UK Yale lock dismantling and breakdown photos

[sj]

I decided to remove a few pins from my Yale lock, and see why I was having problems. It turns out it is because it has two spool driver pins. So I took these out and reassembling it was going well until the end where everything popped out

Dismantling this lock seems to be a bit different from others I have read on the forum, so I thought I would make the best of the situation and take some photos to share my experience.

Here are all the pins (one spring went missing, but I found it later). Notice the two spool pins. I don't know which position these were in originally, since everything flew out onto the table:
http://tinypic.com/f8ebo

This is what the lock looks like from the front. The key reads "Made in England. Always use genuine Yale keys":
http://tinypic.com/f8d2h

And from the back:
http://tinypic.com/f8djm
Notice the circlip (which I have opened) goes almost all the way around, to keep the metal strip in. Also the holes in the bottom of the lock allow the key pins to be replaced without removing the plug, or using a plug follower.

Here is a picture of the bottom, showing how to remove the key pins (you don't need to pull out the plug, but I have done so to show the mechanism):
http://tinypic.com/f8dtz

After removing the circlip, put in the key and turn the plug 90 degrees and pull out the metal strip to expose the holes at the bottom. Then turn the plug another 90 degrees the key pins will drop out. Once you have done this do not turn the plug back round, otherwise the driver pins will fall in and either them or the springs will get trapped and jam the lock. If you need to remove the drivers then use a plug follower as usual. Then put in your new key pins, put in the new key and turn it another 90 degrees, put the metal strip back in, replace the circlip and you are done.

Here is the plug with key pins in:
http://tinypic.com/f8e2t

The plug with they key in showing the key pins aligned:
http://tinypic.com/f8e50

[Ultimatederrenfan]

Hey sj,
Those are good pics, keep them coming!
Have you tried picking that yale with the spools in different positions?

as in one in the front and one in the back so you can work the middle with an "s" rake, then use a deep hook, and pick the spools, just use the search buttond and you will find much more very detailed information on different types of pins such as serratede, mushrooms and the ones you are dealing wiht, spools, i must admit my yale was fairly easy becuase they were bogstandard pins, so i had no problem.
Keep it up and that Yale will be no problem
Good luck
Dan

[sotsog]

Great pics m8, very interesting

[foto-flame]

how would you go about putting these pins back in? If they came out the rear with their springs. -eg if you partially removed the plug.

thanks,

[sj]

how would you go about putting these pins back in? If they came out the rear with their springs. -eg if you partially removed the plug.
thanks,

If you mean the top (driver pins) and springs, then you needs something like a plug follower. Ideally you want something with the same diameter as the plug, but I just used a pen which was smaller and just held it in. Start from the back of the lock, put a spring and driver pin in (driver pins should be flat at both ends, key pins have a point), then slide the plug follower over (from the back of the lock). Then put the next spring/pin in and slide the plug follower over, and repeat until you have all the pins, that you want to have, back in.

Now put the key pins into the plug, ensuring that they are flush with the surface when they key is in. With the plug at a 90 degree angle slide it into the lock, pushing out the plug follower as you go. If all goes well, the plug will go into the body of the lock with all the pins staying in place. Now you can put back the metal strip and replace the circlip.

[foto-flame]

nice one. i've more or less done the same as you and pulled out some pins to find out why its such a pita to pick. found a couple of spools and intend replacing one of them with a straight pin. Its nice knowing exactly where the spools are, you can take your time and really nail the picking technique - if only it was that simple in the field

i'll give that a try tonight.

thanks again.

[sj]

I dismantled what I thought was the same model of lock, but it is a bit different inside. In particular the key pins are rounded at both ends. Does anyone know whether this is to make picking harder, or is it just to make manufacture easier (since you don't have to get them the right way up), or to reduce wear?

I've already picked this lock once, but it wasn't easy, so I'm going to remove a couple of pins and get more practice. It has two spools - one in position 2, the other in either 4 or 5 (these came out together). Does anyone know whether the spool should be in 4 or 5?

[toomush2drink]

Its most likley 5 ive had yales with spools in 1 or 2 but nearly always 5. it doesnt matter where you put them for practice purposes and moving them about will certainly change how the lock behaves when picking it.

[NKT]

Mine was 2 and 5, FWIW.

I can't figure out how to do the spool pins, and even with just 1, 2 & 5 in, and plain, I'm having real fun... Done it twice today. I seem to get worse!

Edit: Ok, so I post that, then crack the three pin variant in two minutes! Wow! I'm going to add a spool right now!

Edit2: Slightly worrying that I can now pick the Yale with the 5 pins in, with spools in 1 & 5, in under 3 minutes! I've only been practising for a total of maybe five hours.

[raimonda]

very nice fotos