(360) Mushroom vs Spool Driver Pins - What is the difference?

I have seen this question a few times, and a recent email made me think that I should do something to address it! :-) just be aware that most cheap locks that say they have ‘mushroom pins’ in DON’T. Instead, they have awful cast or rolled spool-like monstrosities that are just horrid all round...
Remember: only pick locks that are yours and that are not in use! Keep locksport legal!
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[@LockNoob]

I have seen this question a few times, and a recent email made me think that I should do something to address it! :-) just be aware that most cheap locks that say they have ‘mushroom pins’ in DON’T. Instead, they have awful cast or rolled spool-like monstrosities that are just horrid...

[@ccmogs5757]

I think a serrated pin has left you a dislike LN :]

[@LockNoob]

Haha, yeah. I always get one or two dislikes no matter what vid, lol. Can’t please everyone. :-)

[@WineScrounger]

Very informative. On behalf of the new guys, thanks for taking the time to do those graphics, it explains not just pin types but also counter-rotation better than probably any other video I’ve seen.

[@LockNoob]

You are very welcome. I liked making it :-)

[@theboywholived2]

Bless you thank you so much for explaining the difference, that was absolutely amazing I'm sorry that must have been so much work to produce that video but you really have explained it fantastically well. A truly amazing job thank you

[@LockNoob]

Thank you for the question, I had fun making the video and hopefully other people will learn from it and enjoy it too :-)

[@monkey_breath]

i considered this when i first started picking and looking at different security pins, and when i got my first cutaway lock to help visualize picking, i noticed that the mushroom pins did act a bit differently. under tension, the mushroom pins would push and pull themselves so the thinnest part (between the shaft and cap) would orient itself near the sheer line. granted it basically has no appreciable effect on picking, but i did notice that.

[@LockNoob]

Nice observation :-)

[@MrTonyhague]

Your graphics do make it much easier to understand. I guess this means that counter rotation is always a sign of spools of similar security features?

[@LockNoob]

Most of the time, yes. Serrated Pins can give some small counter rotation and so can oversetting a key pin... I might do a video on that actually... :-)

[@ShadowyFigure83]

Mate! I'm new to mushrooms & spools, you have no idea how helpful this video is. Massive thanks.

[@LockNoob]

Thank you 🙏😃😊

[@DAdamTrammell]

Thank you for taking the time to make the graphics for this video. You are an invaluable resource!

[@LockNoob]

Glad it was helpful!

[@EnzoGuardino]

Excellent tutorial and graphic presentation! I think it is fundamental for newbie pickers, but beneficial even for the more seasoned. Sometimes a quick refresher of the physics can help us visualise what's going on when frustration makes us a bit foggy. Letting up on the tensioning often leads to losing set pins (dreaded clicking sound), yet that's part and parcel of attacking those spools/mushrooms. Patience and visualising, in your mind, which pins are problematic is the key (pardon the pun). So, the next step is adding the complication of serrations or undercuts in the core or bible of challenge locks. ;)

[@LockNoob]

Well yes, if I think the demand is there, I could do all sorts of pin types :-)

[@KommaAchtKommaEins]

Finally I understand what is meant by counter-rotation. I always wondered if you can feel the pins turn or something. :) Thanks for the great slides.

[@LockNoob]

No problem :-)

[@macnutz4206]

Thanks. this is the first time I have seen a clear steady shot of the spool pin and mushroom pin side by side. At last, I am no longer guessing what a mushroom pin looks like and a basic idea of how they behave. By this time next week I expect to be learning to feel how things behave. I plan to start with standard pins. I am too young for these kinds of mushrooms. They might make me hallucinate from stress and frustration. :)

[@LockNoob]

Lol :-) don’t fear the mushroom! :-)

[@KeylessEntry]

Great explanation as I always wondered on the correct orientation of the mushroom spools👍

[@LockNoob]

Thanks :-)

[@doorandlocktips]

Thanks you cleared up the orientation of a mushroom pe In. Medeco likes to have the stock down. Tech suggested that’s how you load their pins in cylinders the stocks towards the key. Well, I guess if it really doesn’t matter to you, it doesn’t matter to me. 5:26

[@WilliamMancel]

Excellent video LN. The graphics really helped in explaining what goes on.

[@LockNoob]

Thank you :-)

[@R2gbs]

Probably one of your best videos so far.

