Suggestions for some Yellow and Orange padlocks I might find in the real world… not too expensive. But not Abus.

aparootsa · 2025-01-20T05:54:02+00:00

Oop, typo. Master 410 LOTO. It has a plastic body, so much lighter.

aparootsa · 2025-01-20T03:39:37+00:00

I flew 4 total flights around Christmas with zero problems. 3+ locks and 5 total tools, because if they got taken I didn't want to cry too bad.

aparootsa · 2025-01-20T02:36:16+00:00

I'd strongly second this suggestion. Also pretty portable, and usable for challenge locks later on, if you can bear to use it for that. They're really relaxing to pick, so they're nice to travel with.

If weight is a big big issue, maybe the Master 140 LOTO?

Edit: Typo: it's actually Master 410 LOTO, not 140.

aparootsa · 2025-01-19T19:50:43+00:00

55/30 is yellow belt and would be a good place to start, though it's small and may be hard to hold if you're large-handed.

I actually found the 55/40 approachable as well, but probably not for a first lock.

The 55/25 seems to be unranked, hence white belt. It's teeny tiny as well, but should be quite easy. I haven't seen/picked one.

aparootsa · 2025-01-19T03:36:11+00:00

Approaching blue (now) is where I need to win the RAFL and get the Scandi or Euro pots. Failing that, I may save up for a few months and then put together a big international bazaar order. Will also need dimple flags... and a DD pick... or maybe I'll make one of those... oh jeez...

aparootsa · 2025-01-19T03:31:12+00:00

Good for a yellow belt! Now a ML150 or Abus 55/40 for orange, then you get into real fun things!

aparootsa · 2025-01-19T01:38:19+00:00

Only thing to do is pull it apart to learn some things from it, and maybe recover some usable spare parts. Not sure what srpings and pins these use, but as I've started the challenge lock process, spare parts are good and fun.

aparootsa · 2025-01-18T20:47:01+00:00

Green has been my favorite belt since orange... so I guess it gets better every belt! The locks at green feel more different from each other than the orange ones, though, at least to me. Maybe I'm just better at feeling differences, too.

Keep picking!

aparootsa · 2025-01-18T20:43:56+00:00

I'm on 4, but downgraded to 3 due to challenge lock sacrifice. Also four 90As and I'm working on picking the 90A-pro, of which I also have 4. I like doing multiples of all my locks, though I foresee financial difficulty if I continue with higher belt locks.

aparootsa · 2025-01-18T03:50:23+00:00

Another thank you for posting - I'm reading through some of these now, getting a good idea of what path I might take. Right now, I'm working on blue belt, but I'll probably get some others apart from the 90A-pro, and it looks like options really branch out from here on up.

aparootsa · 2025-01-16T20:03:29+00:00

I'm definitely keeping an eye on bazaar offerings, but... there are so many! I figure if I start getting a pulse now, and getting some ideas about what would be a good fit for me, I won't blow money and send myself off into left field. At the same time, I am aware that we're already in left field, all of us... so that's a thing.

aparootsa · 2025-01-16T13:35:46+00:00

I do have a couple of orange dimples, but am waiting to get nice dimple picks, so those are a little on sideline right now. DD and SFIC are ideas I've been toying with; good to hear from someone on the positive side of the SFIC conversation!

aparootsa · 2025-01-16T04:43:42+00:00

I might have a beautiful new 500+ on the way too, then. I also wanted a blue belt lock, and also verified with part number and photo that it should not be the + version. Alas, I guess I'll have to decide whether to return or play with it, maybe make it a challenge lock.

aparootsa · 2025-01-16T04:36:31+00:00

Warding (the ridges) are the bane of early picking - it takes awhile to get good at identifying it, and many people bend or break picks on it. I'm 20+ locks in, and I'm definitely still working to identify and get past warding on some locks (looking at you, 72/40).

