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BEST padlock 5 pin cylinder

PostPosted: Sat Dec 05, 2015 3:21 pm
by escapenrv
I had to drill a 5 pin cylinder out of an old BEST padlock. I had oper key and could pick it to oper but never could get it to control.
I would like to see if I can find a cylinder or two, pined different but with same control key. I would like to have it so I can show how a sfic lock is used and how it can have a new core with different oper key installed.
I see many 6 and 7 pin cylinders for sale on the net but I don't know if they would work in my old lock. The core that came out is 7/8 in long.
Thanks for any help any of you could send my way. Maybe I just need to buy a new lock and start over.
Steve

Re: BEST padlock 5 pin cylinder

PostPosted: Sat Dec 05, 2015 5:00 pm
by Riyame
I have some 5 pin cores. The reason they are hard to find is because they haven't made them a lot in a long time. Now you mainly only get them if your system has a ton of old hardware.

How tall is your padlock? 1.435" or so is 5 pin only, 1.59" is 5 or 6 and above that is 7.

Re: BEST padlock 5 pin cylinder

PostPosted: Sun Dec 06, 2015 8:59 am
by escapenrv
Yes, my lock is 1.454 " tall so it must be 5 pin only. It is old and the shackle is quite rusted so I don't think it will be worth investing much to fix it up. I just wanted a demo lock anyway.
The pin stack was full of master wafers, about 19 pins in total for the 5 stacks.
I may see if I can make a turning tool for the control lug now that I have one to use as a guide.
Steve

Re: BEST padlock 5 pin cylinder

PostPosted: Sun Dec 06, 2015 9:23 am
by Riyame
I hope it wasn't too old. Did it say Best Universal?

The norm for a mastered Best core is 4 pins per stack and 5 is not unheard of. A bottom, a control, a master and a top.

Re: BEST padlock 5 pin cylinder

PostPosted: Sun Dec 06, 2015 10:14 am
by escapenrv
The lock has the BEST logo on both sides. I don't think is is rare or anything like that. It is not beat up. Just a little wear along the edges. I think it must have hung outside for years and the weather got the shackle.
The insides were very dirty. There was grit or something hard at the back of the control tab. I think that was keeping it from turning. Even after I drilled and removed the pins I had a hard time getting the control sleeve to turn. Someone tried to bump the lock I guess. The stop plate on the end of the cylinder was bent out some at the bottom of the key way as if a key had been struck hard several times.
I cleaned up the plug, sleeve and cylinder so now everything turns smoothly. I made a 3 tab turning tool to fit the control sleeve. It seems to work well but it is a cleaned lock with no pins. I will have to try it on a working lock at some point. I can grab the first 3 lower holes in the sleeve or holes 2,3 and 4. I think this will be enough tabs but I can make another tool if I need it.
Steve