[153] DIY How To Fully Disassemble An American Lock

[@HelpfulLockPicker]

As others have suggested, if you add some grease to the ball bearings it will make the move around less and much easier to set them in place. They can be very pesky and do not like to stay in place otherwise. Thank you to briarberrycove and Albert Lebel for the suggestion!

[@BoredLockpicker]

HelpfulLockPicker magnet dude. Holds right in place and you don’t get all greasy

[@HelpfulLockPicker]

Thanks for sharing with me how you handle your balls

[@daemonsca]

A magnet might be a better option, no?

[@kellytoth5866]

First video I’ve ever seen stripping a lock down to the actuator. Not only that, but you demonstrated how to reassemble it, which is also rarely shown. Wish I had this video 2 years ago. Well done.

[@HelpfulLockPicker]

Thank you for the kind words! I noticed that there was a lack of content on this subject and I was surprised and had fun making the video. I am glad it was helpful!

[@Claps1775]

Great video. My actuator came apart and I was trying to figure out how to put it back together and keep tension. Pausing your video, zooming in, and then I figured it out.

[@SadisticPicker]

4 years later and this is still helping! Appreciate ya bud!

[@HelpfulLockPicker]

Thank you for checking it out and I am glad it helps!

[@chriscapune7873]

Success! Was able to fully disassemble an American 1100 and put it back together! Took awhile because my cat made off with one of the ball bearings. Once I got it back the lock went together quickly. For setting the actuator I used one of my followers with the half cut in the end of it, worked great. Thanks for all the info!

[@HelpfulLockPicker]

chris capune congrats on the success! That's why I close the door and keep my cats out during stuff like this lol.

[@RookieLock]

I remember when I learned how to do this, I was soo proud of myself, I thought It was soo cool to see the whole lock disassembled.

[@HelpfulLockPicker]

Rookie Lock thank you for checking it out :-) it is really fun to do!

[@Trains-With-Shane]

Thank you for posting this. I picked up a ~1986 US Military 5200 which im hoping has a similar internal design. It came in a random assortment of other stuff and has had the shackle cut on it. I'm hoping to replace the shackle with parts from a donor 5200.

[@martyhastings9347]

very interesting. i have an American lock just like that one and i will be striping it down right after this message. thanks for the good info and thanks for sharing.

[@HelpfulLockPicker]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@connorbbuttons]

Thank you immensely for this video. My locks have been buggered for quite some time and just followed your video to take it apart and clean it up a bit.. awesome video can't thank you enough.

[@HelpfulLockPicker]

Thank you for the kind words and I am glad it helps!

[@philburrous6178]

I followed along and everything went smooth. Great tutorial!

[@HelpfulLockPicker]

Thank you for the kind words, I am glad you had success and it worked out well for you!

[@deanp1359]

Thank you for this video! I just SPP’d my first 1105 a little bit ago and now I know how to take the core out!

[@HelpfulLockPicker]

congrats! That is a huge level up :-)

[@DavidKomando]

Great tutorial! I actually needed this a couple days ago and there wasn't much content out there on the specific full disassembly.

[@HelpfulLockPicker]

David Komando thank you for the kind words

[@Redneck_Engineer]

where did you get that actuator tool? I have an old American lock I can't get apart, because it won't re-lock without turning the key. So I need to turn the sticky actuator after the core is out to close the shackle to get it apart to fix it. Thanks.

[@HelpfulLockPicker]

It comes as part of the American Lock Service Kit

[@noobgamer357t9]

Thanks for the video I used 23 of these same style locks at work and my boss said we need to clean them 100% and the only guy that knew how to tear them down quit a week ago so I get to be the smart guy now

[@HelpfulLockPicker]

Thank you for being that guy every lock needs a good cleaning every now and then

[@AlbertLebel]

Nicely done. I have found that a very small dab of heavy grease will hold the ball bearings in place. They can drive you crazy. LOL

[@HelpfulLockPicker]

Albert Lebel someone else mentioned that too, that is definitely a great suggestion :-)

[@gamerzk1llz894]

Hello sir, is it the same method to disassemble most locks ?

