Brinks Shrouded Shackle Padlocks

[ondrovic]

i just picked up one of these at walmart for $12 http://www.lockcity.com/brinks/Products2.asp?target=Shrouded%20Shackle%20Padlocks

i did a search but could not find to much information. Anyone have any tips for picking these locks? Seems to have a dual cylinder plus it seems that the tension wrench locks so that there isnt much control over it. Or am i just doing something wrong?

I looked here http://www.lockpicking101.com/viewtopic.php?t=1169&highlight=shrouded+shackle+padlocks

On a lighter note i did pick one of those new maximun security schlage grade 2 deadbolts in under 10 mins

[SFGOON]

I've got one of those, and the keyway in conjunction with the MACSed out pinning makes it an SOB. I can't get the pins to set on this thing at all, it's really a hard lock to pick.

[raimundo]

I have that one also, the trick is that it is a very light turning tension, and when you are under the spool pins of which there are probably at least three, you will see the tension wrench handle go into reverse more radically than on other spool pins I have picked, so I assume the undercuts are deep. At first this lock held me up a great deal, but now I have picked it about a 100 times, ( I just keep picking it because its the best lock I have for challenge. except for a euro laser cut type from switzerland that jimmie sent me, which is too much of a challenge to get any fun out of. Well some day i will probably get it too and then work it a lot.)
You should sand your pick shafts and tips to shiny smooth, so that you do not scrape off too much keyway or pin while working on this, but just hold it with the lightest tension possible, perhaps use a rubber band at 0 stretch, when this thing gives, it goes so easliy, because the tolerances are loose, you can see the plug move. with this very light tension on it, start at the back of the keyway, and lift each pin as you come out, you should quickly see the plug turn to about 15 degrees, then work from the front back in and get under each pin and tap it lightly up, some of the spools will set, you will see the tension lever reverse and the spool will set,
When I first started getting this lock to open, it was the five pin that seemed to break last, but now its the two pin. with the tolerance in the cylinder-plug gap, this probably has to do with whatever bias is induced by the tensor blade.
Since overlifting seems to be about binding high and then exploiting the cyllinder-plug gap by wiggling the plug with the low cut key to let the pins climb down, this might work on this lock too, but as you can see looking into the keyway, there are serrations on the bottom pins. I think the effect of these is negligible, don't let them scare you. If you can pick at this lock for 15 minutes without ever going to any more than slight tension and I mean so slight you will find it hard to believe, (turn the key, that should prove the light tension if you have a key, my copy was given to me without a key.) I think your lock will pop open, or you are using the wrong tool. I have done it with a smooth and shiny hook and also with a steep diamond, both of them sanded very smooth. At first I prefered the steep diamond, because you can get under a pin and easily go back and forth, camming it up and over in both directions, but the hook was also easy to use so its hard to state a preference. If your hook is some huge southord prypin, you should probably make a smaller hook. hooks are just about the easiest shape to make if you have any metal stock. jsut work the top of the shaft and the inner curve until you have what you want, then reduce the back of the shaft and the outer curve to size. Sand smooth.

[Exodus5000]

Raimundo pretty much said it all, i'll just slather on some of my filth though. I have three of these, every pin stack but one has spool pins. And every top pin is serrated. This is quite a daunting pick job for those reasons. I find if you can find the pin stack that doesn't have a spool pin and set that pin usually the plug will turn soon there after when you hit a spool pin. Then it's just a matter of setting the spool pins, ray described how to do that pretty well.

These locks are pretty tough, but you feel pretty good once you pick them, keep at it - they're probably the best picking security wal-mart carries.

[ondrovic]

thanks for the help i will try what you have mentioned

[vector40]

Anyone know what keyway is on these?

[zeke79]

I believe it is an am4 keyway.

[cracksman]

I belive I have the same lock and the same problems
One thing I just figured out about 5 minutes ago may be helpful to you, or not
(i'm using a Southord Slimline hook for this)
With the pins on top I have my tension wrench resting at about 345 degrees and a 1/16 allen wrench slid into the keyway at 195 degrees (after I inserted my pick) what I have found is the allen wrench essentially buffers my pick keeping it from sliding down the angle to the left. I can now use the base of the upper part of the keyway and the allen wrench and I can feel much better feedback from the pins. Of course I'm no closer opening the lock

P.S. 180 degrees is the left horizon, 0 degrees is the right-this may be a common trick that many people are aware of, I just have'nt seen it posted, if it's common knowledge, sorry to take up your time. Let me know if you get it though, o.k?

[cracksman]

LOL, looked at my post-get the lock open I mean

[vector40]

Any chance you could take a picture of that setup, cracks?

[stick]

He's basically putting something in the keyway that he can pivot his pick on.

[zeke79]

I have on my site a short video of myself picking one of these locks. I dont know if it will help out much, but you can see the action of the tension wrench while the spool pins are being picked. You can find it at http://nickz.homeunix.com . The username is lockpicking and the password is 101. The password is 101.

[stick]

Glad to see you decided to open it up again. Is this a permanent thing, or just for now?

[stick]

My bad, saw the other thread with the poll.

[stick]

zeke, what pick did you use? Looks like a Peterson plastic grip pick, but I couldn't tell which pick, as your finger was covering the tip when you inserted it in the lock.

Just watched that video though, and it's the greatest video by far on the ftp. Demonstrates very well the process of picking spool pins, and it's a nice, calm, precise picking.