keymaster1053 wrote:I see, well if that's true, then the prior assumption here was that the shallowest cut was the one that was the tensioner, your theory would invalidate that belief. Interesting, but if that is true, how would it apply to say different 102 locks? if two different 102 keys have different dots, how does the lock differentiate? that 102 lock is only going to open with one tensioner every time, regardless of what dots are on the keys, right?
Using the 102 as our example requires the locks three discs to be positioned at 45° 0° 90° before opening. Imagine having two of these locks, imagine having the two corresponding keys, and imagine this theory is correct (
). One key has one dot and the other has two dots. You take the lock and key with one dot see that the discs are scrambled. You move disc one freely throughout the full range of motion and nothing happens. You set disc three at 90° and disc two at 0°. Now you begin to rotate disc one and at 45° it catches. Disc one now requires a lot more tension and the whole disc packs rotates until the shackle drops open.
Same thing with the lock and key with two dots. This time after setting disc three and two properly you begin to rotate disc one. It rotates from 0-90° and
nothing happens. You try again by setting disc three at 90°, disc one at 45°, and finally begin to move disc two. It catches almost immediately at 0° and the whole disc pack turns with it to open the lock.
Of course both keys will open both locks since their cuts are properly angled but when picking open one disc
rules the others to open the lock.
I don't think the theory holds any water but I floated it to encourage discussion, maybe find the correct answer, and maybe also to have the theory tested. I currently have an Enviromental lock that I disappointingly have not been able to open yet. I have tried every combo at least twice and used the first disc to try opening the lock. Nothing. To find the proper tensioning disc I'll need put it in a vise and make a little tool to prevent disc one from moving when rotating the other discs while trying every possible combination again...and maybe again.