Masterlock #3 with loose cylinder

[logically]

Hello pickers,

I have a question for you all. My friend brought me a masterlock #3 of his for me to try my hand at opening. I have opened up about 5 or so different masterlock #3s that my different friends have (really common lock around here I guess). I can usually open them within a couple minutes, sometimes they pop open right away.

I haven't been able to open it yet

The cylinder is really loose inside the lock. It wiggles in and out and to the side. I am getting zero feedback from my tension wrench at all. It's like I can't even tension it properly due to the loose nature of the cylinder. What causes a lock to get a loose cylinder like that? And is there a better way to pick it? I have tried all my raking techniques and SPP it as well.

I doesn't give any feeling like any other lock I've picked so far. How weird that an old beat up lock that has a loose cylinder is SO much harder to pick than a brand new shiny one...

Any advice, comments, or criticism are welcome. Thank you

[silvfox1200]

Sometimes I have seen the bible cracked. I even seen one that was broke off. While impressioning a key I put the key in a couple of times and the bible broke off and my key open the lock and I could not understand why. The key kept falling out. Check to see if the pare it cracked. Will the key still work? If it does then I would still see if I could find out it it is broken or cracked. Then maybe someone slipped up and put in the wrong pins. I have no idea. Maybe someone else more about it.

[Divinorum]

I have a well used master no 3 that also has a 'loose' cylinder. Usually the more use a lock has and the older it is, the harder it is to pick. You really need to focus on your tension. Make aure you are using the proper size wrench and that the plug is not binding on the body of the cylinder. possibly try top of the keyway tension, it tends to tension the lock better and leaves more space. Start with more tension to the point where all the pins are stiff and slowely lessen the about until you can find the single binding pin. Last but not least if all else fails try squirting alittle wd40 in the cylinder to loosen everything up.

[logically]

...You really need to focus on your tension. Make aure you are using the proper size wrench and that the plug is not binding on the body of the cylinder...

That is really good advice. I didn't even think about the plug binding on the cylinder.

And Silvfox the key does still work.

Thanks for your replies

[xylac]

I've had problems with the Masterlock #3 before too. I can pick it most of the time, but then occasionally I get one that just won't budge. Last time, pin 1 would get stuck in the bible with almost no force. For only three pins, it really is frustrating when I can't get it open!

[ceefus]

I believe the Masterlock #3 has 4 pins. It's a great starter lock and the one I recommend for first time pickers but there is almost no need to attempt to SPP it IMO. I do however run across them from time to time that just don't want to open..

[_NSAKEY]

Even a new Master Lock No 3 will probably have a loose cylinder. It seems to depend on the sub-model (I have a 3D with a loose cylinder and a 3DLF with a cylinder that doesn't move around much).

The solution is in silvfox1200's post. If you're applying tension and the looseness of the cylinder is a problem, use a bigger tension wrench. You should be able to rake it open pretty easily without using a bigger tension wrench, but I wouldn't really recommend attempting to single pin pick it with a smaller wrench unless you just want the challenge.

[nite0wl]

I will reiterate the comments on Master Lock #3's tendency to have loose cylinders, this seems to be common with most of their laminated padlocks. This does often create situations where pins will bind without any tension. In cases where pins are binding without your intervention I will force the plug to reset by using a tension tool to turn the plug toward the locked position (anti-clockwise) and applying some light lubrication.

As Ceefus noted unless you are just starting out it is usually easier to use a rake or jagged lifter to attack a #3.