I am not sure if it’s a tough lock to pick or just hard for my experience level.
I am reasonably comfortable with the $12 spent.
I am definitely trying to perform above my weight class, this should help me develop some.
On another quick note, I (kind of) opened my first two 6 pin locks and (kind of) my first security pins over the weekend (Master 6000/7000B and a Weiser), I included a spool and a serrated pin in the smaller Master. I got the smaller one, once, with an element of luck early in the morning after giving up the night before. The other I can pick (repeatedly, but not easily). I also read “Visual Guide to Lock Picking” (not very useful) and “Practical Lock Picking” (much better). Overall, I consider that a productive weekend.
I have not had success with this TRU lock, but think I’m getting closer.
I have no idea if it will take me days, weeks, months…or how often I will pick it up and give it serious effort in the immediate future.
I do think I have come close a few times (2 or 3 obvious, incremental, plug rotations) but it’s hard for me to say with certainty.
Anyone ever seen one of these, or know anything about it?
If there’s a “simple bypass”, please don’t give it away, I am still exploring.
My inexperienced notes so far.
-This thing has strong pin springs.
-It takes force to turn the key.
-Weighs nearly 800 grams (over 1 & ½ lbs)
-Probably a spool (or similar) in #4, maybe another somewhere.
-Probably serrated (or similar) pins in most or all others.
-No easily discernible binding order.
-The first pin will “self-set" or false set with no tension on the plug, no tension tool inserted at all (just lifting it will cause the key pin to drop and trap the driver).
-Another pin may get trapped on it's own like that, shaking the lock does sound like a key pin is sliding "up & down", it could be another part in the lock too.
-I swear I can go minutes without setting a single pin, other times I set 3 or 4 of them “noticeably, quickly” (probably false sets).
-I swear once there were 6 distinct loud clicks when I released tension on the plug (is this pins ticking on serrations).
-It looks like the brass was ground on asphalt being dragged behind a truck.
-I think the oxidation on one of the keys shows the sweaty fingerprint of the person who packaged it.
-There’s a “spring pin/button” (hopefully not mechanically related to any other security feature) to “prevent” rotation of the plug without a "key" depressing it(I think, easily dealt with).
-Apart from the security pins & button, I don’t think there’s any other “extra” security features.
-I have no idea if I am encountering security features, "lesser quality" craftsmanship, both or just realities of the design features.
-The straight shackle can be easily shimmed and slipped out.
-I can feel/hear/reach a spring through the keyway, I can’t feel any mechanism there. I don’t really know what to feel for and if/when I do, I fear the strength of the springs could break any tool that tried to turn something.
-Every once in a while, all the pins seem trapped/stuck, "impossible" to raise, so far I can’t tell what this is related to, the plug doesn't seem to have as much play as some do. Probably alignment of the pins and sharp edges? Overall quality of the craftsmanship? All serrations sticking in line?
I'm tempted to put this in a press and slip the brass from the plated cover to see more of it, but feel I must pick it first and not take it apart if that would be frowned upon.
If anyone has any thoughts or information they wish to pass on, feel free, I need all the help I can get.
