Problem with Pin un-setting

[tydirian]

So I have one of my locks (the kwikset I just bought) and I have all 5 pins it it. I can set pins 1,2, and 4. At this point 3 is real loose so I set #5. When i go back to set #3, 5 is popping up. No security pins in the lock. So I have two questions.

Any idea on how to keep this from happening (any ideas what I am doing wrong)?

What makes the lock do this?

[zekeo]

It sounds like you need to adjust your tension. It's possible that you should set 3 before 1,2, or 4, but with the kwikset's low tolerances the specific pin order is not as important. Try varying your tension more, with a little more after you set 5.

If pin 3 really should have been picked first, pushing it up would make the plug rotate in the opposite direction of picking, causing other pins to unset.

Have you tried the lock with fewer pins in it yet? Take some out (maybe the offending #5) and see what you can do. Try different combinantions and different tensions to develop your feel.

[vector40]

You might try increasing tension.

[SFGOON]

Increase the tension slightly

[tydirian]

I have been picking two of these with various numbes of pins and varying pin order for a week or so. I will try adding some tension when I get to the last couple of pins and seeing if pin #3 will set first. I have been banging away on the lock a lot this week so it is possible I have damaged it as well. I will pull it apart and inspect it to see.

Thanks for the input.

[Hojo]

Try picking it in a different order and vary tension

If the same thing happens, open the lock (with a key, I hope you have one) and look for any damage, if not, repin it and try again, if its still the same, send a letter to dolly doctor becuase she can help you as much as I can after those experiments...

[NKT]

It might be that you are putting a torque onto the plug which is unsetting the set pin. Or it might be that as you try to push the pin you are pushing it at an angle, which untorques the plug, and resets the other pin.

Another chance is that the pin you are setting first is a slightly smaller diameter than the next pin, which, if the holes are slightly different to enhance this effect, can lead to those two pins never remaining set, as pushing the bottom wider pin up will always unset the narrower bottom pin.

Or it could be a security pin - how do you know there are none?

[tydirian]

No security pins. I have taken it apart so I have verified that visualy. I like the pin diameter theory. I will have to take it back apart and see if that is the case. It makes perfect sense.