[@LockNoob]

Thank you :-)

[@Potti314]

Very nicely done - great visualization by the graphics. From the shape of the mushroom it might be a bit harder get out of a false set but honsestly I don't think that the difference really matters in picking.

[@LockNoob]

Thanks Potti314 :-)

[@gantry289]

A nice, well thought out video. Thank you for taking the time to show that.

[@LockNoob]

Thanks :-)

[@Frosty901]

Great job on the graphics and explanation. 👏👏

[@LockNoob]

Thanks :-)

[@mynock250]

Great explanation and visuals. Probably the best i’ve seen

[@LockNoob]

Thanks you :-)

[@NoctisMotus]

Nicely done. Good and clear explanation.

[@LockNoob]

Thanks Noctis :-) I had fun making this one :-)

[@kithpendragon]

Great visualization! Thanks for that.

[@LockNoob]

Thanks :-)

[@dirksecrets]

Clear and concise. Many thanks for sharing that.

[@LockNoob]

Thanks dirk :-)

[@stig..locks..r956]

yep very helpful and your right about the cheep spools I had a lock saying mushroom pin tumbelers when I tuck it to pices they were cheep cast little spools instead of the mushroom pins you have to keep ur eyes out thanks anyway stiglocks..r

[@LockNoob]

Those cast spools are horrid to pick... so unpredictable :-)

[@Stephane-au-fil-de-la-vie1266]

This is the most useful video I saw on lock sport in month many thanks

[@LockNoob]

Thank you very much :-)

[@duncandunk4270]

thank you friend for going out of your way to explain that.

[@LockNoob]

Thank you ;-)

[@rodneysnextchapter615]

Thanks for clearing this up for me.

[@LockNoob]

Thanks for watching :-)

[@DonzLockz]

Uding cutting edge graphics in locksport is rare. Nice explanation my friend.😉🍺✌

[@LockNoob]

Well, not quite cutting edge, but thank you :-)

[@72cmcinc]

Excellent explanation and graphics!

[@LockNoob]

Thanks :-)

[@martyhastings9347]

Worth every second . thanks for sharing and the good info.

[@LockNoob]

Thanks Marty

[@tonyholt90]

Nicely done, great video...

[@LockNoob]

Thanks :-)

[@monsrcook]

Nicely done. I liked the graphics a lot!

[@LockNoob]

Thank you :-)

[@ListentoGallegos]

I really like the visuals! Good stuff.

[@LockNoob]

Thanks 🙏

[@ArmoredMesa]

Thank you for this video. it is very informative, especially the graphics

[@LockNoob]

Thanks 🙏

[@pyratemage]

Thanks for the comparison. Not a huge difference for the most part in feel. I would love to see a similar vid with torpedo key pins. I haven't reached that level yet but have seen quite a few videos where the torpedo pins, especially as a key pin seem to give people trouble.

[@LockNoob]

The torpedo pins as key pins are fine... just don’t overset them :-)

[@magicdave93]

Brilliantly explained as usual 👍🔐

[@LockNoob]

Thanks 🙏

[@pointer2null]

The question that brought me here was "what is the correct orientation for a mushroom pin?" I gather from your video, that you can have them either way up - so which has the most pick resistance? It seems like having it in what you refer to at the 1st orientation is the best, which begs the question: what's the point of a mushroom pin; why not just use spools?

[@LockNoob]

I guess it picks differently each time while spools pick mostly the same each time? Can’t say I really know though :-)

[@vicenterivera5693]

Very informative. Thank you.

[@LockNoob]

Thanks 🙏

[@bjharada]

Great Explanation. Thanks Lock Noob.

[@LockNoob]

Thanks 🙏

[@howardtoob]

Great video as always. I have a deadbolt cylinder that has standard drive pins but they are different lengths? Can you tell me anything about why a lock might have drive pins that are not equal lengths? Many thanks.

[@JimBailey]

Excellent Thanks Lock Noob

[@LockNoob]

Thank you :-)

[@johntheexplainer]

Is the feel of the spool vs. the mushroom ultimately that different? I suppose that with a spool and the ‘cap down’ mushroom you have a sharp edge scraping against the core, vs. a smoother continuous surface with the ‘cap up’ mushroom. To put it another way - if you were selecting pins for a challenge lock, would you deliberately select a mushroom or a spool to achieve a specific effect? ( Notwithstanding the extraordinary little monsters you actually do use, obviously!)

