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Can't pick old red Yale wafer padlock

Having read the FAQ's you are still unfulfilled and seek more enlightenment, so post your general lock picking questions here.
Forum rules
Do not post safe related questions in this sub forum! Post them in This Old Safe

The sub forum you are currently in is for asking Beginner Hobby Lock Picking questions only.

Can't pick old red Yale wafer padlock

Postby Jesslew » 20 Jul 2015 10:29

I am looking for advice about how to pick this lock. I can pick other wafer locks and pin locks, but not this one. I have tried hook picks, half diamonds, Bogotas, snakes, etc. Everything moves smoothly and nothing seems stuck. It feels like I can get the wafers to set right. (When tension is released they snap back.) The cylinder moves freely a tiny bit when I get them. I have used feather-light tension, mild tension, all the up through really strong pressure. Sometimes I have noticed that after I think I have gotten all the wafers right, if I push inward towards the rear of the cylinder, it seems to cause the cylinder to move a little counterclockwise. (Maybe this is normal?) I have posted a photo looking down into the keyway. The parts I colored in orange are the edges of the wafers. The parts I colored in green are on the farthest inside point of the padlock. I don't know what this is. (Do you?) Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
http://i.imgur.com/b02S1tH.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/mi8gEaT.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Xnf3W0I.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/kU9HtkK.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/k4iLX88.jpg
Last edited by Jesslew on 20 Jul 2015 10:41, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Can't pick old red Yale wafer padlock

Postby Squelchtone » 20 Jul 2015 10:32

Which direction are you tensioning the plug? I have one of these padlocks, and an S rake or half diamond open it just like I'm inserting the key. Also, make sure you're inserting your picks in the correct orientation, I once tried to pick a wafer lock for 10 minutes before I realized my pick was upsidedown, after that it opened 5 seconds later.
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Re: Can't pick old red Yale wafer padlock

Postby Jesslew » 20 Jul 2015 10:40

I am turning it clockwise. Referring to the last picture, I am holding the pick with the diamond part on top. It definitely feels/looks/acts like the wafers are setting.
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Re: Can't pick old red Yale wafer padlock

Postby billdeserthills » 20 Jul 2015 22:48

one thing I have seen is very seldom, is the pot metal (zinc) the cylinder is made of can actually go bad. When it does the cylinder will no
longer turn, and if you force it the metal can simply disintegrate.
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Re: Can't pick old red Yale wafer padlock

Postby Jesslew » 21 Jul 2015 5:08

billdeserthills wrote:one thing I have seen is very seldom, is the pot metal (zinc) the cylinder is made of can actually go bad. When it does the cylinder will no
longer turn, and if you force it the metal can simply disintegrate.


I wasn't aware of this. It could explain what is happening with another lock I have which seems to be disintegrating in my hands. This lock, however, is very solid and the cylinder turns a little.
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Re: Can't pick old red Yale wafer padlock

Postby UnlockingBoredom » 21 Jul 2015 9:00

I have the exact same RED Yale lock and it is the hardest to pick wafer lock I have. I can pick all of the other ones I own in less time then it takes me to get this one open...
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Re: Can't pick old red Yale wafer padlock

Postby Jesslew » 21 Jul 2015 9:09

UnlockingBoredom wrote:I have the exact same RED Yale lock and it is the hardest to pick wafer lock I have. I can pick all of the other ones I own in less time then it takes me to get this one open...

What type of pick works with yours?
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Re: Can't pick old red Yale wafer padlock

Postby UnlockingBoredom » 22 Jul 2015 21:17

I use a standard short hook
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