Help With Masterlock 150 brass!!!

[TheNewbie19]

hi, i recently got into picking, about 2 weeks ago. i first got a kwikset deadbolt, reduced it down to 1 pin, and started with paperclips. i got it pretty quick, got a basic set, and now i can reliably do it with 5 pins in about 30 sec. so, onto my problem. i just went to the hardware store looking for a good padlock to try. i picked up the 150 'cause it looked big and challenging. i have seen this lock, or the 140, opened in a video in about 4 sec. so i didnt expect much of a challenge, however, when i got my wrench in, and my pick in, it seemed like the pins were covered in glue! my pick just wouldnt move. in the kwikset they glided over the pins, but in the 150 only the s-rake can get to the back of the lock! so what gives? oh and also if this has to do with spool pins or mushrooms or whatever, please explain what that means, as i am a newbie. also is there a way to open up this lock to remove pins and whatnot?

Thanks for all your help,
TheNewbie

[master in training]

you might find something about it if you try searching, i dont know much about them.

a few things that may be causing the problems though;
1. you may be putting too much tension on the lock, meaning that the pins are very hard to move.
2. you may just have a very new lock that needs working in a bit, put the key in and out of it several times to try and losen it a bit.
3. it may need lubricating, DO NOT use oil, this will clog the lock, its really nasty, just dont do it! the best stuff to use is graphite, you can buy the spray specially for this job, or (so i've heard) get a pencil and colour in the key so that theres lots of graphite on it and put it in the lock and turn the key a few times and stuff to work it into the lock.

other than this im afraid i cant help, it is likely someone else will know mroe than me about this particular lock. i hope this at least helped a bit.


~ Master in Training ~

[TheNewbie19]

thanks, ill try lubricating and working in. i dont think it is too much tension because i was only resting my finger on the wrench.

[kodierer]

I haven't picked this particular lock, but the specs on it are that its just a standard 5 pin tumber. I would imaging that your applying to much tension. Also your feeler pick may have been cut too long(case with my jacknife set), and as M1's are small keys you don't have as much working space as you would with a kwikset. In my experience Masters 1, 3, and 5 are all very easy to pick though. Just ease your tension, and work at it. It might also help to puill your tension wrench half way out of the lock to provide more working room.

[kodierer]

[img]http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00004SQL8.01-A2N6NO8W19JCUN._PE4_SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg

[TheNewbie19]

thanks, ill try. even though i already shortened my tension wrench, ill try moving it out

[BrownDwarf]

Another possibility is that one of the near pins is sticking, probably at the shear line. If it's a high cut, the pick may have difficulty making it past the little fellow.

As for lubrication, the gang is strongly divided. Some prefer graphite, while others go for silicone or WD-40. You might want to search the threads for the reasoning.