Attacking American Locks... Just How Does the Wafer Breaker Tool Work?

I have never really been satisfied with any of the guides or instructions I've ever seen which discuss using the Peterson Tools "Wafer Breaker" kit against an American Lock product that has a blocking shield installed at the rear of the plug.
So... I made this video for you all. Enjoy! 👍😁👍
Hat Tip to ‪@RubberBanned‬, by the way, for helping me to identify what keyway was used on that US marked padlock. 🔑
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[@dameanvil]

00:00 🗝️ American Locks are known for their quality, even though they are owned by Master Lock. They use high-quality pins, parts, and springs. 00:29 🔐 Lower N series American Locks are often targeted for bypass attacks due to their vulnerability. 01:11 🛠️ A bypass tool is used by inserting it away from the pins, reaching the back of the plug to manipulate the actuator cam. 02:46 🔨 A bump hammer can be used to ensure the bypass tool is properly seated by applying slight counterclockwise pressure. 03:40 🛡️ American Locks introduced shielding wafers to protect against bypass attacks on the rear side of the plug. 05:29 🛠️ To defeat a shielding wafer, a wafer breaker kit is used, which includes a punch and spreader tool. 08:42 🧐 After successfully bypassing a lock, it's possible to decode the pins and create a working key for future access. 16:47 🕵️‍♂️ Bypassing locks in a non-suspicious manner can grant long-term access without raising immediate concerns. 18:23 🎁 The giveaway includes a Wafer Breaker kit and a Peterson bypass tool, providing tools for lock enthusiasts to practice bypassing techniques.

[@JessicaFEREM]

I'm glad that they at least did *something* about how easy their locks are, and breaking into it would be pretty loud and a tad more time consuming than it was before.

[@Dwigt_Rortugal]

I love how you just put the information out there. In the past, it seemed like there was a lot of fear that "the information will get into the wrong hands." On a lot of subject matter in various contexts, that's still the case. "The wrong hands" will always find a way to gain the knowledge. Thankfully you're not wrong-handed.

[@DeviantOllam]

heh, i mean... i am left-handed, so... 😂

[@CiaranMaxwell]

@@DeviantOllam Oh, my. Sinister, are we?

[@jmr]

These are the best value for money to learn single pin picking of security pins. Some people are double shielding them because of the puncture tool.

[@DeviantOllam]

Yeah, I should do a video testing that next time!

[@Brian-hf9tc]

​@@DeviantOllam Can easily fit 2-3 blocker shields. Grease helps keep them together. But that doesn't prevent Lishi tool. Could probably incorporate an "extra" depth cut of "9 or x" Not sure how deep the pin chambers are drilled tho

[@SwinsonTerry]

I couldn’t figure out why my bypass wasn’t working despite having removed the security wafer. I didn’t realize just how much it took to get it seated all the way back. Opening them easily now with the bump hammer. Thanks.

[@jnelson4765]

As someone currently getting their butt kicked by trying to pick their 1100s, watching directed violence perpetrated against them is cathartic AF.

[@bowlsallbroken]

Some tips - use light tension and go from pin stack to pin stack sequentially and advance the serrated pins just one click at a time. Address any spools as they appear. Bare in mind that this lock has a strong spring - sometimes you'll have the core completely picked but it will look like it's just a deep false set. You have to pulse the tension much higher to open it.

[@pbpx]

I wonder how many times I bailed on one due to the strong spring when I actually had it. Definitely takes getting used to @@bowlsallbroken

[@BeeWhere]

I remember when Bosnian Bill showed this off a few years ago and his "secret" to increases security adding more wafers.

[@ponderinggeek7861]

The US Gov't 5200 used to use the American Keyway. But then Master did Master things. Ahhhh the good old days. Key-retaining actuator is the best way to thwart this. Or double up, triple up on blocking wafers. Looking forward to a part 2 when you talk about this.

