Picking Technique Suggestions - Vintage Corbin

[Robotnik]

An older Corbin cylinder with ball bearings has been on my must-pick list for months, but my attempts on either of the two I own have all been for nought. To clean one up and get a look at what I was dealing with, I shimmed one and degreased it - one standard driver, four spool drivers; three key pins with ball bearings underneath, two standard key pins.

Even after cleaning and re-assembling, still can't seem to get any feedback, and can pick until my hand cramps with only one or two pins setting. Feather-light tension seems too light (nothing sets), but any heavier and pins bind to the point I can't raise them.

Anyone successfully and consistently SPP one of these that can offer some guidance on technique?

Photo of the lock (and yes, I did realize the key and driver pins in the first position were switched before reassembly )

[mseifert]

I am going to make the assumption that you have picked spool pins before...


Tension is always a tricky part of lock picking .. This should pick just like any other cylinder will spool pins .. I would put what you consider Heavy tension on the core and then slowly in very small amounts back off the tension until you can get a pin to move...

[GWiens2001]

In addition to mseifert's advice, suggest part of your problem may be that the pick is sliding off the bearings. If using a hook, consider using a round file to make a 'pocket' in the tip of the pick to help it stay centered on the bearings.

Good luck, and keep us informed.

Gordon

[Robotnik]

In addition to mseifert's advice, suggest part of your problem may be that the pick is sliding off the bearings. If using a hook, consider using a round file to make a 'pocket' in the tip of the pick to help it stay centered on the bearings.

Good luck, and keep us informed.

Gordon

Good call, that may well be what's happening here. Wasn't giving a lot of thought to the fact that the ball bearings would spin in place...which is a definite oversight, since that's what bearings are designed to do. I've been using both a short hook and a half diamond; since each comes to a point, each would easily be deflected by a rotating bearing. That would explain the weird feedback - the pick being deflected upward may feel like movement of the pin itself.

I'll set the Corbin aside for now and take a shot at making a concave-tipped short hook once I unpack my grinder. Thanks for the suggestion!

[Robotnik]

I am going to make the assumption that you have picked spool pins before...


Tension is always a tricky part of lock picking .. This should pick just like any other cylinder will spool pins .. I would put what you consider Heavy tension on the core and then slowly in very small amounts back off the tension until you can get a pin to move...

Correct; I'm no stranger to spools. I have an easier time with spools than I do with standard pins, oddly enough. That's what irked me so much when I shimmed and gutted this one - looking at those driver pins, it was like, "c'mon guys, thought we were friends!"

[Robotnik]

Picked one of the two ball bearing Corbins I have. Two bearing, zero spool, not the one in the original post; still have that three bearing, four spool one from the original post to go.

[GWiens2001]

Congratulations! Feels great, doesn't it?

Gordon

[C-Horse]

What is the practical point of the ball bearings in this lock? Is it a pick deterrent?

[GWiens2001]

It does do that, but the primary purpose is to reduce wear on the lock and key.

Gordon

[C-Horse]

OK that makes sense. I personally have never seen such a thing.

[Evan]

OK that makes sense. I personally have never seen such a thing.

Back in the nearly recent olden days the brass alloy used in pins for locks was rather soft... To provide durability in locks that were to be installed in institutional settings like schools and government buildings small hard ball bearings were used to reduce wear on the pins inside the cylinders of the locks used...

Think of how many times a day a classroom door lock cylinder gets used...

~~ Evan

[Hachronn]

Think of how many times a day a classroom door lock cylinder gets used...

~~ Evan

It has been a long time since I spent any time around a classroom, but I can't imagine that those cylinders were used more than a couple of times a day... Perhaps things have changed.

[Hachronn]

Think of how many times a day a classroom door lock cylinder gets used...

~~ Evan

It has been a long time since I spent any time around a classroom, but I can't imagine that those cylinders were used more than a couple of times a day... Perhaps things have changed.

[Evan]

Think of how many times a day a classroom door lock cylinder gets used...

~~ Evan

It has been a long time since I spent any time around a classroom, but I can't imagine that those cylinders were used more than a couple of times a day... Perhaps things have changed.

I don't know what school you attended, but if you think a classroom door is only locked or unlocked a couple of times a day -- you either come from an extremely rural place or one with very lax security...

Even back in the pre-1999 days before school security was first revamped, unattended empty classrooms were kept closed and locked... Most classrooms sit empty for several class periods a day while the teacher assigned to that room is eating lunch, having a prep period or is out of their room supervising a lunch period or corridor duty... Let alone factoring in the teacher coming in early or staying late and locking up while they go off to use the restroom... Let's see, in younger grades there is a recess period -- as well as the teacher leaving the room to escort the students to a special class like art/music/physical education or to the library...

Door locks in buildings like that can actually be used dozens of times a day...

~~ Evan