American 700 - Misaligned Key Way

[mseifert]

If you lose focus for one second you will have the opportunity to do something like this....



The Cylinder is turned wrong .. The shackle is locked ... I have been trying to pick it back open but have not been able to .. So my question is ..

If I do pick it open .. Will the shackle open ?? I am getting the sense that it will not turn to unlock ..

Anyone have an advice .. Thanks

[spandexwarrior]

I don't have one in front of me to play with and see how that could happen but maybe you can use the Peterson bypass tool and open it (assuming it doesn't have a security wafer and that the actuator is somewhere near the right position).

Also, the cylinder can't be locked or at 180 so picking isn't going to work. It should be unlocked and the key pins should all be in the plus loose... The cylinder is just jammed up somehow.

-Brian

[mseifert]

The lock has a security wafer .. and I was able to pick it in the wrong direction but it didn't open the lock ..

[spandexwarrior]

Can you push the shackle in and get the cylinder to turn more than it would if it was locked?

-Brian

[mseifert]

I think the problem is that the bible is on the wrong side of the screw and I am having issues picking it .. My frustration my be getting the best of me..

[silvfox1200]

Probably the only way into the lock is to drill the security nut. It looks like someone may have installed the cylinder wrong.

[mseifert]

Probably the only way into the lock is to drill the security nut. It looks like someone may have installed the cylinder wrong.

I was thinking I was going to have drill it also ... And I am the one who put the cylinder in wrong

[FarmerFreak]

Turn it clockwise. It should lock up at the normal position, then you can pick it like normal.

I do not believe it is possible to insert the cylinder with the bible on the wrong side of the screw. BUT, even if it is possible, it would only need to be picked clockwise to open.

The easiest way to get an american padlock to look like the one you have is to pick it open (clockwise) then close the shackle and the cylinder can spin past the shearline and stop in a position just like yours. It isn't a big deal, you just turn it clockwise to fix it.

[mseifert]

Turn it clockwise. It should lock up at the normal position, then you can pick it like normal.

I do not believe it is possible to insert the cylinder with the bible on the wrong side of the screw. BUT, even if it is possible, it would only need to be picked clockwise to open.

The easiest way to get an american padlock to look like the one you have is to pick it open (clockwise) then close the shackle and the cylinder can spin past the shearline and stop in a position just like yours. It isn't a big deal, you just turn it clockwise to fix it.

Thanks I will give this a try .. Now that I have slept maybe my frustration has gone away and I will be able to open it.

[mseifert]

Thanks Freak .. I was able to get the key way to turn just enough to get the key into the lock and open it ..

[Divinorum]

It is possible to insert the cylinder with the bible on the wrong side of the screw. My first time reassembling an American lock I nearly did the same thing. Thank god I tested it and when the key would not fit realized what I did wrong. After that close call I check everytime now. Kudos on getting the lock open!!!

[KPick]

This is exactly how I ruined my American 5200 lock. I had to drill it open and that in itself sucked.

[billdeserthills]

This is exactly how I ruined my American 5200 lock. I had to drill it open and that in itself sucked.

Couldn't you just grind the bottom off the key and shove it in?

[KPick]

No. I didn't have the key for it so yeah. I found my 5200 inside an old garage just sitting there, shining upon my eyes, calling my name, like "pick me please". LoL So I tried and tried and picked it open after hours of analyzing feedback, as a novice. Then i picked it open and it was mine after the owner said, "You can have it." So I took it and WD40'd the rust off it and used it over and over and then I took it apart... Oh man this is where I screwed up. I put the core back in wrong and then I couldn't pick it open.... RIP

[mseifert]

No. I didn't have the key for it so yeah. I found my 5200 inside an old garage just sitting there, shining upon my eyes, calling my name, like "pick me please". LoL So I tried and tried and picked it open after hours of analyzing feedback, as a novice. Then i picked it open and it was mine after the owner said, "You can have it." So I took it and WD40'd the rust off it and used it over and over and then I took it apart... Oh man this is where I screwed up. I put the core back in wrong and then I couldn't pick it open.... RIP

If you have the core in the same way I did.. When you pick it you will need to push the shackle in to relieve pressure on the bearings..

Also, you can always drill out the trap retaining nut... Use a punch to make a starting mark and drill until you just take the top off .. Pretty easy and most Locksmith shops will sell you a replacement for cheap..