[@retrohipster1060]

I bought a handful of older American locks for picking practice from a locksmith on eBay. You could tell he knew about this attack because there were like 2 or 3 wafers in each lock. I actually thought that that's how they all came. Honestly, I still feel like you could get through it with these tools because the spike tip on those tools seems to cut right through like butter. I mean a bump Hammer is not that heavy, but it's nice to know that the guy took the security seriously it in a way that nobody would know unless they dug in and looked at it. I'm still using those locks on my shed and my toolbox in the back of my truck. They've taken a beating from the weather for years and operate as smooth as the day I got them. American really made some amazing locks before Master bought them out. ( I've been out of the lockpicking game for years so I'm not sure if Master destroyed them or not. LOL)

[@MikeBaxterABC]

The vast majority of these locks are drilled 6 pinned 5 ... A short section of keyblank fastened in the end of the keyway, makes the Wafer Breaker unsuitable for bypass. I've actually went to the length of soldering in the short piece of keyblank, but there are many more ways of doing so. You can also simply install a pin in the last hole and pean the cylinder to keep it in place, but I admit I have not tested that method.

[@jeffmcmillan9191]

One of those spring punches you use for hinge pins would work way better than the bump hammer. The small weight moving faster is more effective on small things without much reaction mass compared to a big hammer moving slowly. It could probably drive the entire spreader tool through in one go.

[@DeviantOllam]

that's a really neat idea... if we make one with a slot in the front to hold/accept the tool... yeah!

[@killer2600]

I have my doubts...pounding a nail through something with a hammer or a spring punch? I think a hammer is more effective but tapping a rubber hammer on a nail might give one the impression that a hammer is ill-suited for driving nails through hard objects.

[@thelockpickinglebowski633]

I've never seen a video testing the wafer breaker on doubled up wafer installs. I'm curious to know if it would work.

[@DeviantOllam]

I definitely want to do this next

[@Brian-hf9tc]

You can also fit three

[@imhigh0013]

Deviant Olam... aught to do a health class video for young folks in school. Explains every so well, and offers the extra explanations.

[@EvanVanderStoep]

Another great explanation! I'm always interested in the latest vulnerabilities.

[@FrostyFrostySnow]

Seems like a decent security enhancement for the cost and effort

[@cameronrich2536]

I learn so much from these videos wish I could afford to take your classes

[@ryanwilson_canada]

Those are two tools that i haven't yet purchased. However they're on my list of things to buy, i do have an adams rite bypass, that i have yet to use lol. Hope everyone is taking care.

[@azbajabug9876]

It depends on the age of the US Set locks. I have several from my time in the military that have the American keyway, since Master didn't buy them 'till much later.

[@forefathersarms1776]

Awesome, thank you

[@bowlsallbroken]

The S1100 is another exception to the standard AM keyway - it uses the Master LOTO core.

[@stickinthemud23]

And as you have taught us all gun case key locks should be key retaining.

[@gburtshawca]

Work with lots of American padlocks thanks for update

[@camronbay1]

The biggest problem most have with the complete tool is using the punch to break through the wafer.

[@stanmarsh2499]

Just shine a light down the keyway. Silver=wafer. Brass=no wafer.

[@ncc74656m]

Another giveaway I totally want, hahaha

[@jeremy.-.s]

I've opened one american by picking and it was basically pure luck.. so frustrating lol, definitely gonna pick up a bypasser and wafer breaker

[@j.j.6050]

Put a rock in with the giveaway, and you've included a hammer.

[@monsterclass]

You got this video locked up

[@curley6531]

great information again dev! thanks for sharing

[@DeviantOllam]

You're very welcome! 😉👍

[@youtube.commentator]

2:18 I'm sure that didn't feel great

[@DeviantOllam]

It looks like I hit my hand but it just grazed off slightly, but good catch!

[@joeturbo64]

Excellent excellent video keep up the great work

[@TintagelEmrys]

Someone else who uses "Today's lucky 10,000"

[@ThisIsWhyWeCantHaveNiceThings.]

Hell yesh man I subscribed and I'll check your stuff. I've kinda been let down by covert instruments and sparrows here lately.

[@mem4021]

What is the advantage to the kinda destructive bypass over picking? Depending on one’s picking aptitude, the punch and wedge seem like a noisy and possibly more time consuming option.

[@GigsVT]

1100 isn't a trivial pick. It's intermediate skill level at least.

