strange Tube lock

[oldbiscuit]

I've been practicing a lot on different tubular locks with my Southord TPXA 7 pin pick. I was trying to manipulate one lock on an old T handle on a pop machine that my neighbor has in his garage. I kept trying and couldn't get anything to move. I looked a little closer and discovered that his lock has the pins offset a few degrees compared to all the others I've practiced on. Is that what they use the 7.5 pick on? His is for sure a 7 pin. Mark

[sbear2000]

this may be what you need

https://shop.multipick.com/en/opening-- ... pin-offset

[oldbiscuit]

Thanks for the link, that explains a lot. My neighbor has the key for his machine, I was just practicing (he was watching) and I had never come across a offset tubular lock before. I wonder how that tool is adjustable for both left and right offsets ? Mark

[MrWizard]

Yup there is offset right and left and some have dead pins that is a solid steel pin in between the regular pins that have to have a cut made on the key to allow it to go all the way into the lock. This would not affect your tubular pick but thought I would mention it if you had not seen that yet either.

Richard

[GWiens2001]

Yup there is offset right and left and some have dead pins that is a solid steel pin in between the regular pins that have to have a cut made on the key to allow it to go all the way into the lock. This would not affect your tubular pick but thought I would mention it if you had not seen that yet either.

Richard

The tubular locks on my Snap-On tool box have the 'dead pin' you mentioned.

Would't the offset be effectively handled simply by removing the drive tab on the pick and driving the lock with the pins themselves?

Have a couple different tubular lock picks, but normally just use a music wire tension wrench and a straight pick poker.

Gordon

[oldbiscuit]

Gordon, prior to picking up this Southord tool, I would use a tension wrench and a single pick them with a regular pick. However doing that the lock will only turn 1 pin notch or 1/8 turn and relock and I would have to repick it to move it another 1/8 turn. I've seen videos where guys single pick them and turn the lock open 90 degs all in one move, but I don't see how they are able to do that. When I first got into picking locks, I thought these tubular locks were a higher security lock, but after the first couple I picked, I realized they are probably the least secure of any lock. Mark

[GWiens2001]

I would agree with you about the security level of most tubular locks, Mark. Took apart the ones for my toolbox and put in springs of different strengths to make using a tubular pick a bit more difficult, and added a few spools (both drivers and me pins), but I do not feel this to be a secure lock.

Gordon