Picked my first cruciform lock!

[GWiens2001]

Ok, so it ain't exactly an Abloy, but it is the first time I tried to pick a cruciform lock.



It is from a steering wheel lock that I bought with keys for about $5, if I recall correctly. Thought it would be tougher. Used the wishbone tension wrench, but closed up and put in one side only. Was a little surprised to find that the first pin on the side to the right of the red index mark, and the second pin in the side opposite the index mark were spools. They gave significant counter rotation. Used a simple diamond rake.

Not difficult, but a first of this type for me.

Gordon

[Oldfast]

Nice! Yeah, kinda surprising to encounter some spools, eh? But a pleasant surprise.

[GWiens2001]

Yes, the kind of surprise we like from a $5 thrift shop lock. this was from the "Sport Utility Club LX" according to the side of the lock. I thought it would be too cheap a lock to use spools. When I was a teenager a few decades ago, my dad bought a club for both his and mom's cars. I looked at them, but kept my mouth shut about seeing that they were just wafer locks. He was unaware that I could pick locks at that time. I was just recently adopted back then.

Gordon

[rai]

normally these locks have three pinned edges and a slightly wider forth edge, this allows the key to only enter in the proper orientation.
The club locks are the easiest, the papaiz and some french, are somewhat harder. I once was shown a house key from the Ukraine that was a long shafted cruciform, I did not see the lock, that was on a house in a different country.

[GWiens2001]

Rai,

You are correct in that the side with the index mark is slightly wider than the other three sides. If you blow up the picture, it is discernible. However, this lock is pinned on all 4 sides.

Gordon

[xeo]

Very nice. I have a VNC "cruciform" style mortise cylinder that goes into a false set right before opening. It has 3 rows of 5 pins at 9, 12 and 3'oclock. Way too scared to gut it!

[psykro]

Yes, the kind of surprise we like from a $5 thrift shop lock. this was from the "Sport Utility Club LX" according to the side of the lock. I thought it would be too cheap a lock to use spools. When I was a teenager a few decades ago, my dad bought a club for both his and mom's cars. I looked at them, but kept my mouth shut about seeing that they were just wafer locks. He was unaware that I could pick locks at that time. I was just recently adopted back then.

Gordon

haha classic gordon!
well done on the cruciform too. i have collected a couple of club locks lately, looked at the keyways and just gone "naaah" one row of pins is enough for me right now!

[GWiens2001]

If you see them, go for it. They are bit very tough. Just Use a very shallow tension wrench, thick if possible. Light to medium tension. Then SPP or rake the pins in each side. The spools give plenty of counter rotation, so you can find them easily. I used the diamond pictured, the first time for SPP, then as a rake. Both times works, except I had to SPP the spools. I think you can do it, give it a try.

Gordon