[@RealRickCox]

I never thought I'd see a video about a tool not being in far enough on your channel.... :)

[@DeviantOllam]

we all have our days when that happens sometimes

[@canoepick1140]

I like the explanation an improved tool I hacked out of some spare steel of the two holes punched at once. Not revolutionary but it means one round of slightly harder taps instead of repositioning and you always have your first pair of punches in the right spot.

[@chemputer]

American really should make those wafers out of some good old fashioned 12” face hardened Class A armor plate.

[@jdmillar86]

Regarding leaving forensic evidence, how about having a spare lock? once you've got the bitting as described, go repin another lock of the same type and swap em out.

[@DeviantOllam]

Indeed... that might be a possibility. Either that or replace the tail cam but leave the housing the same (so that it's the exact same color, sun fading, etc)

[@ericapelz260]

Great demo!

[@DeviantOllam]

Thanks for enjoying it! 😊👍

[@JiSe6669]

I wonder if one could make a bypass tool that is strong and sharp enough to be hammered through the wafer in one go?

[@PropGuru702]

So I guess my number one question walking away from this lesson would be.... Why don't they just design the bypass tool as robust as the "spreader" design so that it can't come loose and spin in the handle? If you want to take it a step further, why not design it like the common "kill key" where the main upper portion of the kill key would act as the punch, then combine the pieces to act as the spreader, then remove the top portion and use the bottom half with the flag as the bypass tool? 🤔 food for thought

[@kevinc9416]

Do you make it to Tennessee for classes? Would like to have you here.

[@youtube.commentator]

Pretty neat, thanks for sharing

[@DeviantOllam]

You bet 👍

[@tocsa120ls]

I was expecting a "Marc Tobias-solution" 😂

[@iggymac3473]

Always the great info bro love the video

[@helidude3502]

While replacing the wafer won’t hide the “forensics”, it could give the appearance of a previous issue that was already addressed 🤔

[@terrybradford3727]

This is awesome.

[@BlackSoap361]

Would a battery Dremel with a buffing wheel remove or obscure those marks inside the lock?

[@bloodvue]

At this point is it quicker to try a wave rake or scrubbing rather than spiking the lock?

[@ThisIsWhyWeCantHaveNiceThings.]

Bro i fucking love you! These dog shit instructions.lol Bro im fucking dying right now.

[@artstrutzenberg7197]

Saw near the end of the video that the key operates the lock (post attack). Have you ever encountered issues where this is not the case?

[@DeviantOllam]

I never have seen it fail to operate, but it's a good question to ask

[@FusionDeveloper]

I'm pretty sure I've seen videos of people putting 2 or 3 of those discs in there, instead of just 1.

[@DeviantOllam]

yes, that's definitely something people do... and now i want to test it/try it

[@greendryerlint]

Might it not be no more time-consuming and perhaps quieter to just use a Lishi tool and decode the bitting? Of course you'd need a bit of light, while it looks like you could do this attack mostly by feel.

[@Eurotool]

Happy Monday everyone. Let's see how to attack some American locks

[@tarickw]

so the problem with the wafers is that they are too thin and can be punched through. Do you think there would be a possibility to modify the design a bit such that a larger part of the cylinder is in the way?

[@jamesbridges7750]

You can stack 3 and they're pretty secure. 2 can still be broken, and more than 3 you start having less engagement with the cam.

[@gungadinn]

@@jamesbridges7750 The bypass wafers are nothing more than shim stock that's undergoes a punching operation. By the dozen, they're less than 25 cents a piece. I swap all of my American 1100 and 700 series locks over to 6 pin version APTC-14 cylinder, and use a piece of 1050 spring steel for wafers. For items i really want to protect the Abloy shielded padlocks with the Protec 2 cylinder is the way to go.

[@Chirael]

In case anyone wants to order blocking wafers to improve the security of their American locks (since the chance of someone having a wafer breaker kit and knowing how to use it is very small), it took some searching but it’s part number APKG3017010 Bypass Restriction Plate

[@Brian-hf9tc]

Mr. Lock sells them

[@Chirael]

@@Brian-hf9tc yes that was the first hit on that part number but I didn’t want to plug a particular vendor; I did confirm it’s not a Mr Lock specific part number though, since it was listed in the 2013 American Lock Service Manual

[@DeviantOllam]

yep! mrlock.com/part-bypass-restriction-plate-10-pk-apkg3017010/

[@DeviantOllam]

quite fair of you to not mention any one vendor. but yeah that's a solid price that Mr. Lock has

[@Brian-hf9tc]

@@DeviantOllam wasn't trying to drive sales his way, but that was the cheapest I found. And especially at small quantities

[@potterportraits]

does this work on a 1305, I am trying to pick one for a friend as it has sentimental value to him and i'm using it for a learning tool. and I really cannot get the tension figured out.

