I hope this is the correct spot for this posting. I've been picking for about 2 weeks and have picked all the locks in the background of the pic here but having issues with this 4 pin brinks lock part of it may be the akward way I have to hold it. The other may be it seems to need a lot of tension otherwise a pin will pop back out. I've made at least 4 attempts at it without success. It felt like I had every pin at least once but still couldn't get it. I suspect I have some issue with a security pin. I picked a normal brinks high security 5 pin pick resistant padlock without too much problem. I'm only using the single pin pick method with a basic hook pick without raking because I'm trying to learn how locks work as I pick. I have a southord and Toool pick set. Not sure what I'm asking but if anyone has suggestions on this lock it would be appreciated. Thanks
I have an HD widescreen monitor and I have to horizontally scroll to see that image, and it is very low resolution and hard to see detail...
Is that an R70? Picking these is usually considered awkward as compared to other padlock designs. It is the nature of the shape.
Maybe seeing a video would help?
Use light tension, and do not think of it is difficult.
Increase tension after each pin is set after you get a few, as it is sometimes possible to have a lock picked, but there is not enough tension to open it if there is a spring. I think this lock has a spring (I see my fingers flexing the tension wrench, so there probably is).
A suggestion from me would be to use a wishbone tension wrench. I used a wishbone tension wrench when lock-picking was difficult for me on these disk locks. I had to file the small notches at the tip of the tension wrench with a file so I could fit the tension tool in the lock because the small notches at the tip of the wrench were just a bit too big for the key-way. (My tension wrench is from Southord)
This is a picture of the tension tool (Picture Below)
After filing the wishbone tension wrench down:
I used this filing tool:
This is how I use it:
Hopefully this technique works just as well for you, but just be careful because at first you can snag the tension tool with your pick and pull it out, resetting your work back to step one.
Cool, I wouldn't have thought about that. I think I might have that exact same tension wrench in my southord 32 pick set. I'll give that a try soon. Thanks for the tips
These are great locks for learning to pick upside down locks. The brinks max security lock does have a spool pin or two in it and can be tricky. I use a standard tension wrench and bottom of the keyway tensioning to pick these.
Learn to pick the lock right side up first and then practice upside down picking. It is very easy to over set pins on this lock too.
