Practice locks for spool pins.

[stormdot5]

I'm trying to find an easier practice lock for spool pins.

I started with some of the locks from lock-lab.com and managed to pick an Abus 55/40 a couple of times. I'm finding the small keyway size difficult. It seems like I'm introducing other forces by pressing on the keyway with the back of the pick, or holding it at a difficult angle when I really want to try to get a feel for just the pressure on the pins and tension tool. Can anyone recommend a good lock for learning spool pins on with a larger keyway?

Thanks.

[tpark]

The American padlocks are good for spool practice - they typically have serrated pins too, so if you're starting out you can go with one serrated (in a known position) and once you get a false set, pick the spools. The brass Master locks like the 140 (I think) have spools, but are not rekeyable. I have a CISA 220/60 which is good, 4 spools and 1 standard (I think), it gives good counter rotation, and has a full size Yale Y1 keyway but it can't be easily rekeyed either. The beauty of the American padlocks is that they have a wide open keyway, and can be disassembled and configured with fewer pins. Lockout padlocks can be obtained fairly inexpensively too.

[Squelchtone]

This ebay seller is in my area, I don't know him personally but he sells affordable cutaways on ebay:

Here is one with spool pins:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/322220944076


Here is a whole kit with spool pins and regular pins, which is I believe made and sold by our very own member jimu57
http://www.ebay.com/itm/162279521946



Squelchtone

[dhk42]

A generic Kwikset cylinder pinned with spools is a nice easy way to get a feel for the feedback you get and it has a huge keyway and is super cheap.

I don't know of anyone selling such a practice lock, but they are easy to repin. You may already have the spools, so all you need is something to use as a follower.

David

[jimu57]

Thanks for the plug Squelchtone. Unfortunately, that one isn't mine. Someone has cloned mine. I had some mortise Kwikset cylinders a while back. I do have a few Sargent LA keyway on ebay. Very wide open keyway. 6 pin mortise cylinder. Easily repinnable. But, if you are interested, send me a PM. I make a better deal on here than on ebay and also give a percentage of sales back to the forum. If you interested in something else, I have lots of cylinders that I can convert into a practice cylinder. Here is the ebay link.http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sargent-LA-6-pi ... SwImRYPdt5

[MiPo]

I really like the ABUS and ISEO euro locks with the YALE style keyway. The keyway is not too bad but requires some attention though. They have spools and are usually not too hard to pick. Especially ISEO is very talkative. The ABUS has also other security pins but nothing crazy.
Here some pointers to the guts: https://youtu.be/BuLZzZ9tht4?t=311, https://youtu.be/HRl15kGefzs?t=529

Bye,
Michael

[Shackle Jackal]

I advise not using Kwikset to make a practice lock, or if you do happen you use one make sure that it is a newer lock. I had a bad experience with a super old Kwikset that I had picked up from Habitat for Humanity to use as a practice lock, the lock was so worn the tolerances were a joke.

[MiPo]

I agree with the tolerances. To have spools is one thing but to have the fun of the need to precisely set them is another thing.
If tolerances are bad you will not learn much as it's easy to set the spools and you're done. But there is more to learn with spool than to allow the counter rotation. If tolerances are tight you will face the following challenge: Plug does not fully turn back on picking a spool and you need to help the counter rotation manually (e.g. Burg Wächter Gamma or Diamant), oversetting the spool, and most commonly other pins drop when setting the current spool and then you need to hunt again for the false set.
Also if you use a quality cylinder like a SARGENT and throw spools in, please make sure that the spools have the same diameter (the thick part) as the original pins, else it's not realistic.

BTW: I'm currently having a great time playing with a Ingersoll/TALON oval cylinder 6 pins that has spools and needs just the right tension to get the spools set.

Bye,
Michael

[Temple]

If you can find an American 5200 lock with the key you can open it and take the pins out and move them around for practice. I have seen these locks with 0-5 spool pins. Also a mix of spools and serrated pins. The key way is a little tight but not to bad for beginning.

[Moses057]

My post from a different thread might be helpful
viewtopic.php?f=8&t=64102#p479453
The lock lab link at the bottom has info on a bunch of locks

[GWiens2001]

From the same thread,

I still heartily recommend MrWizard's practice lock.

You send him a PM here, as he is a member, and he gives excellent support. Bet he'll even work a deal.

Gordon

[jimu57]

Mr. Wizard includes a 5 page booklet. Very nice.

[tpark]

From the same thread,

I still heartily recommend MrWizard's practice lock.

You send him a PM here, as he is a member, and he gives excellent support. Bet he'll even work a deal.

Gordon

Yep - this is a good way to go, you can start with an easier configuration (say 1 standard, two spools) and work your way up from there. I have a couple of Mr. Wizard's locks and they're really good for practice. If you have an American padlock, you can try progressive pinning with that, but you have to be very careful with reassembly. If you're going to buy Mr. Wizard's lock, buy directly so he doesn't have to pay eBay fees.

--Ted.