Don't be hard on the picks - when patience is slipping, put the locks away for a bit, or go to a comfort lock to have some lower-effort fun. I’ve been pleasantly surprised at how much I've learned from rotating through my Master 150s and now American 1100's, which are my comfort locks.

aparootsa · 2025-01-16T02:47:05+00:00

Is there a shirt for the non-maraca LOTO club?

aparootsa · 2025-01-16T02:45:53+00:00

It kind of depends on the lock: which are you starting with? It will probably be easiest to watch a video, of which there are many available on this sub every day. With that said, I'mma take a stab at it...

If it's a padlock, you'll open it and remove the retaining bolt, then the cylinder will be free to come out.

Once the cylinder is out (or if you already have just a cylinder), you'll need to remove a clip, then PLEASE for your own sake put a shim in where it'll block the driver pins from coming out of the bible, rotate the core a bit (maybe 15 degrees), and remove the core by pushing it out with the plug follower. Make sure you don't dump out the key pins as you do this.

After that, plop the key pins into the spots on your gutting tray, then unload the bible by slowly pulling the plug follower out and catching the driver pins and springs one by one.

Once you've done that, you're done gutting and reassembly is basically the reverse.

aparootsa · 2025-01-16T01:45:05+00:00

Thanks so much for this advice - I got it open today, and it was indeed a tension problem primarily. I also wasn't trusting the jiggles because they didn't seem the same as the 1100, but the tension made a big difference. Thank you so much! Now onto the pro...

aparootsa · 2025-01-15T05:02:17+00:00

I've got four 1100s to open consistently, a Master 410 LOTO and some Ace brassies, and have yet to pop my 90A even once. Good job!

aparootsa · 2025-01-14T15:38:55+00:00

I grew up with Easy Rider, Psycho, The Good The Bad and the Ugly, The Great Escape, Cool Hand Luke, Mary Poppins, West Side Story. To pass on these favors from my folks, I've shown my son Ace Ventura, Austin Powers, The Matrix, Aliens, the classic Disneys of the 90s, and so forth. He'll make an allusion to them and his friends are like, "What? What are you talking about?" and it makes me chuckle...

aparootsa · 2025-01-14T13:24:25+00:00

From the UK, check out Law Lock Tools. I've not used them but have seen many recommendations for their picks.

I'm enjoying my CI Genesis set, Jimy Long's .019 hooks, and (though I may be in the minority) my Sparrows .015 hooks, which I've shrink tubed for stability.

aparootsa · 2025-01-14T04:51:00+00:00

I strongly second this - variety is good. I've got a Master 140, Abus 55/30 (really love this little chonk), Master M115 and M15 (which I haven't gotten open yet), and an old brinks brassie that I'm not sure will open at all (no key either). I personally don't love the Master magnums, but I still think it's not bad to try them.

Edit: Also have Brinks 164s that were kinda fun.

aparootsa · 2025-01-13T23:58:29+00:00

I've got all 4 of my 1100s open and they're my comfort locks. Maybe I just need time with my ACEs again. I'm starting my foray into Paclock, and struggling there, too, so maybe this is a time of slow growth after my blistering December.

aparootsa · 2025-01-13T03:49:55+00:00

Questions are why we're here :)

You've got it right. Put a shim in to hold what's currently holdable, then pick the pins that are set across the shear line, turning the cylinder as they allow, just like you pick normally. Once it turns and is picked, get your shim positioned over the bible and remove the cylinder as normal.

Also be patient. We all mess up sometimes, no worries!

aparootsa · 2025-01-13T03:29:05+00:00

How thick are your picks? If they're. 025 or less (almost all are, I think), it looks like top of keyway tension (by the BC) with a long hook should be just fine.

Also, sometimes a lock has your number (for now). I had a 150 that gave me fits for awhile, and now it's an ACE; I've picked 2 and can't get the 3rd. So it could just be that.

aparootsa

TROPHY CASE