A new lock for me

[sublime progie]

I just bought a padlock from ace hardware. it is story brand so i was thinking "whatever jsut something to play with to kill some time. so i took it apart so i could break it down and see what is inside. (it has a removable core.) lucky enough for me the screw to remove the core fit my allen wrench tension wrench perfect.

Anyways. i get it all apart and i find not one not two but 4 security pins out of the five that are in it. this is big trouble for me as i have not even picked one security pin that i am aware of.

First question: Any pointers for picking multiple security pins? I have read a few things about one security pin but not several.

Question B : right now i have the lock set up with only 2 pins: a regular driver and then the security pin next positioned from the front to the back of the lock. What would you guys suggest for someone that is just starting security pins, as far as positioning while i am adding pins

by the way, the pins are like a serated spool. the top and bottom of the spools are serated.

any help is appreciated i am kinda overwhelmed by all the new pins.

[digital_blue]

First question: Any pointers for picking multiple security pins? I have read a few things about one security pin but not several.

Yes, find what works for one security pin. Repeat.

Question B : right now i have the lock set up with only 2 pins: a regular driver and then the security pin next positioned from the front to the back of the lock. What would you guys suggest for someone that is just starting security pins, as far as positioning while i am adding pins

You pretty much can't do this wrong. Best to add pin stacks next to each other as opposed to leaving spaces. If you've filled chambers 1 and 2, do 3 next, etc.

Happy picking!

db

[Wolf2486]

As for your first question. Picking multiple security pins is not as difficult as you think as long as you know how to set one security pin.

As for your second question. As long as you know where it is you can put the security pin anywhere; however, I recommend at the first pin because you can't overset the other pins while trying to set the security pin. A common problem or so I'm told.

[cracksman]

Hey sublime, I've got ACE hardware here in Massachusetts and I'd love to see a pick of your lock so I can get one, I'm just starting to take a look at security pins, but I'm ready to throw my Abus diskus through the wall keep us posted on how its going. I also ordered a pick set "Navigator", anybody here of them? One of the picks is made for spool pins apparentlly, it should arrive tomorrow or the next day- I'll post a review.

[Wolf2486]

If it is the Brochage Navigator set then yes, I have a set. However, to my knowledge, none of the picks are meant for spools. There are all kinds of hooks in the set, some Mul-T-Lock picks and an akward hook pick that is bent at two angles. A small sawtooth rake and another double sided rakes. One ball pick for wafer locks and finally one hook with a notch in it. This may be what you're talking about; however, it is too fat to fit inside an average lock.

No special tool is needed for security pins, just practice.

[cracksman]

Thanks wolf, I didn't think you needed anything speacial. How is the Navigator set? I think I ordered the same thing-does it have funky handles?

[Æoelweard]

The ACE locks that have spools say so on the back of the package. I've tried a couple and was disappointed on how easily I got them open. I'm not sure if the locks just have a lot of slop in them or what, but it seems like only two of the spools ever really false set.

As for getting multiple spool locks open, just remember that if it feels like the cylinder turned to far, you hit a spool and need to back off tension while pushing the last pin you set in. Once you set it properly you can rinse and repeat.

[sublime progie]

cracksman

the lock i am referring to is all composed of hardened steel. there is one jsut like it in a brass make. my camera is broken or i would send a pick. the cnamber of the lock is rather larger than anything else at my store and it is about 38 bucks

[kitbearuk]

You are Having difficulty in picking a cylinder with 3 mushroom(Spool) pins!, I had that problem a few years ago but I soon found a way around them, I have just picked an Abus 34CS which has 5 mushroom pins and I popped the cylinder in under 5 minutes .

I discovered that if You trip the kingpin and trip the mushroom pins, With a "Double Half Ball" pick and massage the pins with little tension; You could easily set the pins on the shear line with little pressure on the pins, A flaw perhaps, Hmm.

Upon Dissassembleing the cylinder I found that with the combination of the spring, top and bottom pins had very little travel inside the pin chamber, Also the pin chamber walls have been milled too close together.

Would You call this a secure lock, Personally I wouldn't, Just because a cylinder has several anti-pick pins; You shouldn't be reluctent in making an attempt.

A lock is only unpickable to the person who does not succeed or even make an attempt.

Abus 41, 34CS and discus are easy when You know how, Keep practising Young padawan, You will learn when the time is ripe!.

Just kidding.

Happy picking all.

[sublime progie]

Well the time couldnt be ripe any sooner. unfortunately, I was trying ot start with just one pin stack and adding more, and my girlfriends mom accidently threw away all the other pins. i am currently working on an american 1205f so hopefully i will get this thing soon. i think i am starting to get a little closer.

I havent run into any mushroom pins yet but i will remember the half 8ball trick.

[vector40]

This Corbin I have here has been driving me nuts... I was pretty sure that it had a security pin, but I'm not exactly skilled with them, so I finally disassembled it. Check it out -- every top pin is a spool. Also, the bottoms are all filed, and the front two galleries have ball bearings -.- What a mess.

[sublime progie]

Scary music plays AHHHHHH!!!

[cracksman]

Wow, my last post on this subject was almost 2 months ago, it is amazing how much I've learned
One of the nice things about security pins is that once you hit them you know all other pins are set. I am actually getting to the point where I prefer them. The big thing is not to get intimidated, the key to them is the proper tension. I find that sometimes my wrench will literally fall out because I have lightened up a little too much.

I spent about 2 weeks using the add a pin method, and after 4 pins I was shot. IMHO, keep your #1 top pin non-security, serrated is fine, but for alignment no spools, shrooms, etc. Unlike adding pins, I would use a standard 5 pin setup swapping out spools for regular pins 1 at a time. I would start with a Kwikset type deadbolt and slowly adding security pins until you get to 4 plus the regular 1 pin.

Vector, you just killed my theory about always having 1 standard pin for alignment -good to know though

[sublime progie]

I know there has been alot of posts on americans, but if anyone knows anything about the 1205f, or am i just out of my league right now

[vector40]

Well, I'm not sure this was exactly pinned by the most conscientous locksmith. The filing doesn't bode well for that, and most of these are sort of trashed anyway.