Really Confused... [lock picked but wont open]

[Squelchtone]

Hey guys, I just joined here, so if this is in the wrong place, I apologize.

I just got my first pick set a couple days ago and managed to pick my first lock the first day I had it, or so I thought.

The problem I'm having is that I am picking the lock and the plug is spinning, but the lock is not actually unlocking. It is a 10 year old Schlage lock that is on my garage door that I am planning to replace in the coming days. I'm going to head outside to make a video to show what I mean. Hopefully you will be able to see that I actually pick the lock and rotate the barrel, but the doorknob can not be turned.

[Squelchtone]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

3 quicks tips.

1. Try to make post titles give readers a hint of what the post is going to be about. "Confused about garage door lock" would probably be better than just "really confused".

2. As hobby lock pickers we practice on locks that are not mounted or in use, because if we break a lock while learning how to pick, well, it could lead to being locked out, or bot being able to lock up for the night, or for the keys to not insert all the way, or insert and get stuck, etc, etc. most pf use have a coffee table or work bench of practice locks, some from flea markets, some from ebay, and some that are new from the store.

3. Your lock is probably seldom used on that garage door, and I'm willing to bet it is a rim cylinder with a tailpiece that inserts on the inside of the door into a small box out of which the linkages go left and right to engage the rails keeping the door locked. When picking a lock it is often important to pick it in the correct rotational direction so that the cam or tailpiece in this case can flip the mechanism to allow the handle below the lock to retract the bolt work. Have you picked it both clockwise and counter-clockwise? One of those should unlock it, the other will lock it.

Good luck, and let us know once you figure it out,
Squelchtone

[UCChris]

Thank you for the tips. I apologize for the vague thread title, I will try and do better in the future.

I understand that we only practice on locks that are unmounted and not in use. That is why I mentioned that the lock is being replaced today. I went out and bought the new lock today. Sorry for any breaking of rules with that.

I have tried to pick it both ways. I can pick it, rotating the plug in a clockwise direction, in about 10 seconds. However, I have sat there and tried to pick it, rotating the plug ccw, for over 30 minutes with no successful pick.

Any tips? Maybe just keep practicing?

Here is the video showing my dilemma: http://s836.photobucket.com/user/footba ... 2.mp4.html

*Sorry for the heavy breathing in the video. I had just got done lifting weights.

[HerrMannelig]

I understand that we only practice on locks that are unmounted and not in use. That is why I mentioned that the lock is being replaced today. I went out and bought the new lock today. Sorry for any breaking of rules with that.

The recommendation to pick locks not in use is better worded as "Pick locks you are willing to possibly break". It is perfectly fine to do whatever one wants with one's own property, but obviously, disabling a lock or preventing your key from working in lock you use is a bad idea.

I have tried to pick it both ways. I can pick it, rotating the plug in a clockwise direction, in about 10 seconds. However, I have sat there and tried to pick it, rotating the plug ccw, for over 30 minutes with no successful pick.

Any tips? Maybe just keep practicing?

Does it work with the key?

It is possible for locks to be defective. I've had a padlock which apparently had a defective actuator, and it acted just like your door (even with a key).

Since you are replacing it, you will be able to see what is going on soon then.

If the key allows the lock to operate, but picking it doesn't, that would require more investigation, but from the looks of it, since you are replacing it, it seems possible you do not have a key or the key does not work either.

[GWiens2001]

Some locks only want to be picked in one direction and not the other.

Gordon

[UCChris]

I do indeed have the key for it. And the key works like, well like a key should work.

[Squelchtone]

I do indeed have the key for it. And the key works like, well like a key should work.

So which direction do you turn the key to unlock it? this is the way you should be picking it. Do you have to turn the key more than 180 degrees in order to 'know' that the handle will let you turn it? All we are doing in picking is imitating the actions of a key, but where a key lifts all the pins to their correct shearline height at the same time and includes a convenient handle (the bow of the key) to then turn the plug, in picking the pick lifts the pins, and the wrench does the job of the key bow. (I'm oversimplifying things by excluding the idea of binding, but I hope what I am saying is clear)

Squelchtone

[Squelchtone]

naughty naughty. I just watched your video and I thought you meant a GARAGE door with a rim cylinder and handle like in this photo:



Not a residential door with a Schlage knobset which leads into your garage. That's a different story entirely.

Does the other side of that knob have a button hat turns to allow you to lock or unlock the outside knob?

Some of these the key will turn, but you have to put some more elbow grease into it to turn it further in order to retract the latch. Once you rotate the key back to 12 and remove it, the latch extends back out as you rotate the key back.

Just for the sake of terminology, that is called a knobset and the cylinder is called a KIK (key in knob)

back to my original question.. which way are you turning the key to retract the latch, and which way do you turn it in order to make it so the knob can turn freely and not feel locked/solid.

Thanks
Squelchtone

[HerrMannelig]

I do indeed have the key for it. And the key works like, well like a key should work.

I watched your video again, and it looks like it turned really easy. Try using more force when turning it, at least, compare it to the force required for the key.

[Raymond]

On Schlage F-series I believe turning the key clockwise locks it and turning the key counter-clockwise opens it. Look which direction the thumb knob on the inside knob turns when locking and unlocking it. Test with the key as was suggested!!! See what happens when you turn the key each direction. Turn the key to unlock and watch the inside thumb knob to see which direction it turns.

[UCChris]

Well, here is proof of my complete newbiness... I finally got it to pick and turn ccw, and what do you know? It unlocked. Took me 45 minutes, hopefully I get faster. Considering most of you could pick it in under a minutes I'd guess. Anyway, thanks for all the help guys! I'm hooked on this hobby!

[YouLuckyFox]

Congratulations! It's great when that plug finally turns. Though being able to pick a lock in both directions helps to increase your skill, a plug spinner can help you to pick a lock in an easy direction and spin the plug across the shear line to the direction needed to open the lock. Feel free to look at the many threads on making your own plug spinner available on this forum.

[KPick]

Congratulations! It's great when that plug finally turns. Though being able to pick a lock in both directions helps to increase your skill, a plug spinner can help you to pick a lock in an easy direction and spin the plug across the shear line to the direction needed to open the lock. Feel free to look at the many threads on making your own plug spinner available on this forum.

Of you can get a good one from aliexpress.

Heres a link below for a good one I got for like 20 bucks. Free shipping too!

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/FREE-SHI ... 61640.html