What is the difference between these two locks

[Bluenkight]

Both of these are supposed to be No 3 Locks. I can pick the one on the right is like 3 seconds and the one on the left with the smaller shackle is a PITA to pick. what is the difference?

[kwoswalt99-]

Could we see the bittings? It looks like the one on the left has a challenging bitting. Were you using the tool in the picture to pick them? It almost looks like an key extractor. It doesn't look deep enough to set that last pin.

[Bluenkight]

Could we see the bittings? It looks like the one on the left has a challenging bitting. Were you using the tool in the picture to pick them? It almost looks like an key extractor. It doesn't look deep enough to set that last pin.

I am new so what is bittings? no that tool was something I was working on....

[kwoswalt99-]

Could we see the bittings? It looks like the one on the left has a challenging bitting. Were you using the tool in the picture to pick them? It almost looks like an key extractor. It doesn't look deep enough to set that last pin.

I am new so what is bittings? no that tool was something I was working on....

I don't know if I'll be able to define it well, and I don't think it would be in the dictionary, but I'll try. The cut portion of the key is the bit, so the bitting refers to the cuts on the key. That one looks more difficult because there is a shallow cut behind a deep one. I'm new too, so maybe someone else can explain it better.

[Bluenkight]

Does this help?

[RecPicker]

Yes the bitting is the depressions in the cut of the key. On that master key you have 4 depressions where the pins in the lock sit to decode the lock and allow the cylinder to rotate. Numbering from 1 to 4, 1 being the depression closest to where you hold the key and 4 being the last near the tip. The number 3 depression is rather deep which would make picking 4 difficult since you would have to over pick 3 to pick 4, depending on the binding order of the pins.

[kwoswalt99-]

Does this help?

Yes, that is a better view, but I meant the other key, as this one was already visible. If these are both no.3 there shouldn't be any difference between them, except for the bitting, which might explain the trouble you are having. I sometimes have a hard time with masters too. I have spent a lot of time learning about locks, but it hasn't seemed to really improve my picking ability. I haven't seen a no.3 that has the white lines on the bumper, and the cutaway part where the rivets are. Is it a new one? The cutout parts remind of the new magnums.

[Bluenkight]

Does this help?


Yes, that is a better view, but I meant the other key, as this one was already visible. If these are both no.3 there shouldn't be any difference between them, except for the bitting, which might explain the trouble you are having. I sometimes have a hard time with masters too. I have spent a lot of time learning about locks, but it hasn't seemed to really improve my picking ability. I haven't seen a no.3 that has the white lines on the bumper, and the cutaway part where the rivets are. Is it a new one? The cutout parts remind of the new magnums.

Yes it a new one I just got at the homeDepot

[kwoswalt99-]

Are your questions answered?

[billdeserthills]

Are You using a hook pick? You'll need to get under the deep pin in cut #3 and reach up to hit the shallow pin in cut #4
Also have You sprayed some lube in the lock yet?

[Bluenkight]

Are You using a hook pick? You'll need to get under the deep pin in cut #3 and reach up to hit the shallow pin in cut #4
Also have You sprayed some lube in the lock yet?

Yup on both

[Misticmight]

not to overstate the obvious but try giving it a few seconds with a rake so you can get a feel for how each of the pins moves and possibly binding order

[jimu57]

The binding order can make a huge difference.