Lubrication vs. Tension

[petemoss]

I have cleaned and lubricated one of my locks at this point. While the mechanism moves much more smoothly, I have not had any success with picking the lock. This is probably just because I am in above my skill level. However, this has got me wondering about something. If you lubricate a lock, does it affect the tension you need to apply to effectively pick the lock?

Does lubricating the lock:

A) Reduce the tension needed because things slide into place much easier.
B) Increase the tension needed because things slide out of place much easier.
C) No effect
D) Some other 4th thing

Thanks,
Petemoss

[GWiens2001]

A

Gordon

[petemoss]

Thanks Gordon. That is what I was expecting.

After cleaning and lubing a few locks now I am experiencing the same odd thing. My cleaning products may not be ideal, but I have been using what I have on hand. I spray the lock out with Paslode Degreaser Cleaner (which is used to clean the filth and carbon out of gas fired Paslode nail guns). I let that drain and then dry. Then I spray some Aero Kroil lubricant, which is a lubricant but really made for freeing up seized hardware as the oil will supposedly migrate into gaps as small as 1 millionth of an inch. I then clean this up as best as I can.

After this treatment, the locks function very smoothly with a key. Trying to pick them though I run into the issue that all of the pins almost function too smoothly. Even with a lot of tension, all of the pins move smoothly. It's like I can't (with my inexperience) detect any binding pins. They just all move smoothly under spring tension. Now, if I happen to do the right one it will click into place, but it is a guess as to which pin I should be working on next.

Any thoughts?
Thanks,
Petemoss

[GWiens2001]

After one pin clicks, check the other pins. Find the binding pin, and do that one. Wash, rinse, repeat.

Gordon

[pemlock]

If nothing else binds, you might have pushed a pin too deep, i.e. overset it. Carefully releasing the tension can sometimes make it pop out again, but in the worst case you'll have to start over again.
When I have a key, and a lock is extremely dirty, I usually gut the lock and clean it that way instead. I know some think it's cheating to gut it before you have picked it, but I make an exception in this case. That way you really get all the dirt out, without filling it with cleaning and lubrication stuff, you can get it nice and dry, possibly with just a minimum of oil.
(Only works for "guttable" locks of course, with most padlock that's not possible. Then I just let them sit first "pins up", and then upright for a day or two to let all the goo seep out.)

[petemoss]

Thanks Gordon and Pemlock.

When learning to play pool and practicing for league play there are all kinds of drills that you can do for practice. However, there is one method that many people agree is the best. It is called HAMB or Hit a Million Balls. After you have done that you will have developed the muscle memory and subconscious intuition needed to make most shots.

I have a feeling that I just need to pick a million locks.

-Petemoss

[GWiens2001]

Petemoss, I really like that HAMB term.

Bruce Lee, possibly one of the best martial artists, said something like “I am not concerned with the person who has practiced a thousand punches ten times. I am concerned with the person who has practiced one punch ten thousand times”.

Gordon

[petemoss]

Haha, that makes a lot of sense. Plus, I'd never tell Bruce that he was wrong!