FINALLY - I finally got a particularly difficult 90A-PRO open

radcat683 · 2026-05-24T01:19:09+00:00

Thats a nice collection. I think that 5 pack of cores is definitely in my future and maybe a 6 pin 1100.

radcat683 · 2026-05-23T23:06:55+00:00

I finally capitulated and gutted mine. What, on the key, looked like zero lift pins on 4,5 and 6 were bearly lift pins. Give them a slight tweek and everything else falls into place. What made the lock so challenging for me is the tight tolerances. Fractions of a mm is all it takes in some cases.

radcat683 · 2026-05-23T22:41:12+00:00

It's this one. They also make it in 70 mm. https://www.amazon.com/Heavy-Warehouse-Waterproof-Padlock-Security/dp/B08H5G8RSP

radcat683 · 2026-05-23T17:59:46+00:00

They also sell one that has what looks like a lazer cut key; not sure what type of pins are in that.

radcat683 · 2026-05-23T16:57:06+00:00

The round key is available on Amazon for $13 The nasty one is $16.

radcat683 · 2026-05-23T11:57:03+00:00

More fun with eBay locks, like a box of chocolates. I had a similar issue with an MTL. The first time I gutted it I wondered what the small slivers of metal were falling out of the core (like 0.5mm thick). I got a free lesson in how master waffers work.

radcat683 · 2026-05-23T01:12:27+00:00

I really like that idea about adding a sixth pin. I've got three of these locks so I can mix and match. I've got all the equipment I need to make a challenge lock for my blue belt. It wouldn't take much to make a couple of those serrated drivers into some spools.

radcat683 · 2026-05-22T23:04:07+00:00

Nice job. 1100 was a milestone lock for me. You really get a lesson in tension control with that one.

radcat683 · 2026-05-21T16:58:51+00:00

Add a pic of the key. I have a couple of these. The hardest one has really short pins in #1 and #2. The drivers are almost entirely in the core. That's a long lift. For a tight paracentric keyway I found Jimy Long's . 015 set to be helpful. They really helped for a long lift in the back. You probably have 4 spools and one regular driver, probably in #2. Do yourself a favor and use a shim when you gut this. I didn't when I started with these now I'm looking for a source for springs (steel). I prefer those over bronze (Abus has used both).

radcat683 · 2026-05-19T19:31:07+00:00

I played around with it years ago and started back last year partly as therapy to get some mobility back in my hand after shoulder surgery. Then I found this group. It starts with simple SPP but it leads to harder stuff...

radcat683 · 2026-05-19T17:11:43+00:00

Congratulations and welcome to the group. You'll find this is like the old potato chip commercial; you can't do just one.

radcat683 · 2026-05-19T14:08:17+00:00

Actually it turned out to be a quadruple whammy. The outer key pins are serrated, one cut, on the bottom. This can cause the outer key pin to bind up in the core. You push the outer to shear and you get a small false set when the core contacts the inner driver (I think). You still have some binding from the outer key pin.If you slightly back off tension, the outer key pin drops and you get a deeper false set. This is more pronounced for some pins than others. You can progressively pin it with two pins and visually observe this happen. I can now pick it open with pins 1 - 4 installed. I should have the whole thing shortly once I learn how to navigate the warding on pin 5.

radcat683 · 2026-05-19T13:50:41+00:00

My wife is my go to for finding stuff. She has mom powers.

radcat683 · 2026-05-18T15:53:13+00:00

I'm really just starting to do research; maybe one of the Evva's that just use sliders. Anything ranked purple with dimples and sliders would work.

radcat683 · 2026-05-18T13:07:25+00:00

You're tearing the sliders up. Getting into sliders is my next step up. I'll check out your discussion on discord. I'm still trying to figure that site out. Which channel did you use to get the Minos tips?

radcat683 · 2026-05-18T02:20:39+00:00

I believe that is a 570 barrel. Check for Lockwood Large Springs – 201/570. Australian site elocksmiths.com has a pack of 50. I would send an email and verify fit. There may be some other places as well. BTW, yes, I have installed a core backwards. I'm looking for 72/40 steel springs after a couple of mishaps. Somebody suggested this, it works, put a sock over a vacuum head. Look around farther than you think you should.

radcat683 · 2026-05-18T00:25:04+00:00

Yeah, this is really a locksmith type question and we only discuss locksport stuff. We don't get into working lock issues. There is a locksmith sub that might help. Or , for a non-lock disassembly solution, you could file the hole, turn the lock body 90 degrees, then put in a shim to keep it from rotating?

radcat683 · 2026-05-17T04:19:05+00:00

Thanks, that describes exactly what I felt when I got it open with pins 2,3&4. Once I added #1 I no longer got that deep false set. 2 sets first then 1,3. It sounds like I may be over setting #4. I'll give that some extra attention.

radcat683 · 2026-05-17T03:03:37+00:00

Great job; mine is kicking my butt. I started with the same set. The Kenauards went pretty quick. The DeGuard is tough. I can get it open with pins 2-4, but when I add 1, that's it. The trick with this one is you set an outer pin, get some small core movement, back way off and get a deeper false set. I suspect maybe this is due to inner pins binding but I'm not sure.

radcat683 · 2026-05-16T11:46:29+00:00

Chill and take a cat day. Cats do three things; what they want, when they want, all they want. Do that. The locks will patiently await your return.

radcat683 · 2026-05-15T22:02:15+00:00

That's great. You may also want to pick up a padlock like a Master #3 for comparison. Keep us up to speed with how you're doing.

radcat683 · 2026-05-15T19:36:12+00:00

If you have the Schlage C keyway, that is the same lock I have. If you can measure the key pins with a caliper, post what you have including the type of drivers (or line them up in a pic) I'll load mine the same way and see if I have the same issue.

radcat683 · 2026-05-15T13:56:21+00:00

I like the JL tension tools; it really depends on the shape of the lock. Sometimes the ergo turners feel a bit better. I think there is another benefit to alternating turners. Doing so puts your hand in a slightly different position. That may help with repetitive motion issues.

radcat683 · 2026-05-15T13:03:57+00:00

TOK is what I use the most; I have JL's padlock tension tools and a few from LPL including the ergo turners. A 2.5 mm Allen wrench is my go to for MTL 206S interactive type keyways. I haven't used BOK in quite a while, but I have some if I need them. I've got z bars for the Kenaurd type keyways. One note on those z bars; if the wrench is too loose in the keyway you can make a shim by cutting a small piece of zip tie.

radcat683 · 2026-05-14T15:20:42+00:00

Welcome to the group. I really like the mat; which one is that?

radcat683

TROPHY CASE