Picking Best SFIC to Control

[metroid9824]

Hey guys,

I bought a Best padlock off of eBay a few years ago (sierrapacificrailroad I think). I've never been able to pick it, and I'm wondering if you guys could give me a few pointers. I understand that there are two shearlines, so I ended up buying the Peterson Gerry Finch tool help. So I tried using that, but still no luck. So here's 2 questions:

1. My first problem may be that even with the special ICore tensioner, I'm still not actually hitting the control line. I don't really see how this tool can specifically target the control sleave. Whenever I put it in, the fingers will catch the holes, but when I actually start to rotate, the tool just rests on the grooves of the keyway like a normal tension wrench. Am I using the tool wrong? Has anyone had any increased luck using this tool?

2. I find that in any case, whenever I manage to set one of the pins then set another pin, the first pin I set drops back down. I've tried picking front to back, back to front, and then just random orders. It never seems to make a difference. Is my tension off?


I attached a picture of me using the control key, just so you don't think I'm picking for a sinister reason:

[GWiens2001]

This has been covered several times in the threads here. A search will help.

Best are difficult to pick. The tolerances are tight, and you get very little feedback.

As for the tool camming out of the holes when you try to tension the plug, read the instructions that came with the tool. They will tell you to use toothpicks to lock the tension wrench in place, making the operating plug, control sleeve and the tension wrench into one solid piece.

Also have that tool set, and still have difficulty picking these to control. Have had a number of Best locks that I have picked to control, but many more that I have not succeeded in picking to control.

Good luck,

Gordon