got a old lock(Miller six lever)

[kiko187]

been trying to pick this bugger for a few years!!

anyone got any ideas on a direction I should go with picking this thing?

I have been using a regular pick set, but does this thing call for a special tool?

its a matter of pride at this point...

here's pics:

[Chucklz]

My knowledge on lever locks is quite sparse, so what follows may be completely unhelpful. The shape of the keyway leads me to beleive that this is a "two sided" lever lock. To me this suggests thtat there are three levers on each side, with matching bittings. I would look to decode one side, and then generate a key.

[toomush2drink]

From the look of it there is a pin to the right above the keyway, that looks like where the levers pivot so most likely it need to turn in a clockwise direction. Have you tried 2 wires yet or even one L shaped wire to have a feel around inside ?

[Hottrod42]

your question about your miller lock , there is a picture of your lock and key inthe aol members area. if you would like to see what the key looks like ,it is double sided Keep a smile on! you can also go to google type in your quirie to find it

[kiko187]

I'm not a guy that needs to be spoonfed, but google IS my bestfriend, sometimes you have to be REALLY specific to get it to show you what you want...

have tried "miller" , "miller lock" , "miller padlock", "six lever" miller, "miller lever" lock, miller padlock keys, and those are the ones that were the most productive....

I'll try slipping into AOHelL to see whats up in there, thanks for the lead.

[mandrake]

answer to picking the miller six leverpadlock is just a pick that is shaped like an L of course with a handle on it. It needs to be a little heavy duty so you should make it out of a piece of coat hanger. the 90degree bend at the tip should be just a hair less in height than the top slot, so it will go in easy. Also the tip needs to be flattened out for a thinner wider blade. Next just insert the pick in the top slot , another words the slots should be vertical with lock with the tip pointing upwards jiggle it around just slightly while you turn clockwise and as soon as you feel it engage the levers just keep turning it should open. the width of the blade end should not be wider than the depth of the lock. Good Luck!

[raimundo]

I have made keys for some of these old locks, expect one ward that requires a deep cut in the key. If you try mandrakes picking method, keep in mind that the shackle is held on the open end by three levers in each of two cuts in the shackle tip, the cuts are on opposite sides of the shackle tip, I believe that for picking, some pulling on the shackle could be necessary, you shouldn't dedicate one of your hands to this, just put the shackle over a hook and pull on the body of the lock as you pick, this will tend to keep any picked levers from slipping back into the locked position as you move on to other tumblers.

[raimundo]

I have made keys for some of these old locks, expect one ward that requires a deep cut in the key. If you try mandrakes picking method, keep in mind that the shackle is held on the open end by three levers in each of two cuts in the shackle tip, the cuts are on opposite sides of the shackle tip, I believe that for picking, some pulling on the shackle could be necessary, you shouldn't dedicate one of your hands to this, just put the shackle over a hook and pull on the body of the lock as you pick, this will tend to keep any picked levers from slipping back into the locked position as you move on to other tumblers. pick all six levers, three of which are above the keyway, and three are on the unhinged side of the lock beside the keyway. feel out the keyway or look in it with a light or otoscope to locate that ward which you will have to work under. consider that the outer part of the lock case is a ward, the inner ward is like an inner case hiding one or two of the levers.

[mandrake]

I had forgotten that sometimes these old locks get pretty gummed up over time and that you may beable to open it with the bang method,at the top shoulder of the lock where levers engage the shackle.Another note, some of these padlocks will open by picking or even just levering three out of the six levers back. top or bottom of the lock it really doesn't matter. Again Good Luck!

[kiko187]

soaked in wd-40 for months and banged like my ex while I was outta town ...


I have used ground alan wrenches for the most part , because of strength, but I have also tried dental pics just to feel just what is in there, begining to think that maybe I am going to have to open it up and see that there is a snapped piece at just the WRONG place.

Till then ... off with my sanity!!!