Master Safety Lockout troubles

[flywheel]

Good day,
In my hand I have a six-pin red Master Safety Lockout padlock. This is one talkative lock, unfortunately I don't speak the language. Nice clicks from the pins and lots of feeling in the pick and tension tool.
Just one problem, I haven't been able to open it. Is this full of serrated pins? Do key retaining padlocks have anything special about them? Will it now pop open two minutes later after asking for input?

That's all...thanks...take it easy

[GWiens2001]

Think it does have serrated pins.

Gordon

[UnlockD]

I have one of those. 5/6 security pins (spools I think) if I'm not mistaken. There isn't a spring in there so you have to really watch tension. Only thing to really remember with this lock is not to turn it to far after picking it. That will result in dumping the key pins into the lock body.

[nsquidc]

Mine had 3 spools, 2 serrated, and one regular. How do I know this? Don't turn the cylinder too far after picking as that will dump the pins out

On the bright side, the body is plastic so you can saw it open and use the pins to repin another lock...

[flywheel]

Thanks for the replies.
At my skill level it appears that luck is my best chance of opening this padlock. But the lock feedback is so pronounced I keep thinking, "this has to open any moment!" It's kind of like a cheering crowd at a race propelling you towards the finish line.

I like this padlock! I think it might be my favorite. Funny how Master puts a cheap plastic body padlock with the most secure internals.

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[allan501]

Interesting. Does anyone know why they would include security pins in a lockout lock. I my experience they usually aren't strong enough to be considered security they are just supposed to signal other people that the circuit is being worked on.

As for anyone removing someone else's lock that is usually dealt with informally but forcefully.

[GWiens2001]

Why complain? Grab those security pins!

Gordon

[Neilau]

Interesting. Does anyone know why they would include security pins in a lockout lock. I my experience they usually aren't strong enough to be considered security they are just supposed to signal other people that the circuit is being worked on.

As for anyone removing someone else's lock that is usually dealt with informally but forcefully.

Actually, making these locks difficult to pick but not that strong physically makes perfect (well, good) sense.

The clue is in the name Safety locks.

Considering that these locks are not meant to protect valuable objects but to limit access to the control an industrial process they need not be physically strong. They mainly function as an audit device or to stop switches or valves being accidently activated.

If the locks are easy to pick then someone other than the key holder could open the lock and initiate or stop the protected process and no one would know.

In order to have unauthorized access to the switch or valve etc. the lock would have to be destroyed i.e. cut. It is then obvious that unauthorized access has been perpetrated (unless done by the key holder/s in order to cover up the access).

So there is no need for a physically strong lock, just one that is hard to pick or manipulate. That is probably why they dump the pins if turned too far - a trap for pickers not familiar with these locks. It is immediately apparent that the lock has been tampered with.

[escher7]

For those wanting a good explanation of the use of these padlocks see:
http://www.masterlocksafety.com/prod_support/choose.jsp

Particularly interesting is the fact that the shackles are deliberately non-hardened so they can be cut off easily. Thus, if a key is lost they can be easily cut off with bolt cutters (the "master key") to enable a power source for example, to be turned back on. These locks are clearly not meant to be high security. On the other hand they are not easily picked so that if someone opens them it would be by force and therefore easily detected.