Master 3 pin padlock

[kev160967]

Hi,
I'm interested in lock picking for fun, and so far have a few locks and padlocks I'm trying to learn on. One in particular is bugging me. It's a really simple little Master padlock, with 3 pins. Here's a picture of the lock and its key https://www.dropbox.com/s/mq3ggiw2c3fu2yt/2019-10-15%2021.27.34.jpg?dl=0. I found it and thought it would be a nice easy lock to learn with, but I'm struggling. I've picked it okay a few times, but failed many more times. Each time I've picked it I've not managed to figure out what I've done differently. I'm using a bottom of the keyway tension bar and a short/medium hook pick. I'm thinking it has a security pin in it, but I'm not sure what and how to deal with it. This is what typically happens. I'll start picking from the front and work to the back. I think I'm putting a fairly light pressue on it. Potentially the first two pins are binding as I go, though I've not really got the experience to be sure I'm not misinterpreting what I'm feeling/hearing. When I get to the third pin though, I suddenly get a large turn on the tension wrench, as though its opening, except it won't. Instead all of the pins seem to be locked in position and nothing will move. From what I've looked at on youtube this seems like a false set, but I'm not sure what to do about it. In some places I've seen you're supposed to move it beyond the false set, which will cause some of the other pins to drop and need to be set again. In others I've seen you're suppsed to slightly relax the tension. In terms of the first of these I can't do anything with any of the pins as they all feel bound solid. In terms of the second, the only thing that happens as I relax the tension is that I hear all three pins drop together. Can't seem to find an in between either, where the pins can be moved before they drop. Can anyone suggest what I should be doing?

Thanks,
Kevin

[kev160967]

https://www.dropbox.com/s/mq3ggiw2c3fu2yt/2019-10-15%2021.27.34.jpg

[GWiens2001]

One problem is that that lock, if it is the one I am thinking of, has an aluminum body. It feels different and the pins slide with more of a scraping feeling.

Gordon

[kev160967]

Thanks Gordon. I think that might explain some of what I've experienced. The pins don't feel very smooth, and sometimes seem to bind in different orders. I don't think that explains the sudden large tension change though, or does it? Would it be a combination of maybe a spool pin and the aluminium pins being more likely to bind off the sheer line? I'm trying to envisage in my head what is happening in the lock. Either way, it sounds like I should find another "easy" lock to work on!

Kevin

[GWiens2001]

That would explain the spool pin.

Gordon

[Rytanfan93]

I realize this is an old thread but I was wondering if you were able to pick this one open. I have several older Master 3 pin keyways that are restricted and the exact reverse of a Master #7 (same size). They are a bit challenging to SPP as well. Usually I deploy Rytan mini blue picks and lowest possible bottom of the keyway tension to open these. https://imgur.com/gallery/LvqUmhu.

[Rytanfan93]

the most frustrating part of SPP is over setting the pins on this one. Using the Micro profile pics and lowest possible BOK tension this can be avoided. If all else fails you can use a Nano Bogata I had to do this on the last one I acquired since I was convinced the lock was not operational.

[GWiens2001]

the most frustrating part of SPP is over setting the pins on this one. Using the Micro profile pics and lowest possible BOK tension this can be avoided. If all else fails you can use a Nano Bogata I had to do this on the last one I acquired since I was convinced the lock was not operational.

Switching to top of keyway tension will help a lot.

Gordon

[Rytanfan93]

TOK on this Master lock profile and size? Tried but did not seem viable. Can you Post pic? Thank you. Appreciated.

[GWiens2001]

TOK on this Master lock profile and size? Tried but did not seem viable. Can you Post pic? Thank you. Appreciated.

TOK takes practice. And there are different types of TOK wrenches. Many of us make our own to fit specific needs. My pick kit contains far more tensioners than picks.

Gordon

[Rytanfan93]

Indeed. Have you ever deployed TOK on this specific keyway/lock? Or are you speaking in general terms.

[GWiens2001]

Indeed. Have you ever deployed TOK on this specific keyway/lock? Or are you speaking in general terms.

Did you notice how my first response to you was about specific issues with the lock being aluminum and how it affects picking? I use TOK almost exclusively. And yes, I have used it on that specific type of lock.

Gordon

[Rytanfan93]

Indeed I did notice your reply to the initial post from another member, but would like to see you demonstrate TOK on this one successfully. Thank you for sharing.

[GWiens2001]

Indeed I did notice your reply to the initial post from another member, but would like to see you demonstrate TOK on this one successfully. Thank you for sharing.

My apologies for not noticing that you were not the OP. If I had one of these locks handy right now. Many of these lower end locks that I get come without keys. I make keys and pass them along to a thrift store that benefits a charity I believe in.

I am sorry that I don't know if I still have one of these locks, and don't feel like sorting through the hundreds - literally hundreds - of locks I have to see if I can find if I even still have one of them I've had to show that particular lock in TOK.

The most important thing to make TOK work is to make a wrench that fits snugly in the top of the keyway. That is why I have many more tension wrenches than picks in my every day kit. It can also help to use either a needle file or a pair of wire cutters to make notches to help grip the sides of the keyway to give additional grip so the tension wrench does not fall out as easily.

But even then, it takes practice. At first, I hated TOK. But as I got better at it, and saw how it helped me to be a better picker, I gradually changed over until over 95% of my picking uses TOK.

Gordon

[Darkhigh412]

TOK is the best way to get feedback.