Pick Resistant Padlock Follow Up

[dwkbb]

I wanted to follow up on topic I posted this weekend. I got several relpies, but was unable to respond. I think there was something goofy going on with the system.

Thanks to everyone who replied. I bought a padlock labeled as "pick resistant". I was able to open it once by jiggling a pick, but couldn't get it again. I though there was really something to the claim of pick resistance until I used a homemade snap gun. With the clicker, I can open it very quickly. I quess it takes less skill with a snap gun, but I wonder if that's just the way it is with different locks?

[tastyfish]

Try less tention, it's usally the case with inexpreienced pickers, chances are it would have mushroom/spool pins of some kind. Thats usally what they use when they say that (in my exeprience anyways) it's just a bad sales pitch that attracts anyone that doesn't understand how locks work.

[dwkbb]

I'm not sure if it has spooled or mushroom pins. The package claimed that the pick resistance was because of brass cylinders. I haven't been able to figure out what that would do, unless the metal is softer and would make it more difficult to set all of the pins. Just a wild guess. Anyway, the snap gun works great, although I must say that it is not as satisfying as picking.

[master in training]

brass cylinders?? correct me if im wrong, but i thought most of the lock was made of brass?

[tastyfish]

The cylinders arn't usally brass, although I have about as many ones with brass then with out. (to be honest, I don't actually know what they usally use.) But it has never changed how hard it was to pick, I have a hard time beleiving that thats what it is. the brass would just make it rust proof, thats why it's used on the outside of most locks.

If you have the key, open it up and check the pins.

[skold]

The cylinders ARE usually brass.

[tastyfish]

Please leave our peddy bickering out of the forums, I am going to so for everyone else's sake dont.

[skold]

umm, i really don't think saying that cylinders are usually brass is "bickering"

[Flo]

Wel;, this is my first read post but in my experiences when a lock is labled pick resistant in most cases will have a mushroom pin or two (Or more), so try putting on some heavy tension and lift one pin at a time and see if it clicks diffently, release and try on another pin, work out where the security pins are and then pick it with an image in your mind.

Anyhoo, thats how I do it...

[dwkbb]

I have found, just like I have read many times, that the secret is the amount of tension. But with the lock in question, it is not just light or heavier tension but variable tension which works. The pin cylinders must be offset a bit or the tolerances vary.