Masterlock 19751041

[tsiolkovsky]

I recently acquired this Master combination padlock from Ebay to practie shimming with and I notice it has a keyway on the back of the lock.

http://www.tsiolkovsky-creations.co.uk/stuff/1974-1041.png

I am guessing that somewhere there is a key for this - probably only 'issued' to the school supers so that they can remove padlocks left at the end of the school year but I'd like to know if I am right in my suposition.

To be honest I've not tried picking it yet just in case it is used for something outre like enabling someone to reset the combination - which is probably wrong - but it would be useful to see if it is safe before I do anything I'd regret.



Rik

[Squelchtone]

I recently acquired this Master combination padlock from Ebay to practie shimming with and I notice it has a keyway on the back of the lock.

http://www.tsiolkovsky-creations.co.uk/stuff/1974-1041.png

I am guessing that somewhere there is a key for this - probably only 'issued' to the school supers so that they can remove padlocks left at the end of the school year but I'd like to know if I am right in my suposition.

To be honest I've not tried picking it yet just in case it is used for something outre like enabling someone to reset the combination - which is probably wrong - but it would be useful to see if it is safe before I do anything I'd regret.



Rik

Hello,

I'm surprised to see a rubbish lock like that in the UK, unless you found it on ebay from an American seller. You are correct that this is a key over ride in case a lock combination is forgotten or a lock is left on a locker at the end of the school year. It has 3 pins I believe, and is not very difficult to pick, but because the keyway is tiny, you have to get creative with tension wrench placement and which style pick you use.

Squelchtone

[tsiolkovsky]

Hello,

I'm surprised to see a rubbish lock like that in the UK, unless you found it on ebay from an American seller. You are correct that this is a key over ride in case a lock combination is forgotten or a lock is left on a locker at the end of the school year. It has 3 pins I believe, and is not very difficult to pick, but because the keyway is tiny, you have to get creative with tension wrench placement and which style pick you use.

Squelchtone

Thanks for confirming it. Yes it came from the USA via ebay and I got it, as I say so I could practice shimming with it, and have a go at decoding the thing. I must admit I was surprised at how heavy the thing is.

As to picking it, it is a 3 pin assembly and I do have a small tension tool that I made which works a treat. The tension tool was built so I could have a go at a tiny 20mm Tri-circle 261 padlock.

[Divinorum]

Try a very small tension wrench and a smal diamond. I have had some success using this combination on those locks.

[tsiolkovsky]

Try a very small tension wrench and a smal diamond. I have had some success using this combination on those locks.

Sage advice. Using the small tension tool and my small half diamond it clicked right open. Only thing I had to remember was to pull up on the shackle

[Evan]

As to picking it, it is a 3 pin assembly and I do have a small tension tool that I made which works a treat. The tension tool was built so I could have a go at a tiny 20mm Tri-circle 261 padlock.

Actually it is four pins...

~~ Evan

[cledry]

Yup 4 pin. I sell quite a few of these. The schools buy them 500 at a time usually.

[tsiolkovsky]

Yup 4 pin. I sell quite a few of these. The schools buy them 500 at a time usually.

Interesting. I am only getting three distinct clicks with mine when I run a test using the back of a diamond. I wonder where I am going wrong.

Still I am managing to pick it open.

Rik

[somenewguy]

I have one where the back of the plug is milled off under the 4th (backmost) pin, and the 4th pin is there, but it's jammed up into the bible. Before disassembly, it felt like there were only 3 pins.

Also, check out these items:

http://www.amazon.com/Master-Lock-K7-P380-Resettable-Combination/dp/B001RNNF7Y

http://www.amazon.com/Master-Lock-K176CR-P380-176-P380-Override/dp/B000Z3CJJC/

http://www.monstermarketplace.com/commercial-security-equipment/master-lock-k176cr-p150-override-key-011255

http://www.jmlock.com/masterlock-control-key-for-176-padlocks.aspx

Reading the Amazon reviews shows that most people don't know what they are ordering.

[tsiolkovsky]

I have one where the back of the plug is milled off under the 4th (backmost) pin, and the 4th pin is there, but it's jammed up into the bible. Before disassembly, it felt like there were only 3 pins.

Also, check out these items:

Ah that sort of makes sense

If these things were easier to come by in the UK I would consider taking it apart to see what makes it tick. I believe the way to do it is to peal back the crimped metal sides and then access the 'guts' that way.

My word those listing do look ummm complex

Rik

[daniel22747]

With really tiny locks I find that bobby pins work best for me. I know it sounds strange but they are so small they work really well.

Also pin tumbler jigglers work well too, not auto jigglers, but pin tumbler jigglers.