Baffled by a cheap puck lock.

[south town ninja]

I dont know what to say, that wasn't already in the header. I was attempting an unlock for a friend who had lost the key to their storage, and ended up just cutting the cheap puck lock off, when i couldn't pick it after about a minute. i brought it home afterwords, and still can't pick it open.

[cheerIO]

How would you be able to cut off a puck lock?

[south town ninja]

I'm afraid to say. I was warned against discussing destructive entry just now, so.....(squelch tone, if you are reading this , I am SO sorry)

[deolslyfox]

Are you sure the lock is operative ?? Trying to pick a lock with a hung cylinder is a losing proposition !!

To answer your question, "puck" locks pick just like any other pin tumbler. Most are easier because they are either Master or Chinese junk ....

Since you've already destroyed the usefulness of the lock, go ahead and open it up. If the core can be taken apart do so and see if there's a pin hung up, dead squirrel in the works, etc. If everything is good you can always pick the cylinder. You don't need a lock body and shackle for that.

Hope this is helpful.

[cheerIO]

I think you guys are talking about discus locks.

The puck locks I have seen are usually Americans or variants. Even the cheap ones I have are American style 6 pins cores. They aren't easy and pretty hard to remove in any fashion.

[Squelchtone]

I think you guys are talking about discus locks.

I think you're right, maybe photos will help.

hockey puck padlock used commonly with a special hasp to protect work van doors in high crime cities:


hasp mounted with carriage bolts to back doors of a typical white work van



typical cheap Abus Discus clone padlock used on storage units:

[south town ninja]

yup, discus.

[daniel22747]

Sometimes cheap locks can give you trouble just cause they give poor feed back. Higher security locks have pins that are a lot more snappy.

[smokingman]

Was it a real ABUS, did it have a real brass plug or a cast silverish plug/keyway?(imitation?)

[south town ninja]

no it was a cheapo lock bought in bulk by a storage company and sold at the front desk. It is really disconcerting that such a cheap lock offers such challenge. I am starting to be able to pick american locks with serrated drivers (tho i am no master, as of yet), so a cheap discus type lock, with four pins and presumably no security pins should offer very little challenge, in theory. oh well, i will wait till i am more skilled, and try again.