Cylinder turns, bolt doesn't.

[schoolglutton]

For most of the locks I've picked, I've done it after purchasing a lock, taking it apart, and picking it. I started after my fascination with the mechanics. However, occationally I have a friend who locks themself out. Being able to pick the lock is nice for them, not only because it's interesting to watch, but also because they don't have to break one of their windows or wait hours on someone else with a spare key showing up. Anyway, my problem is that while I can get the cylinder to turn inside the case, the bolt doesn't always retract. I've picked a lock both clockwise and counterclockwise and it still didn't matter in some cases. This was so even after using something besides a tension wrench to turn the cylinder harder. Has anyone else experienced this?

[CaptHook]

Does the key open the lock? Reason I ask, if the plug turns all the way in either direction (stop to stop) and the bolt doesnt retract...... theres something wrong with the lock.
If the plug only turns a 1/4 of a turn..... different story, use a screwdriver to turn the plug. Interestingly, most of the time if a lock is stiff to turn, its because of poor installation. You can either pull or push on the door depending on which way its hung to relieve the pressure on the bolt/latch. Then it should turn freely.
Chuck

[schoolglutton]

This has happened three seperate times. One was recent on a new house door and there's no key for it. The other two times there was a working key. I could see the cylinder turn only 90 degrees for all three. Only one of the three locks I could pick both ways. Two of the three had the bolt on a spring, the other was a deadbolt. As you can imagine, I was quite confused as was the person whose door I was helping to get open as they saw the cylinder turn. I would check on my own door to see if something similar happened, but I live in an apartment complex and don't want anyone to draw in the typical associations of someone picking a lock. This hasn't happened every time I've opened a door for someone, but three times is enough to draw my attention.

[pretender]

Try it anyway - I don't think you'll have probs experimenting on your own door - hate to say it, maybe crossing some lines, but confidence, just doing your thing, and getting what you want done as fast as is reasonable - those are what count.

Now, in lock theory - if you pop the cylinder, it turns, and you're suddenly screwed - I dunno. Think about it like the key being in the cylinder - would it do the same? Learn why these locks will go with a key, but not mimicing one. Using a key becomes little different than a pick after you go past the shear line and the cylinder turns. It goes or it doesn't - so you must be proficient, or using insane amounts of force. Has to be something else in the lock - spring force seems likely, as stated before.

Anyway, if you want practice just go out and do it, keep your head on your shoulders, and actually have an explanation. ...and you either are good at it, or you don't need a reason...I think it's okay to post here.

Best of luck, and if you pay for that lock, then learn to compromise it, get real good, and hope no one comes along that knows better.

{edited by Varjeal: consider this your first and last warning. Please see forum rules in the FAQ section concerning discussion of illegal activity. Thanks.}

[BUNGYSTRAP]

I don't think encouraging criminal activity is the way ahead.

[quicklocks]

is the deadlock on the other side of the door
this would stop the plug turning all the way round

[schoolglutton]

I didn't get to see the other side of the door that wasn't a spring. I'll try to put these things together and next time if I come across it I'll try different things. I'll also be sure to take a look at a lock again when I have a key available. Thanks for the responses.

[Chucklz]

Everytime I've experienced this problem, its been a Kwikset lock, installed poorly at best. Sometimes you need a wedge or screwdriver at the bottom of the door to releive the bolt pressure.

[vector40]

Couldn't you just lift the door by the knob?

[Chucklz]

You could lift the door by the knob, IF a quality knob was installed by a competent individual. Trying that trick with, say, a Kwikset knob may result with you snapping the knob right off the door.

[raimundo]

I used to run into broken locks that only opened when the key got lucky while working for a former landlord of mine, the cheap deadlocks got to the condition where the tailpiece on the cylinder was not engaging properly except when you got lucky, so I just put it down to cheap equipment installed by people who did not understand the job, (I don't remember all the problems, in one case the tail piece just fell off, and in another it was cut so short that it didn't reach the bolt throw except when you got lucky, the tenant was used to it, so he put his key in and started rotating it maybe five times around. But recently, at a coffee shop, I asked for the restroom key, and couldnt open the door, I assumed that there was a barndoor bolt on the inside and someone in there who wouldn't answer, when I told the owner while returning the key, he said it was a tricky lock, and he took the samekey I had tried 3or 4 times and went and made it work. This lock was a ruswin/corbin (from the key) and a mortise lock. probably installed so that the cam was barely touching the piece it throws, and likely the brass cam was also wearing down.