Difficult Lock

[Picking_Newb]

This lock is a giant pain. It is the only one I have attempted to pick and have not been successful (given I haven't tried any of the higher end locks like American and other high end brands). I think the hard part about it it how much tension I end having to use to set a pin, it feels very unnatural to use so much tension, but even using the key you have to use a good amount of force to rotate the cylinder. Any advice on this one is much appreciated.

[Alsoar]

I started lock picking a short while ago, so any veterans feel free to correct me if i'm wrong.

But if that lock is anything like the Master No. 40, you'll be dealing with 4 standard pins and a dead core (core doesn't spring back).

Personally, i use heavy tension so i can feel the pins setting and even then i have to jiggle/glide my pick against the pins to get it to open (likely the wrong way to do it since you're suppose to have good tension control with dead cores).

Not a lock i recommend at all for first time picking. I find 5 pin (even with spools/security pins) standard padlocks are easier to open than this.

[GWiens2001]

Ace hardware (where that lock comes from) actually has decent locks for the price.

That lock will at least have a couple spool pins, and possibly some serrated pins. If this is your first lock as you say, would suggest setting it aside for a short time and start with a Master laminated padlock like the No. 1, No. 3 or No. 5.

The laminated Master padlocks do not use security pins, and are a better choice to start with, as the difficulty is lesser, allowing you to feel what picking normal pins feels like. Once you are used to normal pins, then work with security pins. Then you will have a good idea which pins don't 'feel right', and have some idea as to how to deal with the security pins.

Good luck,

Gordon

[cheerIO]

Not a lock i recommend at all for first time picking. I find 5 pin (even with spools/security pins) standard padlocks are easier to open than this.

Agreed.

I have picked a few of these as I have a friend in the storage business. I'm with Alsoar, this is not a good lock for beginners. The core is connected to the shackle as was said and is unlike any other pad lock action. It is much easier to learn to pick when the core is being pushed back at you with springs. You will get much better practice varying tension if you use a conventional lock to learn. Once you have mastered that, these type of locks will be easier for you.

For picking I usually try a city rake, then a short bogota. If those don't work it's heavy tension single pin picking as you have said. Many times I have them picked and don't realize right away cause it takes so much effort to move the core and the shackle. If they are cheaply made, the shackle often drags on the body excessively, making them a real pain.

[mseifert]

Practice the following locks in this order Master 140 - 4 Pin 1-2 will be Spools, Master 911 - 5 pin 4 will be Spools, Master 570 - 5 pin 4 security ...

this is a pretty good progression .. these locks are relatively inexpensive and easy to find..

[Picking_Newb]

Not my first lock, the first lock I have tried that I have been unsuccessful with. I have master locks and various lock cores kwikset and schlage, some various Chinese padlocks. One of my kwiksets I know has a spool pin. I figured this one had security pins, but I cannot use a light enough tension to get passed the security pins. The pins will not set without heavy tension.

[Divinorum]

While I have not picked the Ace Hardware "disk" lock, I have picked other brand "disk" locks. They were a bit of a pain because the lock was very sensitive to tension. The trick was light tension using a small BOK wrench and a small diamond/hook. As others have stated, ace hardware actually makes a decent lock and most have security pins. They are not your basic master lock although they may look like it. Good luck.

[buddykiller]

Practice the following locks in this order Master 140 - 4 Pin 1-2 will be Spools, Master 911 - 5 pin 4 will be Spools, Master 570 - 5 pin 4 security ...

this is a pretty good progression .. these locks are relatively inexpensive and easy to find..

not all 140's have spools, at least mine does not. i was very disapointed to find that mine was all standard. also the "serrated" spools that people have found in some masters are a joke as well unfortunately. the only difference i find between those and standards is that sometimes i gotta tickle them a bit, but most of the time i can't tell the difference between them and standards.

[Barthel]

Iv'e got 3 of those
Due to the fact the Keyway looks quite straight and not that narrow I assume it's not the best lock at all, but won't be as hard as the ABUS Disclock
Main Problem here is really the tension, it took me about 2 Weeks to get the first of those open, after that it's not that hard to feel at all.
Additional use not the slimline picks but cheaper, more solid picks (also called "beginners picks" here) with wich you can overcome some of the pin friction caused by the massive tension ... (It just felt wrong "pressing" the pins in Position and i thought i use just tooo much force, compared to standard Padlocks but it's working for all 3 of the Disclocks i've got)
Try it with a more "springy" type of tensioning tool, apply enough pressure to slightly bend those 3mm whipper-blade Tensioners, and than feel for the binding pins.
Once you have all pins set i'ts quite hard to feel that the lock is open due to the fact, that the shackle gives quite some friction, but this comes once you get them frequently open.

Just keep on trying