Wrong Pins put in - is it pickable?

[StumbleAndFumble]

A newbie with a question regarding a dumb move I made. I bought a door lock and repined it. The dumb move I made was I misread the key gauge and put in the wrong pins. Now the lock won't work - - - duh. My question is, if a lock has the wrong pins in it is it pickable?

Many Thanks

[Jacob Morgan]

If it is just a matter of rearranging some bottom pins such that it now does not correspond to the key, and you used a plug follower to re-key it, then it should be pickable or shimable.

[jimu57]

Sure. One of the biggest reasons to pick a lock is because you don't have a working key.

[StumbleAndFumble]

Thanks. In my case I'd have to say it was not a working brain and after I'd finished the key didn't work either. I wasn't sure if having the wrong pins in would make it so that things wouldn't line up right. Thus the question. Thanks again!

[StumbleAndFumble]

Mr. Morgan: I replied to your message with a thank you but now I don't see it. So I'll try it again. Many thanks and I guess the Kwikset I screwed up is going to be the first lock I'll try picking.

[jimu57]

I've done that many times. Sometimes a pin upside down. Sometimes in wrong order. Just have to back up and do itvagain.

[StumbleAndFumble]

Gentlemen (I am in the right place aren't I?)

One more question if I may - I'm hoping you might have some suggestions for me w.r.t. a good/accurate key gauge. Here's why:

I took 3 readings of the key that I want to work in the lock and came up with the following: 25414; 24414 and 23414. I carefully took the pins out of the lock I'm replacing and measured them with a micrometer giving me these readings: 1.94, 2.4, 2.65, 1.71, 2.64 which comes out to be 24515.

Many, many years ago I worked as an electronics inspector so I'm aware of being careful when it comes to taking measurements.

So I'm going to buy another key gauge and am looking for one that's sold in America. Any suggestions?

I've just gone to the store and bought another lock and am about to tear it down and put in the hopefully, correct pins. I have two locks I'll be changing so hopefully I can use the mispined lock, that's if I can get it fixed.

TIA

P.S. I guess I'm also looking for info about how to pick the lock that I put the wrong pins in. A tool or tools, etc. Really appreciate the help.

[jimu57]

I am going to stick with digital calipers. I can buy a set of those for about the price of the little credit card size decoder. I keep a list of depth and space of most common keys and also pinning info on my smart phone. I'll probably not use a decoder again.

[StumbleAndFumble]

Thanks jimu57: Since this isn't something I'm doing on a regular basis (after this experience it might be the last time ) I thought having a key gauge tucked away might be a good thing to have. The one that came in the little $12.00 US kit (a few tools and some pins) that I bought isn't very accurate.

I've just successfully finished re pinning the first of the two locks so right now I'm feeling pretty good. Hahaha

Cheers and thanks again everyone for your input.

[jimu57]

Thanks jimu57: Since this isn't something I'm doing on a regular basis (after this experience it might be the last time ) I thought having a key gauge tucked away might be a good thing to have. The one that came in the little $12.00 US kit (a few tools and some pins) that I bought isn't very accurate.

I've just successfully finished re pinning the first of the two locks so right now I'm feeling pretty good. Hahaha

Cheers and thanks again everyone for your input.

I sell practice locks on ebay. Most have a mini pinning kit. I hsve lots of pins. If you need more, tell me what locks you have. I can also cut a matching key.

[StumbleAndFumble]

Thanks jimu57: Since this isn't something I'm doing on a regular basis (after this experience it might be the last time ) I thought having a key gauge tucked away might be a good thing to have. The one that came in the little $12.00 US kit (a few tools and some pins) that I bought isn't very accurate.

I've just successfully finished re pinning the first of the two locks so right now I'm feeling pretty good. Hahaha

Cheers and thanks again everyone for your input.

I sell practice locks on ebay. Most have a mini pinning kit. I hsve lots of pins. If you need more, tell me what locks you have. I can also cut a matching key.

I've sent you an e-mail re the practice locks that you sell. FWIW I just checked and the "little kit" I referred to was actually, with S&H, just under $24.00

[ltdbjd]

Gauges work fine, but you can make mistakes that will give you an inaccurate reading. From my experience, they are caused by not having the key perpendicular to the gauge, having the key at an angle in the gauge, by not sliding the key far enough, or sliding it too far. Especially when the gauge is new, you might have to nudge it into the right place. If you force it, you can push it too far. A mistake I made a lot when I was new was reading the wrong number. When the key came a stop, I read it as the next deeper number.

[cledry]

I have always used calipers, I use dial type but some find digital to be easier. Key gauges are specific to a brand so not practical really.