Emhart locking up?

[greengrowlocks]

I have given this Emhart a few attempts today. After picking the key will struggle to open the lock. If I reinsert the key a few times it will start to work again. I don't want to risk ruining the lock but would like to continue to work on it. My next step would be progressively pinning it.

I'm wondering if I run the chance of completely bricking this lock if I get it picked?

Hopefully this question doesn't belong in the advanced area, if it does please delete it.

[billdeserthills]

Have you squirted any lubricant in the lock lately?

[greengrowlocks]

Have you squirted any lubricant in the lock lately?

I haven't, but I'm pretty sure it's something to do with the drivers getting rotated and stuck.My other one does it as well. I remember reading that other people had this issue but IDK if it's always fixable by reinserting the key. I stopped trying to pick it today when it took 10 reinserts of the key to get it back to functional. I think it gets worse the more pins that get set.

[gumptrick]

Have you squirted any lubricant in the lock lately?

That was my thought. I don't own one of these (yet!) but I have studied the mechanism. I can't think of anything in there which could be expected to "bind up" unless it's for typical reasons, i.e. dirt, lack of lubrication, or the lock is severely worn. First thing I'd do is clean it & lube it.

[femurat]

The interlocking pins are designed to prevent picking. If they rotate slightly after you pick them, they don't interlock again and may prevent the plug from turning back to its normal position.
I'd be very careful.

Cheers

[GWiens2001]

Agree with Femurat.

You can remove the strip at the top of the lock where the pins are loaded and make sure all the pins are still interlocked.

Also, make sure that there is no galling or other damage to the keyway, pin channels, or pins. Once you have verified that there is no damage or debris, or fixed/removed any issues and cleaned the lock, then lubricant would be in order.

With most locks, I'd go for lube first. But Emhart is a different animal.

Gordon