Trouble with stuck pin in Best SFIC padlock

[Black85vette]

Having a problem with a vintage BEST 7 pin FSIC. This was a bargain find for $1. Been trying to pick it with no luck but I was just looking in the keyway and noted that the first pin was not fully into the keyway. I can push it back and it pops out to the same position about one fourth as far as the other pins. Since this came without a key I don't know if it was working when I got it but being stuck I likely can't pick it either. No damage in the keyway that I can see. Tried some lube, jiggle the keyway, bang it against some wood and flick it with a pick. Still can't get it to drop down into position. So, what are the options? This is no big loss but I might as well do something that I learn from. I don't need to put it into service and just got it to practice with. Any suggestions? I do have a milling machine and carbide end mills and drills.

[billdeserthills]

I would soak it in alcohol, in fact just putting alcohol in the keyway & working the stuck pin may allow it to move freely. Nail polish remover is a good substitute in a pinch

[Black85vette]

@billdeserthills; thanks for the tips.

UPDATE; after cleaning and some beating with a hammer the key pin dropped down enough to get a pick on it and pull it down. However the driver pin did not drop down with it. Some more beating and the driver pin dropped down also but both stick when pushed back up. They do not bind or stick when pushing. I am thinking the spring may be the issue.

[billdeserthills]

If that pin has remained stuck for a time, it can crush the spring & you would hafta replace the crushed spring to really fix it or at least drive the offending pin stack out of the cylinder

[demux]

A couple of things here.

The topic of this thread says SFIC padlock, but in the post you only talk about the core. This may be a silly question, but just to avoid assuming anything, is the core actually installed in a padlock or other device? I ask because if the core is loose or you can get it out of its housing, this is a very simple fix. As Bill says, all you'd need to do is remove the cap on that one chamber then eject the whole pin stack and repair/replace whatever is needed. If it's installed in a lock or other housing, getting it free to perform that work could be tricky, and you might have to destroy something.

While the most likely cause of the issue here is dirt/gunk/grime in the core, depending on exactly how it was combinated and how worn it is, it's also possible for a pin to go sideways inside the stack on those. I'd suggest a good cleaning and lubrication first, but if the upper pins (master/control/driver) in that stack remain stuck after that, it's possible that's what's going on here.

If you can post a good hi res close up pic of the situation, we may be able to spot other issues or give you some other ideas to try...

[blue60]

The core was installed in a lock and jammed to the point I could not pick it. After Bill's post I figured the only way to the spring was destructive since I have no key. I **Redacted** , pushed all the remaining bits of pins out and was able to rotate the control cylinder and pull the core out. I have no way to know for sure what the problem was since all the pins are now small bits of metal on the floor, but I can get a new core with keys and have a functioning lock. Interesting exercise since it was my first time into an SFIC lock.

[demux]

What you did was a good approach for that situation, but note that posting details of DE methods is not allowed on the open forums here. Not sure if this falls under that rule or not, but at some point a moderator may come along and snip some of the details out of your post.

[Black85vette]

What you did was a good approach for that situation, but note that posting details of DE methods is not allowed on the open forums here. Not sure if this falls under that rule or not, but at some point a moderator may come along and snip some of the details out of your post.

Ah. Already got edited. Noted and filed away to avoid in future posts. Tnx for the explanation. Sorry for the rookie mistake.

[Black85vette]

Update: found a new SFIC 7 pin core on eBay and got it installed. This lock is now back in operation and I have both keys for it.

[GWiens2001]

Update: found a new SFIC 7 pin core on eBay and got it installed. This lock is now back in operation and I have both keys for it.

Well done. We like seeing locks returned to operational condition.

Gordon

[Black85vette]

Well done. We like seeing locks returned to operational condition. Gordon

But it seems like a paradox to return a lock to operational condition by using such a violent destructive method.

[Raymond]

It only seems that way. Once you have tried all the other tricks it remained the only final solution. Don't let it bother you and just move on. You could have soaked it in a vat of penetrating oil, in an ultrasonic cleaner, for 6 weeks and still not have made any progress. Think about all the great tricks you have now exposed yourself to.

[demux]

When an SFIC core gets in that state where it's thoroughly inoperable, you can usually save either the core or the thing it's in but not both. In your case it sounds like what you did was the best choice. I'd encourage you to think of what you might do for the other way around. Sometimes you get a situation where you have an unusual/expensive core sitting in a perfectly vanilla mortise or rim housing that can be replaced for < $10 (assuming you can remove the housing from the lock assembly).

Can't post details here as it's the open forum, but you can probably see where I'm going. Both methods are useful tricks to know.