What did you pick today?

[Divinorum]

Recently I picked this old American Lock Series 200 that came with no key. Plenty of spools however there were no serrated key pins. I took the lock apart and gave it a good cleaning. Using a pair of calipers on the key pins I deciphered what each pins code was. I then re-keyed the lock with new spools and serrated key pins using the same pin numbers as before. Cut a key by code and that's that This one was a learning experience.

[GWiens2001]

This site can be so much fun. We get to 'take apart', examine, and 'reassemble' locks we have never seen. Sometimes locks we will never see in real life. Yet we share what we find in case someone else wants to help.

Gordon

[C locked]

I agree with gweins, this website but particularly this forum is a great resource. It means that when you encounter one of these in the field. (i know that some of you aren't in the trade,but for me and those who are) you can find someone who has one. Or had one and posted pictures. To provide additional information. i have a collector who brings all sorts of wonderful locks and expects that i will know all about them. And thanks to this forum. And the contacts i've made,if i don't i soon can. Enough to get the job done. And every time i learn something new, if it wasn't already on the forum, unfortunately most are. I try to post it.

[GWiens2001]

There are a few locksmith shops here in town that view me as the collector that brings in cool locks. But I don't expect them to know all about them. I bring the locks in to their shops so I can share interesting things with others who share a passion for locks. Have had a few times when they have called me for info on a lock they are unfamiliar with.

Most people forget that locksmiths generally have a fantastic knowledge of locks they work with on a frequent basis, but with more exotic locking systems, they may never have even heard of the lock, let alone possess a detailed knowledge of the inner mechanisms. They may not have time to spend learning about locks they will never see in use.

Gordon

[teamstarlet]

Recently I picked this old American Lock Series 200 that came with no key. Plenty of spools however there were no serrated key pins. I took the lock apart and gave it a good cleaning. Using a pair of calipers on the key pins I deciphered what each pins code was. I then re-keyed the lock with new spools and serrated key pins using the same pin numbers as before. Cut a key by code and that's that This one was a learning experience.

Awesome job!

[Submariner]

Had some free time this afternoon and picked all my locks...the ones I can open anyway. Can't get anywhere on an old American 600 series and a Master Lock No.81.

American 1105 : Can rake this open in a snap with a bogota now
Two Commercial Master No.5's : These go from being simple to open to frustrating. Need more practice!
A Commercial Master No.1 : Pretty simple...
A Master No.3 : My easiest lock to open. Stick a hook in, jiggle and and it'll open right up.

[teamstarlet]

It's been a while but I grabbed these a few days back:

Master 911 & Master 187XD

I actually really enjoyed the 911 as I learned that it required a huge amount of tension even once it was picked . The shackle isn't spring loaded which was another learning experience too...



Also had someone give me this SFIC Best padlock that had its shackle snapped off:




I've picked the Best SFIC to control several times but have yet to get it to operational.

On another note, I've got a 5200 that I nailed several times a while back but I haven't been able to do it since. It's just becoming frustrating and I'm wondering if I've fallen into a particular habit regarding this particular lock? Granted it's got a ton of serrated /spoorated etc in it, but even after watching a ton of videos and reading various tips etc I'm still having issues... I'd very much appreciate it if anyone has any advice or tips they could throw my way

[logically]

Well technically this was yesterday, but it was a cool experience.

I opened up a masterlock #5 at my job.

They have an outdoor cooler that they lock at night and I guess someone took the key home. The grounds dept. was trying to cut the thing off with a bolt cutter and were only making small dents in the shackle. They were debating on going back to their shop and getting a grinder when my boss asked them what was up.

My boss knows I've been picking and he is interested in it as well. So he volunteered me to open it up for them. I grabbed my picks and went to work.

The best part is I got really lucky and opened it almost right away. I just stuck my small hook in and was feeling for the pins (how many, how tight are they kind of thing) when I felt a give in my tension wrench and it popped right open. I just acted like I did it on purpose and handed them the lock. My boss was so proud of me.

[Luissen]

Well technically this was yesterday, but it was a cool experience.

