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317 Questions

Last Answer on June 24, 2022

Hello this is a question about tubular locks, how can you tell just by looking at one if it’s a 7, 8 or 10 pin lock? Or am I asking the wrong question?

Asked by Kingpin about 10 years ago

Honestly, I don't think I've ever seen 10-pin tubular lock, but that doesn't mean they don't exist. They're just not very common. I suppose you could just count the pins since you can see them plain as day.

855 Votes

We hired a locksmith to get into an internal locked office door. They screwed around for 5 hours and then left with our entire lock, cylinder and master key and won't bring it back until we agree to pay them to finish the job? Isn't that theft?

Asked by bloom almost 10 years ago

Without knowing the details of the story, judging by your side of the story alone, it's definitely theft!! First off they can't charge you for something you didn't agree to pay for. Secondly, it's YOUR lock & keys, so that is definitely not right.

Some of these hack "locksmiths" will quote you a low price on the phone (you're usually talking to someone in a call center in another state), then they send an independent contractor out who works on commission. They usually don't know what they're doing & try to charge an arm & a leg. Sound accurate? I'd call the police if you're confident in your story. That's not right!

853 Votes

hi, my parents recently fitted a lock on my sliding window that needs a key to be unlocked how can i unlock it without the key or possibly buy one but which key should i buy?

Asked by courtney over 9 years ago

Those are usually locks you can't just go out and "buy a key" for. Stay on your parent's good side, do as you're told/asked; and after they build up trust in you, they'll unlock it for you and life will be much more pleasant.

851 Votes

I've been picking as a hobby. I am newer to this. I recently ran into a master padlock no.82 that has 5 pins . Only have a Dino 8 pc pick set. Any help would be wonderful because I'm stuck on this one.

Asked by Doctor anything about 10 years ago

They're not easy, I'll tell you that! They put pick-resistant pins in there, most of the time, we end up cutting them off.

847 Votes

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I have a master padlock no. 82
I don't have the key. There was a stamp in black ink on the bottom. 10R01
The lock smith looked it up. Said yep 5 pin master pad lock. Charged me 12 bucks. But the key goes in very tight and it only goes in half way

Asked by Doctor anything about 10 years ago

It's possible that he used the wrong blank, or maybe the blank is bent or twisted. According to my records, the key blank should be: m-4, 1092V, MS9R, 81KR. Those are different part numbers for the same blank by different manufacturers. Check the key for that part number, if it's different, that might be a ref flag. Some keys don't have any part number on them though. I'd take it back to that locksmith.

847 Votes

I have a multipoint lock (corbin french doors) that is broken in the locked position. I read in one of your answers that you managed to open such a lock. How? Help.

Asked by Michael Redd over 9 years ago

I've never seen a Corbin multipoint lock in person, just a diagram of one online, but from what I can tell, this is a completely different animal. There are many reasons why it might not be unlocking, and destroying it to get it open might not be necessary or work the same way. I hate to say it, but your best bet would be to find an experienced locksmith who would be willing to tackle this project, but be prepared to spend some money in the off-chance it's not repairable, I'm sure these aren't cheap.

846 Votes

I am sorry about not being clear on the corbin russwin leversets. They are a "UT 5257" store room function. On the assembly I ffound online the "grip retainer" I am refering to is part # 15, there is one on each side to hold the levers in place.
Thx

Asked by Randy almost 10 years ago

I've worked on Unit Locks before, but not this specific one I don't think. From what I've read, you have to pry it out with a small screwdriver. Unfortunately I don't know any secret tricks without seeing one in person. Not sure if this would be easier, but there's a tool I've used for 15 years that has been SO useful. It's a red-handled 90 degree ice pick. it has the name Carolina Roller on the side.

829 Votes

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Locksmith

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

Hello this is a question about tubular locks, how can you tell just by looking at one if it’s a 7, 8 or 10 pin lock? Or am I asking the wrong question?

We hired a locksmith to get into an internal locked office door. They screwed around for 5 hours and then left with our entire lock, cylinder and master key and won't bring it back until we agree to pay them to finish the job? Isn't that theft?

hi, my parents recently fitted a lock on my sliding window that needs a key to be unlocked how can i unlock it without the key or possibly buy one but which key should i buy?

I've been picking as a hobby. I am newer to this. I recently ran into a master padlock no.82 that has 5 pins . Only have a Dino 8 pc pick set. Any help would be wonderful because I'm stuck on this one.

Also on Jobstr...

I have a master padlock no. 82
I don't have the key. There was a stamp in black ink on the bottom. 10R01
The lock smith looked it up. Said yep 5 pin master pad lock. Charged me 12 bucks. But the key goes in very tight and it only goes in half way

I have a multipoint lock (corbin french doors) that is broken in the locked position. I read in one of your answers that you managed to open such a lock. How? Help.

I am sorry about not being clear on the corbin russwin leversets. They are a "UT 5257" store room function. On the assembly I ffound online the "grip retainer" I am refering to is part # 15, there is one on each side to hold the levers in place.
Thx

Locksmith

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

Hello this is a question about tubular locks, how can you tell just by looking at one if it’s a 7, 8 or 10 pin lock? Or am I asking the wrong question?

We hired a locksmith to get into an internal locked office door. They screwed around for 5 hours and then left with our entire lock, cylinder and master key and won't bring it back until we agree to pay them to finish the job? Isn't that theft?

hi, my parents recently fitted a lock on my sliding window that needs a key to be unlocked how can i unlock it without the key or possibly buy one but which key should i buy?

I've been picking as a hobby. I am newer to this. I recently ran into a master padlock no.82 that has 5 pins . Only have a Dino 8 pc pick set. Any help would be wonderful because I'm stuck on this one.

Also on Jobstr...

I have a master padlock no. 82 I don't have the key. There was a stamp in black ink on the bottom. 10R01The lock smith looked it up. Said yep 5 pin master pad lock. Charged me 12 bucks. But the key goes in very tight and it only goes in half way

I have a multipoint lock (corbin french doors) that is broken in the locked position. I read in one of your answers that you managed to open such a lock. How? Help.

I am sorry about not being clear on the corbin russwin leversets. They are a "UT 5257" store room function. On the assembly I ffound online the "grip retainer" I am refering to is part # 15, there is one on each side to hold the levers in place.Thx

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I have a master padlock no. 82
I don't have the key. There was a stamp in black ink on the bottom. 10R01
The lock smith looked it up. Said yep 5 pin master pad lock. Charged me 12 bucks. But the key goes in very tight and it only goes in half way

I am sorry about not being clear on the corbin russwin leversets. They are a "UT 5257" store room function. On the assembly I ffound online the "grip retainer" I am refering to is part # 15, there is one on each side to hold the levers in place.
Thx