Why won’t my tubular pick work?

[dillonc252]

Bought a southord 7 pin tool. Have a tool box I was trying to open with it. Was practicing with the lock they provided with the kit and no matter how little or how much tension I put on the pins with the adjustable thumb wheel, I have pins that line up, and some that overset or never make it to the shear line. I push the pins out as the instructions state and push them onto a flat surface to have them all equal before attempting to pick the lock. Even checked the set screw, tightened it and backed it off 1/2 turn per the instructions. What am I doing wrong? Please help

[billdeserthills]

If the feelers are dragging, I like to spray a little lube on them. Don't use anything that eats rubber o rings. After a spray, move the feelers in & out a few times & try again

After each unsuccessful try, I like to wind the tension higher-- Some locks just won't open without more attention

Have you spayed lube into the lock?

[dillonc252]

I put some lube on the pick but I got the same results. If I single pick the lock, it seems the tension varies a lot from pin to pin in the lock, like there are different strength springs in each pin. I have not sprayed any lube in the lock though. Are there some tubular locks that just cannot be defeated with a impression tool?

[GWiens2001]

There is a trick to using one of the picks. Almost an art to setting the tension correctly. Also, the better locks have different spring tensions for the pins to make it harder to use one of the tubular picks.

Gordon

[dillonc252]

After playing with the practice lock some more, and adjusting the tension to almost all the way tight on the tool, I was able to pick the lock. Seems like some of the advice on tension being on the lighter side would not work. Thanks for the help everyone. I’m always open to some more lock picking tips if anyone has any suggestions