I've been trying to single-pin pick my first American 1100 padlock, and it keeps defeating me. Today I disassembled it to see what I'm dealing with.
I don't feel quite so bad now. I knew there were security pins, but damn. Drivers are three serrated spools, two deeply serrated standard. Then there's three serrated key pins. No wonder the feedback is confusing. I think I'm going to have to progressive pin this to get the feel of just a couple pins at a time.
yeesh that's a lotta counterrotation
@KAutumnrain
Oh I love counter-rotation. Spools are my favorite. But these serrated spools on top of serrated key pins are not my favorite. I can't even get to a false set let alone the counter-rotation on the way to a true set. Clearly I need to rethink my tension for this.
Looks like a good challenge, at least! I'd almost expect a knife's edge worth of tension for that setup....
@KAutumnrain
I think your instincts are correct. And definitely top of keyway. But you have to use the long leg of a flat bar to clear past the retaining plate, and that feels a bit more awkward if you're used to using the short leg on every other lock.