Regular old Brinks padlock?

[Gomer]

I have a Brinks padlock im trying to open which was actually the first lock I did pick. I opened it a few times with no problem raking it and then I did the 2 locks on my door with no problem. Then when I went back to the padlock I havent been able to open it since. Just to describe the lock it is a Brinks with a M1 Key nothing special about it I can see its 50MM. I was wondering if maybe it had spools or secerity pins maybe and that I just got luck the first times I did it or if maybe I'm doing something wrong now I tried to rake it and I've tried to do pin by pin (I havent done pin by pin on anything yet as I didnt feel like doing my door locks out in the open for practice and haven't picked up another practice lock). Any advice would be greatly appreciated thanks in advance

[cracksman]

First of all welcome to the forum
I can't tell from your post exactly what you are up against, a pic would be helpful. I have a Brinks shrouded padlock with 6 pins a number of which are security pins. If this is anything like yours I'm not surprised if you are having trouble. Raking is a very important skill and I think a lot of people use it almost exclusively, some locks lend themselves well to it, others don't. I would strongly suggest buying the cheapest deadbolt you can find, take out all but one of the pins except one (the rear one the 5 pin on a 5 pin lock). I would then practice picking pin by pin, you will probably be most successful with a combination of both skills.

You may also want to practice closing your eyes and counting the pins with your pick pushing down each one as far as you can starting from back to front then front to back and try to visualize what is going on in there. I still go back to my easy beginners practice locks and find I can't open them and get really mad Then I calm dawn, have a beer*, and gently and methodically work my way through the pins...works every time

Good luck

* this statement made by the author should not be misconstrued as condoning underage drinking

[Gomer]

It isnt a shrouded I know that it really looks like a normal brinks padlock I will get a picture though if it will help but its as plain as can be silver colored w/ a blue BRINKS plastic across the bottom of it.

[Chrispy]

Then I calm dawn, have a beer*, ....* this statement made by the author should not be misconstrued as condoning underage drinking

Why? You underage cracksman? Tsk tsk tsk

[cracksman]

Nah, Chrispy, I wish I was though always seemed more fun that way

Gomer, sounds like it's probably pinned with normal pins, if you pick it pin by pin, and find that at some point your wrench is pushing back up at you then you've got some security pins, if not just keep practicing, you'll get it.

[Gomer]

Does anyone know how many pins this lock would have at least its a M1 Blank and I think im feeling only 3 but I wouldnt be surprised if someone told me if was 4 and I missed one in the back.

[funboy79015]

It probably has more than three pins. My guess is that it has 4 or 5 pins. There are several way to find out. If you have the key just count the flat spots on the key blade. Without the key you can push all the pins in with the back side of a half diamond and slowly pull the pick out while counting the clicks of the pins returning to their normal position.

There are spool pins in that lock (at least they advertise having them).

[Gomer]

thank god there are spool pins i feel alot better now.

[zekeo]

I'm 95% sure this lock does not have spool pins. It is a four pin lock. Is the cylinder spring loaded? If so, use the spring tension to figure out exactly how much tension you should be using. Increase tension right up until the cylinder stops moving.

I know how frustrating it can be to pick a lock and then lose your touch. As cracksman says (underage drinking aside) you really need to relax and lighten up your touch.

[Gomer]

im not 100% sure what you mean by spring loaded but im pretty sure it is not and according to http://www.lockcity.com/brinks/item.asp?target=19 i think it does have a spool? I am pretty certain thats the same lock I have.

[zekeo]

Hmm... well I have this same lock and it doesn't have any spools, but that's why I said 95% instead of 100... from that site it looks like it might. By spring loaded I just mean does the key twist back to the original position on its own or you you have to turn it back.

[Gomer]

It is spring loaded how do I use that to find the tension I need?

[zekeo]

Just gradually increase tension until the cylinder stops moving. In other words use just enough to bind the cylinder.

[cracksman]

Back to the basic rule- "pick the pin that binds"
You want just enough tension to make it a bit more difficult to raise one pin, as you slowly raise that to the shear line, pop, click, snap, whatever, will happen and you will find a new pin binds, repeat as necessary.

A couple of tips:

-some pins may actually not need to be set, if you find you are pushing a pin and it keeps going up and up, it may need to be very slightly bumped.

-don't make things more complicated then they are, and use a lighter touch, often in frustration we start to try to "force" the lock to open, to make this situation worse, it may work on cheap locks. Thus the invention of security pins. Learn early, a light probing touch will benefit you greatly later on.

-sitting there for hours pushing pins in is not the best way to learn...I think probing into a lock with a pick is a great way to get a feel for the pins, however, take it from me who learned the hard way. Pin by pin picking requires that you know what pin you are picking, what type of security that particular pin holds, what strategy you intend to employ on that pin, etc.

Sorry, I sometimes ramble, I have strayed from and come back to the basic point, which is...pick the pin that binds.

Good Luck

[Gomer]

Thanks guys this is helping alot I managed to open the lock on my backdoor last night using pin by pin and that was cool.