[@thegspot4131]

Me me me!👋

[@aguy3896]

Is this a re-upload? I swear I've seen this before.

[@DeviantOllam]

not from me... but maybe someone else did a video about it in the past, possibly Bill?

[@mikebeatstsb7030]

I wonder if you could use a small amount of water pressure or even air for that matter to budge the pins on lox

[@vart1on]

great video, i'm going to go buy a hammer and name it encouragement.

[@mahohmei]

Why doesn't American redesign their cylinders with a solid back?

[@DeviantOllam]

it would cost FAR more to mill a blind hole (especially one with the shape of the keyway) than it would to make a blocker element. if folk want much higher security they can also get the non-removable key variant of the padlock

[@kilometrekm]

@@DeviantOllam I've encountered hardened steel pins punched through the cylinder at the rear end as bypass blocker in some Chinese Tri-Circle padlocks. Just a thought.

[@user-sb1wc6gy2w]

I'm a bit concerned about the information your giving, Is it for locksport fans or the bad elements that have a different agenda. ?!! Robbie from huyton Liverpool UK

[@quickdiy8127]

I’ve been signing up every giveaway, did I not have to resubmit my email every giveaway? Lol I’m dumb

[@DeviantOllam]

You're all good.

[@joezuccardo3245]

All American locks are available with deadlocking were the key can't be removed when the lock is open, these tools will not work on these locks

[@DeviantOllam]

correct, i'm going to show that in an upcoming video

[@jayfowler4747]

Any one know if these are the same padlocks as the yale branded ones in the uk? I used to have one in anodised blue and it looks very similar, but that was before my interest in lock picking so i didnt look to closely.....

[@neon_Nomad]

I hate snapping the head off

[@DebakulumToughguts]

👍 für den Algorithmus

[@HolyHolyHandGrenade]

"Unlike my wife, who would prefer to read 10,000 words rather than watch ten seconds of KZbin video" I feel very called out. Sure, I'm here watching this now, but when I want _instructions,_ I want them written, just because I read super fast. Plus I feel like 90% of the time the ten seconds of video is bookended by five minutes of bullshit that doesn't address my question/use case. (Thank you for not being that video; when you do digress, it always feels worth it.)

[@YouTube_username.]

How does American Lock still ... exist? American "Lock" rather.

[@DeviantOllam]

It's a brand that has a lot of name recognition and cache... Master lock has nibbled at the edges and even produces square-bodied padlocks that almost perfectly mimic some of the cheaper American lock options, but they are still keeping production going for the time being

[@YouTube_username.]

@@DeviantOllam. A real eye-opener, cheers. Amazing that a skeleton key for sale doesn't seem to be too much of an issue for them to do much of anything about it 🤯

[@vega1287]

if it's 10000 words or 10 seconds of youtube but an image says a thousend words then at a normal 60 fps the video will have said 600000 words.

[@brocktechnology]

This isn't what I'd call a low skill attack. I feel like anyone that's gonna bother practicing this attack already has adequate picking skills to defeat these locks. Also, aren't these locks gonna fall to the wave rake pretty quickly?

[@gozzendk]

Nice tools - Thanks for the video 👍

[@PaulSteMarie]

That's pretty pathetic performance from the wafer. Does anyone manufacture a more resistant wafer, thicker and/or hardened?

[@Brian-hf9tc]

They're stainless steel, and you can fit three of them in there

[@curtishoffmann6956]

Very surreptitious. "Please ignore the tapping - just checking if the mic in the lock is working right."

[@azbajabug9876]

It depends on the age of the US Set locks. I have several from my time in the military that have the American keyway, since Master didn't buy them 'till much later.

[@DeviantOllam]

yes this is correct