Pilgrim's Progress

[Stevo]

Locks "done":
Kwikset
Master #3
S&G 4 pin (simple drivers)
Schlage B (simple)

I feel my next step should be security pins.

Is there a simple kit I can get that will have security pins to "upgrade" my kwikset or schlage? Where to buy? I see kits on ebay, but I don't know if they would have stuff I need or want. Or should my next purchase just be a new lock?

Pick-fu masters, help me chart a course.

Thanks!

[bushd]

Unless there is a locksmith in your area willing to give you pins you're either going to have to buy a repinning kit (expensive usually) or you could purchase Varjeal (North America) or Luke (Australia) kits. I have bought Varjeal's and love it. It comes with regular and security pins with springs for a schlage cylinder. You might be able to find someone on here to send you some security pins but it would depend on the type of lock.

Also, the Master Lock #140 has some security pins in it. Try that one.

[Exodus5000]

Also, if you've only picked one of each of those kinds of locks I suggest getting a variety of them. I've seen some Master no #3's that could stump beginners and novices alike.

[TOWCH]

You can make your own with a dremel and file.

[Chucklz]

Beleive it or not, alot of "cheap" knockoff locks of the Master laminated body series contain security pins. I find some to be quite challenging, as the machining isn't nearly as good as in a real quality lock.

O/T: Pilgrim's Progress is a lovely Vaughn Williams Opera. His Fantasia on Greensleaves, and Folk Song Suite are not to be missed.

[logosys]

Beleive it or not, alot of "cheap" knockoff locks of the Master laminated body series contain security pins. I find some to be quite challenging, as the machining isn't nearly as good as in a real quality lock.

Yeah, I have some good fun with the Mountain Security locks from Wal-Mart. They cost a whopping $6.95 for a double cylinder (at least in College Station, TX) and generally have 2 security pins. I also cannibalize them for pins in my other Kwiksets...

O/T: Pilgrim's Progress is a lovely Vaughn Williams Opera. His Fantasia on Greensleaves, and Folk Song Suite are not to be missed.

It's also an allegorical book by John Bunyan.

[sevenply]

I started out with a S. Parker cylinder and Master Lock #1. I got good and consistent at picking them. So I went to a hardware store and all they had was a Master Lock that says commercial on it and its a no. 5. Looked pretty intimidating and there is an extra piece next to the keyhole so it will only turn in one direction. I picked it the first time in under 10 seconds. It was definately a confidence builder but now I had 3 locks that weren't challenging. I can pick all 3 of these locks in sequence in under a minute. I decided to go to K-mart to see what they had. All they had was Master Locks and Fortress.

Fortress looks like a Master Lock knockoff but reading the packaging I noticed it is made by Master Lock. I decided to buy a big Fortress Lock thats looks similar to a no. 1 but a little bit bigger. I also bought a smaller bronze Fortress lock. Both Fortress locks say 50mm on the bottom. I have been trying all day and haven't been able to pick either one yet. Searching the forums I found one thread on Fortress locks and the tone was they are challenging. I think you too would find these challenging if you can find them. They are also cheap 6 dollars for the bronze one and 8 dollars for the big one.

I also have a Segal cylinder I picked up at Home Depot that is extremely fustrating. I removed two pins so it only has 3. With 3 pins I can't even pick it. I have picked it like twice in many hours and days of trying. It has no security pins but the key pins rest on ledge forcing you to use your pick at and angle. On the packaging of the lock it mentions that Segal Lock Company is an ASSA ABLOY Group company. This cylinder was about ten bucks if I remember correctly.

I have been on the lookout for a Master Lock #140 but haven't found anyone who sells them yet.

[raimundo]

chucklz mentions 'master knockoffs' which I take to mean laminated 40mm padlocks marked 'china' which do sometimes seem to have shrooms in them. Usually these can be picked, it takes a while the first time then you 'learn the lock' and can do it consistantly, but there is another way I have heard of but have not done that is said to open them, if you wish to study this method, you may have to use a hack saw to cut through the rivets in the second from bottom laminatin and pull the cylinder out, Supposedly, you can design a tool whether its a wedge tip or a hook tip, that will reach through the cylinder, and pull back the locking dogs, (bolts). perhaps someone could take the trouble to do this and write us a report. These cheap china padlocks can be found in many places, often abandoned on bike racks or chain link fences. One can assume that a bike might have been stolen, or a lock left unlocked was carried off and locked to the chainlink by some passerby, sometimes they are even found in the street where they may have falled from some bicycle or off a truck.

[PickPick]

Supposedly, you can design a tool whether its a wedge tip or a hook tip, that will reach through the cylinder, and pull back the locking dogs, (bolts). perhaps someone could take the trouble to do this and write us a report.

I made such a tool from a broken Majestic pick, just ground the tip to a point, reach into the keyway, feel for the little notch in the back and pull your tool up. Easy, but works only on the cheapest of padlocks.