Picking a Schlage

[Scarecrow_7]

Hey, Im a newbie at lock picking and I just bought my first set of lock picks not long ago. I bought a cheap deadbolt and can pick it now pretty fast. I decided to try something harder and I bought a Schlage keyed entrance knob. I took out all but one pin set at first.
Its not like picking the deadbolt at all. The problem is that if I put hardly any torque on it, the pin seems to get jammed and wont move up at all. The only way I found to get it to work is push the pin all the way up, then put heavy torque on. By easing up on the torque the pin pops down into place and the knob can be unlocked.
Is there an easier way to do it? It seems it would be impossible for it to work with multiple pin sets. I also noticed that the top pins have a narrowed top on them that the spring fits over, unlike the deadbolt's pins.
I'd appreciate any help or advice.

[digital_blue]

First off, the method you described that did work for one pin is called reverse picking. Search the site for more information. You're right, it typically isn't terribly effective with all the pins in, but there are times that using that to set a pin or two can be helpful, so put that little trick in your pocket and save it for later.

As for actually picking this lock, if you only have the one pin in, and you apply light tension, all you have to do is slide the pin stack up until it hits the shear line and viola, the plug should turn. If you are finding that it is binding before you even move the pin up I promise you that you are using too much tension (even if it seems very light). That is a very common error amongst newbies. If you apply no tension, the pin lifts, right? Well then, apply an amount of tension that is somewhere between what you are doing now, and no tension at all. You may feel light friction as the pin slides up. This is good. When you hit the shear line it should just pop open. If you push up with too much force, you may cause the bottom pin to go past the shear line. At that point you could probably do the reverse picking thing, though for the moment I suggest you just drop the pins and start over.

I am totally leaving out the possibility that you may have one or more security pins in the lock because it is my assumption that, since you've taken the lock apart, you would know if you had that. If you've never actually taken the one remaining pins stack out, check that there are no security pins.

Hope this helps, and keep us posted on your progress!

Happy picking!

db

[Scarecrow_7]

Thanks for the advice. I'll keep at it.

[Kodack]

You might also find a small collection of masterlocks at your local hardware store to build your skill on. It's a good step up after your first deadbolt is mastered. Try a masterlock 140, and some cheap locks that have no name brand. That will help you figure out the differences in technique for a loose sloppy lock VS a tight lock with low feedback.

[Johnny P]

Actually, if you bought the lock at Home Depot, Lowe's or any other hardware store, every top pin in it is a half spool pin. Schlage changed their design on these knob locks about a year and a half ago or more and they now have a collapsible bible.

In order to still be able to use regular sized bottom pins and regular length springs with the new bible, they had to make the top pins so they would literally fit into the bottom of the special springs they had to make. This makes these locks more difficult to pick.

[samsee]

Howdy folks, another newby here. I too purchased a Schlage at Home depot to mess around with. I managed to open it on my first night, just kinda playing around with it, using a half diamond pick but havn't been able to pick it since. Primarily using a shallow hook pick. In a case of history repeating, I made myself a snap pick which I used to open the same lock fairly quickly, but again I am now stymied. Are there secuity issues with this lock? you mention that the top pins are half spooled, is there a technique to dealing with them? I know I probably just have to spend more time with it but I have probably spent several hours off and on so far.

[sublime progie]

just another question since it is sort of on topic. i bought a quickset deadbolt and ruined two of the springs so i can only have 3 at a time. is there any certaint order that anyone suggests. i would like to know the most productive if there is any difference.

thanks

[samsee]

Also: what is the "bible" that is being referred to?

[Romstar]

Also: what is the "bible" that is being referred to?

The "bible" is the upper section of the cylinder that houses the springs and driver pins.

Romstar

[samsee]

Thanks romstar!

[Johnny P]

By half-spool, I mean they basically cut off the top of the spooled top pin, leaving the bottom and narrow center of the pin. The narrow center of the pin slips into the bottom of the spring.

Because of this, when you apply tension to find the pin that binds, it is quite possible that the bottom of the spooled pin will catch and the pin will not rise to the shear line.

The reason the snap gun or pick gun works is that it raises all the pins at once and the tension wrench is only used to turn the plug while all pins are raised to the shear.

I don't know if I've explained this well enough, but I tried.

Schlage, at one time a short while ago, asked locksmiths to do an on-line survey of their products and return they would receive a pinning kit for the new lock. Basically, you got springs, top pins and spring caps.

[digital_blue]

By half-spool, I mean they basically cut off the top of the spooled top pin, leaving the bottom and narrow center of the pin.

How does this differ from a mushroom pin?

[stick]

[samsee]

Thanks, Johnny P. Any tips on finessing those pesky half spools?