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Just recieved my first American lock

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twenglish 1

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Location: Pennsylvania

Post Wed Feb 04, 2015 4:12 pm

Just recieved my first American lock

I just received my American 5200 and it is one tough pick! Whether it be lack of experience or what I cannot get it to pop! O believe I had all but one or two pins set, the last pin I was on is a spool or a serrated spool, I cannot seem to get it to set, after picking the others the lock falls into a deep false set with very strong counter rotation on the last pin, I released all tension and I still can't get it to slide into place, anybody have any tips for dealing with this?
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pmaxey83

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Post Wed Feb 04, 2015 4:14 pm

Re: Just recieved my first American lock

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=6905

Read Oldfast's write up, you'll be picking Americans in no time.
jeffmoss26: pardon my ignorance to the real world, but what started all this mess in B'more
jeffmoss26: it's bad enough that city has the Ravens

(14:36:27) MBI: I was here for 2 seconds once.
(14:36:27) MBI: kthxbai
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JamesOzment1

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Post Wed Feb 04, 2015 4:31 pm

Re: Just recieved my first American lock

Try setting bacl pin first. Slide pick to the back of the lock, apply light tension , slide pick back ,yuo will feel the pick ease up on the pin.lift till it is at shear then move down the stack.
Some cylinders pick in odd orders depending on alignment of holes , types of pins ect. Basically try picking in a different order.

One last thing.on American cores if you are hitting warding in the back of the plug it will counter rotate as if your on a spool and can cause you to lose set pins. American serateds give two clicks to set usualy.so if your getting more than two clicks your over setting something.
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twenglish 1

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Location: Pennsylvania

Post Wed Feb 04, 2015 5:45 pm

Re: Just recieved my first American lock

so after trying again a I am only able to set two pins, Back pin sets first, then the very front pin puts the lock into that deep false set, next binding pin is a serrated spool I'm guessing, it provides some counter rotation, but it will not budge, even when tension is released completely, also should mention the locks plug is not under any spring tension
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GWiens2001

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Post Wed Feb 04, 2015 6:17 pm

Re: Just recieved my first American lock

Wiggle your hook on the pin side to side while lightening tension.

Gordon
Just when you think you've learned it all, that is when you find you haven't learned anything yet.
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twenglish 1

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Location: Pennsylvania

Post Wed Feb 04, 2015 8:25 pm

Re: Just recieved my first American lock

I just tried that technique and it seems to help a lot, I believe onetime I was one pin away and accidently over set the last one, ah this is frustrating! Haha
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Neilau

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Post Thu Feb 05, 2015 1:15 am

Re: Just recieved my first American lock

Hang in there.

American locks are not easy. They are considered a landmark lock and, as you say that you started picking in Jan this year, to pop an American lock after a month or two shows that you have a real talent there. :D

As pmaxey suggested read Oldfast's post and keep feeling around in the lock. The more you "study" the lock the more it will "talk" to you.

If you can't get it after a while, put it away for a week then come back. Don't let it frustrate you.

You will get it...........then it's on to a Medeco. :hbg:
Clark's Law (Arthur C)

For every expert there is an equal and opposite expert.
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twenglish 1

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Joined: Fri Dec 26, 2014 8:09 pm

Location: Pennsylvania

Post Thu Feb 05, 2015 5:30 am

Re: Just recieved my first American lock

Well after all this frustration and cramping up fingers I finally got it open! I was only able to get it once, I attempted a few more times, but to no success
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jharveee

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Location: San Marcos, Ca.

Post Thu Feb 05, 2015 8:25 am

Re: Just recieved my first American lock

So did you have a chance to gut the American lock, sure would like to see what yours had inside. Mine has all serrated drivers and serrated key pins.
Good job on getting it opened. I was hoping that my lock would have some serrated spool pins. I love a good false set.
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twenglish 1

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Posts: 287

Joined: Fri Dec 26, 2014 8:09 pm

Location: Pennsylvania

Post Thu Feb 05, 2015 9:26 am

Re: Just recieved my first American lock

I did not pull the pins yet, but I will if I can find something suitable to use as a plug follower, I would hate to not be able to get this lock back together
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Josephus

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Post Thu Feb 05, 2015 11:07 am

Re: Just recieved my first American lock

twenglish 1 wrote:I did not pull the pins yet, but I will if I can find something suitable to use as a plug follower, I would hate to not be able to get this lock back together


The clear tube on Pilot G-2 series pens are loose but get the job done. Putting those small serrated spools back in is a real pain without proper pinning tweezers. I have done it with needle-nose pliers many times but it never stopped being frustrating.
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twenglish 1

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Joined: Fri Dec 26, 2014 8:09 pm

Location: Pennsylvania

Post Thu Feb 05, 2015 12:42 pm

Re: Just recieved my first American lock

If the plug is the same size as the plug in my one rekeyable harbor freight lock, which I'm pretty sure it is, I have a dril bit that will work
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Robotnik

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Location: Oregon

Post Thu Feb 05, 2015 1:42 pm

Re: Just recieved my first American lock

Josephus wrote:The clear tube on Pilot G-2 series pens are loose but get the job done.


I knew there was no possible way I was the only one who'd discovered this :smile: . I don't even own an actual plug follower for American and Master locks, just broke the pocket clip off the top half of an old G2 pen, sealed over each end and have been using it with no issues ever since.
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Oldfast

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OldddffAASSTT the Spin Master Extraordinaire and American Lock Slayer
OldddffAASSTT the Spin Master Extraordinaire and American Lock Slayer

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Location: Michigan

Post Thu Feb 05, 2015 2:21 pm

Re: Just recieved my first American lock

Great job crackin' that one! Exciting stuff!

My first one was a series 50... and I know
it took a lot longer than you did with yours.

pmaxey83 wrote:Read Oldfast's write up, you'll be picking Americans in no time.
lol... Well, I dunno know bout that. You'll spend QUITE awhile reading
first... but THEN you'll probably be picking Americans in no time. Ha!
" Enjoy the journey AS MUCH as the destination."
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Neilau

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Post Thu Feb 05, 2015 3:20 pm

Re: Just recieved my first American lock

Great Stuff. :hbg:

Perseverance pays off and like I said, you show a real talent.

It was a while before I managed an American. :smile:

Now that you know that you can do it, it won't take long to do it again.

I'm impressed. Really.
Clark's Law (Arthur C)

For every expert there is an equal and opposite expert.
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