Yale lock?

[Squelchtone]

Hello everyone! Glad to finally join a community and stop struggling though this sport myself. A little background about me, I've been attempting to pick locks as well as crack easy combo locks for roughly a year now. I've worked my way through every bike lock I've encountered, as well as every TRADITIONAL pin and tumbler lock I've encountered. I've found combos for 175's by making my own tools, I've opened American locks, a few Abus locks, as well as top of the line Master locks. I've had good success with Schlege and Kiwkset locks. I practice very often, and do my best to keep up with YouTube videos as well as new publications. I understand this resume isn't super impressive, however I'm attempting to supply [size=50][size=50][size=50][/size][/size][/size]a bit of background for my problem. I've recently encountered a Yale lock which was obtained by Golden 1 banks. It appears to be a simple 4 pin lock, and I have no indications that it contains and security pins. I'm having a huge problem opening it. The warding seems tough, and I'm having a hard time determining proper tension for it. I've attempted raking it a number of times, with very little success. Ive also tried my best to SPP it with a thin Peterson pick to bypass the warding. I feel I'm not getting very far. Has anyone ever encountered this lock before who can provide a bit if insight? This feels to be my kryptonite at the moment. Thanks and I'm looking forward to any replies!

[OrMeanGene]

Just looking at it id say try a standard hook and pick off the first ledge to left if facing the lock. Will leave enough room for bottom of the keyway tension. I haven't seen one before so no clue if security pins. Id try heavy tension first and feel it out. You will find out pretty quick if there's security pins. Maybe even try raking and see if you get a false set.

Seperate you need attach the pics with the .jpg extension, to show pictures in post.

[Raymond]

That lock is most likely just what the plate on top of the coin bank says it was - the take off door from an old post office box. It is the exact reverse of the common Y1 or Y2. You can find an Ilco 999R by buying it for a Cisa lock or Wally padlock, (European.) The original post office locks were usually 6 pin locks but had no security pins. The typical Yale keyway profile is a big pain in the neck as your pick doesn't move easily. Use the 'snap test' to count the number of pins. Try a pick gun or bump key. For single pin picking use the thinnest pick you have with a medium curve. Good luck.

[Gunnzo]

Awesome I'm gonna give it another try tonight. Appreciate the advice guys.

[Squelchtone]

Your door looks like this on the inside, this was my actual PO Box for a few years:

Make sure you tension to the left (counter-clockwise) or it wont open. and I think mine was 5 pin.

[Gunnzo]

Oh wow that's pretty cool, I had no idea it was an actual post office box door. Yep my friend who was allowing me to pick it hid the keys from me initially to give me a challenge, so I spent a good amount of time trying to pick it clockwise before I realized my mistake. I'm gonna keep at it, I'll post my results.