[@LockNoob]

Well, I think you have to match the pin to the bitting. Where it will bind on the pin is probably as important as orientation

[@molie77]

Good explanation mate..... xxx

[@LockNoob]

Thank you :-)

[@Freddie_06]

This helped a lot. Thanks

[@LockNoob]

Thanks 🙏

[@kevinking217]

Thank you , very clear and understand . 👍👍👍👏👏👏

[@LockNoob]

Thanks 🙏

[@jeffmoss26]

great video!

[@LockNoob]

Thanks :-)

[@Kraken1000]

Excellent. I'd been wondering for ages. Now I know!

[@LockNoob]

Thanks :-)

[@thorlancaster5641]

Spools are fairly easy, mushrooms are harder, serrated spools are the best (I use them in challenge locks). Anyways, great video.

[@LockNoob]

Yes, the American Lock Pins are great :-)

[@credeis3124]

thx for the video, good work with that animations very helpful

[@LockNoob]

Thanks 🙏

[@phri6173]

Awesome video ash very good explanation and nice graphics :) did you do the animation yourself?

[@LockNoob]

Yes, but it’s more slide transitions than animation per se. I don’t have the time to properly animate. One day maybe :-)

[@antipode_ghost]

Thanks for a nice explanation. Where can I buy some mushroom pins?

[@LockNoob]

Sparrows make a reload kit which has some excellent mushroom pins in :-)

[@Leonslockpad]

This was a great video to watch buddy great graph😊😊👍👍😎😎

[@LockNoob]

Thanks Leon :-)

[@jamesbaumfeld6126]

Yet another informative vid, thanks noobster

[@LockNoob]

Thanks :-)

[@lorensw210]

Love your vids man, thank you. Very helpful! So why use musrooms pins at all? Seems like spools are superior in fulfilling the same purpose. I mean even if you feel a false set from a spool, and next pin you feel it again but shallower cuz it's actually a mushroom, it would still be more efficient to just have another spool in there rather then a mushroom, no?

[@LockNoob]

Mushrooms also have a taper, which means you are likely to have to pick it a few times . Spools usually don’t need to be picked more than twice

[@iggymac3473]

great info thanks LN

[@LockNoob]

Thanks Iggy

[@iggymac3473]

Thank you buddy

[@mrkultra1655]

Thanks

[@LockNoob]

No problem

[@x9x9x9x9x9]

Oh I just printed you pinning tray. I didn't know you had a youtube channel.

[@LockNoob]

I do! :-) welcome :-)

[@waddac2]

Great video and info buddy ;o))))

[@LockNoob]

Thanks my friend :-)

[@TallanPick]

Very cool graphics my friend, great job! ;o))

[@LockNoob]

Thanks you :-)

[@AteeqJuhani]

thank u

[@LockNoob]

You're welcome!

[@smartpersons2973]

Is there a way to make your own shim instead of bying professional ones?

[@LockNoob]

People use the thin metal inserts inside radio tags on CDs and DVDs etc :-)

[@declan9876]

I just cut apart aluminum soda cans

[@Gazz_R]

One is a pain in my arse, the other is a fun guy.........Bum Tish lol

[@LockNoob]

Ha, I forgive you ;-)

[@midnightduo1]

blessed be, lock noob

[@gregtunston5162]

iv ben wondering that myself good explanation and nice illustration

[@LockNoob]

Thanks :-)

[@PjD-pk1fg]

I've found security key pins in an old Yale is took apart.is this common? Does this mean you can have special key pins and driver pins?

[@LockNoob]

Yes and absolutely yes 👍

[@PjD-pk1fg]

@@LockNoobmany thanks.im still a complete novice at this!

[@PjD-pk1fg]

@@LockNoob can I send you the Yale lock in its pieces so you can hopefully make a video of how you put it back together? Have you got an address to send lock to?

[@-AdApt-]

So basically a half-assed spool ;)

[@bernard512tr]

And now a video about inner and outer pins?

[@hugodesrosiers-plaisance3156]

I smashed LIKE so fkin hard I broke my phone and it was worth it.

[@LockNoob]

Epico

[@stevehenke678]

Spool pins are shite a beef stew.

[@LockNoob]

Um...