I opened up a masterlock #5 at my job.

They have an outdoor cooler that they lock at night and I guess someone took the key home. The grounds dept. was trying to cut the thing off with a bolt cutter and were only making small dents in the shackle. They were debating on going back to their shop and getting a grinder when my boss asked them what was up.

My boss knows I've been picking and he is interested in it as well. So he volunteered me to open it up for them. I grabbed my picks and went to work.

The best part is I got really lucky and opened it almost right away. I just stuck my small hook in and was feeling for the pins (how many, how tight are they kind of thing) when I felt a give in my tension wrench and it popped right open. I just acted like I did it on purpose and handed them the lock. My boss was so proud of me.

Congratz, picking for an audience is a tough one.

At a special interests event I attended, I some smart-alek decided to put a padlock on the only porta-potty half way through. I ended up picking that, but I was out of my league... feeling the burn of the eyes for the whole 15 minutes... Not a pleasant experience

[ceefus]

It's been a while but I grabbed these a few days back:

Master 911 & Master 187XD

I actually really enjoyed the 911 as I learned that it required a huge amount of tension even once it was picked . The shackle isn't spring loaded which was another learning experience too...



Also had someone give me this SFIC Best padlock that had its shackle snapped off:




I've picked the Best SFIC to control several times but have yet to get it to operational.

On another note, I've got a 5200 that I nailed several times a while back but I haven't been able to do it since. It's just becoming frustrating and I'm wondering if I've fallen into a particular habit regarding this particular lock? Granted it's got a ton of serrated /spoorated etc in it, but even after watching a ton of videos and reading various tips etc I'm still having issues... I'd very much appreciate it if anyone has any advice or tips they could throw my way

Do you know what pins are in that Best? I have a similar one I have been working on for months but I can't seem to pop it.

[teamstarlet]

Do you know what pins are in that Best? I have a similar one I have been working on for months but I can't seem to pop it.

I don't as I haven't managed to pick it to operational so I can get the cylinder out. There are 7 pins tho... no doubt a bunch of security pins in there.

[jeffmoss26]

Teamstarlet, you got the core out so you would just have to eject each pinstack via the holes on the bottom of the core.
You do NOT want to remove the C clip and use a follower.
Most SFICs do not have security pins, but every so often I will find one or two.

[mseifert]

Master M 911

When I saw that ceefus had picked one of these .. I kind of went on a hunt for one .. I have not seen them in the normal hardware stores so I went to a Contractor supply company and found one .. Everyone talks about the heavy spring tension... they are not lying .. I probably picked the thing open a bunch of times before I realize that the appropriate tension to pick the thing is not enough to get the cylinder to turn .. But I finally got it ..

The pic doesn't show the lock open .. I will repick later and take another pic.. But this is a key retaining lock and the cylinder is turned in the open direction. It will only stay in the open position if the shackle is open ..

[Divinorum]

Does anyone know if there is any difference between the 911 and the Master Pro Sport? The locks look identical except for the color and the 911 has a key way cover. The Pro Sport also is key retaining and the cylinder will only stay in the open position with the shackle open. 5 Spools and a pretty heavy spring. I always wanted to get a 911 for the collection but if it's going to be literally the same lock as the pro sport I'd rather buy a different lock.

[logically]

Well the last couple days I have been playing with these




A Masterlock 5 and 7

The 7 was given me by a friend who lost the key. The 5 I bought because I wanted a challenge.

The 7 was really hard for me at first, but now I can open it in less than 30 seconds pretty consistently.

The 5 is another story. I have only picked it open twice. Apparently I got pretty lucky. I haven't been able to open it at all today

In fact I feel like I'm in a slump as far as successful picking. It's like some locks are too easy and they pop right open, and then other locks are impossible and laugh at my sad attempts. There is no middle ground lol. I am stil glad I bought the 5 though. I am way too new at this to feel like I'm good. After a couple of weeks of opening a bunch of masterlock 3s I started thinking I was hot stuff. Well these last couple of days I am just having a heck of a time with opening anything. I gotta keep practicing and get out this slump. Cheers my fellow pickers