Need help re-picking this padlock US# 3979931

[The KeyMaster]

Hello everyone. When I got my pick set in the mail last week, the first lock I tried was an old padlock we used to lock the bars on the windows. The keys were lost a long time ago and now posed a fire hazard, so I got to pick it off to put a new one on.

It is a standard looking padlock, but the plastic part with the name fell off. I think it was a Brinks lock from a search I did here on the patent #: US #3979931. After about 20 minutes I finally got the lock off, but only after raking it. Using the pick I can clearly feel that there are 4 pins in this lock, and I can easily manipulate any one of them. After raking, the lock finally turned about 1/8 turn, and then I was able to get it to turn the rest of the way by applying pressure to each pin one by one.

Since I got the lock off, I have only been able to pick it once the same way. I still can't pick it pin by pin even though I can clearly feel each pin. I have tried many levels of torque with no success. Can anyone give me some opinions as to what I may be doing wrong going pin by pin? I have been trying mostly from back to front but have also tried the other way and randomly as well. Thanks!

[TorchBlower]

Maybe your using too much or too little tension than you did before on your wrench.

[specialist]

This should help:
[url]http://www.lockpicking101.com/viewtopic.php?t=7125&highlight=&sid=91129b5020849a316da5835a42cd4d1c[/color][/url]

Apart from practice, I would suggest using some graphite since the lock is old.

[The KeyMaster]

Torchblower: Thanks for the link. Unfortunately I already looked it up and found that post but nothing helped. HOWEVER...

I finally found out what I was doing "wrong" and maybe you all can explain it.
I noticed that when I press down hard on the loop part of the lock it would click further down into the lock. As long as I hold that down while I pick, I can get it open consistently in under 30 seconds now. Thing is, I don't remember doing that the first two times (you have to press it down so hard it starts to hurt your hand) so maybe it's not 100% necessary? All I know is when I press it down it's easy as hell to get open. Anyways, enough cramping my hands picking that old POS, time to get some new locks

[The KeyMaster]

Oops I meant specialist: thanks for the link.

[The KeyMaster]

So I can now pick this lock in under 10 seconds with a back to front rake. All I have to do is press down really hard on the loop until it clicks down further into the lock. Otherwise, I can't seem to get it open. Can anyone comment on what is going on here? Thanks

TKM

[Varjeal]

Sounds like what your doing is decreasing the spring tension on the rear of the plug while your picking it, which is actually a good thing as you've obviously had success with it.