Do american 5200's have security pins?

[farmall]

This thing is kicking my @$$. I've yet to ever pick a American maybe too much tension.

[Riyame]

They should be full of nicely serrated crunchy goodness. The older ones at least.

[HT4]

I own about a dozen 5200's. I've found that older ones -- particularly those that have been in the weather -- are MUCH harder than new, unused locks. I've pulled them apart and gutted them side by side and could never figure out why. What is clear to me is that the feedback is not nearly as clean. Keep at it. You'll get the hang of it.

[GWiens2001]

And they don't have an emoticon for BumpStop driver pins for the newer ones.

Gordon

[farmall]

That explains that. Been in the weather and full of dirt and security pins. Time to break down and get a new 5200 to build my confidence.

[farmall]

They should be full of nicely serrated crunchy goodness. The older ones at least.

How old is old enough to get the serrated for sure?

[MrWizard]

I spray electronic contact cleaner of the kind that doesn't leave any oily residue when it evaporates in locks that are dirty and weathered that are being difficult to pick with or without security pin in them. I use it a lot especially on padlocks as people just love to oil them. Flood it real good run a blank key in and out or rake it with pick before it drys flood it a couple of times. Even in those that aren't weathered they may have both oil and graphite makes life much easier when you have a customer waiting to get in. LPS contact cleaner is the brand I like the best as it doesn't have a toxic lingering smell like brands you will find in auto parts stores. Especially if you are inside trying to get an office door open it is customer friendly as it doesn't reek the place up.

[GWiens2001]

They should be full of nicely serrated crunchy goodness. The older ones at least.

How old is old enough to get the serrated for sure?

Here is how to tell. Look at the keyway, and you will know with the 5200.

Gordon

[xeo]

American Locks *generally* like light to light-medium tension. Too much tension will actually cause more problems than it usually solves. Try relaxing a bit and tension just enough to where you can get the feedback you want. I would also recommend top of the keyway tension to give you room to pick. Top keyway tension is always preferred in just about every situation.