds so simple. Thanks a lot! I knew there had to be some simple explanation for this.

I'll try it as soon as my friend invites me over for dinner at her place again. I'll let you know how it goes and I'll try not to drink all her wine before I try out this technique.

She was pretty unimpressed the first time, since right after I picked the lock I shouted with joy and told her that it's really easy to get into her place. But then I couldn't open the deadbolt for the next three minutes and I needed to ask her for the key. She wasn't too impressed.... but this time. This time it will be different!

by **oniony** » 13 Nov 2003 11:26

Varjeal wrote:What's happening is this, and it's actually quite common to most, if not all deadbolts of the pin tumbler variety.

When picking the cylinder and you turn it a half turn, you are exposing the bottom of the plug to the top pins, which will fall down into the milled and open groove in the plug. The key, of course, prevents this from happening when performing a full rotation.

Solution? Put your pick back in and press the top pins back up and continue rotating the cylinder. You will want to move the tension wrench to the pin-side of the plug in order to accomplish this.

I'm sure that'll help.

I used this 'feature' to hold the pins when I was putting pins back into my practice lock. It helped a lot -- otherwise one has to hold the plug in the hub whilst trying to insert the next pin...unless you've three hands it's not easy.

by **Chucklz** » 18 Nov 2003 0:03

Be careful, its the lock that you tell people will be easy to pick will be the one that laughs at you. If you are around people.... take advice from the lessons of medeival doctors. Tell them that you probably will not be able to open said lock, then when you do it, you will be the miracle worker, if not, you already knew it would be hopeless.

by **VarlamShalamov** » 2 Dec 2003 23:41

It worked like a charm actually. Thanks a lot Varjeal. I actually find these Corbin deadbolt things a lot easier then some 'Master' locks these days. The problem with picking a Corbin deadbolt though, is that you have to pick it again if you turn it too far in order to close the door (if you don't have the key).

Also, I find a lot of people get unnecessarily wound up about how the key "won't now fit the lock after you picked it and why did I let you do this if you were going to break it?"

Always make sure you put the lock cylinder back in the proper position I guess.

Corbin locks

Corbin locks

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