[@HelpfulLockPicker]

Many padlocks are similar

[@gamerzk1llz894]

@@HelpfulLockPicker thank you! Just bought my first American lock can't wait to try it

[@Ianjowett1]

great practical advice as always thanks , my go to channel .

[@HelpfulLockPicker]

Ian Jowett thank you for the kind words :-)

[@briarberrycove5218]

Cool video. Nice detail... One thing you might try as far as keeping the ball bearings in place for a bit. Just put a little grease on them, shove 'em in and the friction from the grease will hold them long enough for the remaining assembly. And if your worried about the grease, just shoot some contact cleaner down the chamber. Excellent video my friend...

[@HelpfulLockPicker]

Briarberrycove Thanks, I like that suggestion a lot! They can be quite pesky

[@dugy40]

What is the name of those tools. Actuator? Where can I buy? Thank you.

[@Planteatingmammal]

I stumbled across your channel.. I have a question for anyone smarter than myself in regards to locks. I have a master Lock barbell receiver hitch lock. I picked it, so I have it removed. But do not have a key. Or the code. Can the tumbler be removed?. There's a pin it looks like holding it in. But its pressed... I can't figure it out.. any ideas?.. ,

[@HelpfulLockPicker]

You could likely impression a key pretty easily

[@mario7mag]

I am trying to save an older 1988 1305 series lock. I ordered a new keyed cylinder and I tried removing the actuator like in your video but everything went south and could remove it. Could I possible send the lock to you for repair?

[@HelpfulLockPicker]

I just want to make sure. You were or were not able to get the actuator out? I don't have a lot of free time at the moment but I can speak more wit you about it.

[@mario7mag]

@@HelpfulLockPicker thank you so much for responding, I was able to get everything going with the help of your videos. New actuator, cylinder and set of new keys. Works brand new!! Thank you!

[@LockNoob]

Nice strip down :-)

[@HelpfulLockPicker]

Lock Noob thank you for the kind words!

[@13strikeasnare]

Helped me repair my loto work locks. Thank you

[@HelpfulLockPicker]

Thanks for checking it out and I am glad it helped!

[@derickkeaton5440]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge

[@HelpfulLockPicker]

Thank you for checking it out

[@bird718]

educational, its going to save someone a few hours, i learned the hard way and almost gave up a few times.

[@HelpfulLockPicker]

Thanks for checking it out

[@DonzLockz]

I never knew but now I know. Very helpful. 🍺👍🏽

[@HelpfulLockPicker]

Don'z Lockz thank you for the kind words!

[@brightarm]

Nice. I had no idea how to strip one down like that. Thanks bro!

[@HelpfulLockPicker]

brightarm no problem, I'm glad it helped :-) it is pretty fun to do. But getting those ball bearings back in can be a nuisance at times

[@brightarm]

No doubt it is. American locks are my nemesis atm, and I like seeing anything about their function and teardowns.

[@HelpfulLockPicker]

brightarm I made this video a while back called "American Locks Tips and Tricks". Hopefully it could be useful to you others have said it has helped in the past kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5u9lWuogKt0i7M

[@donaldmccann3217]

How do I find a tool for the Actuator

[@HelpfulLockPicker]

You could try eBay. I mostly only see them for sale on locksmith distrubtor

[@fryloc359]

I used to pop them apart so I could move the core from one body to another so I could have different color locks.

[@HelpfulLockPicker]

Thank you for sharing your approach

[@gantry289]

Thanks for doing this breakdown.

[@HelpfulLockPicker]

Gantry thank you for the kind words! It was fun to make :-)

[@johnchilders1665]

I can not for the life me get the actuator out. If I bang it any harder I’ll hurt myself lol. Any other idea ?

[@HelpfulLockPicker]

Have you tried adding a lubricant?

[@johnchilders1665]

HelpfulLockPicker I just figured it out so listen up anyone who has and or are struggling to get the actuator out. Here’s the secret.... long needle nose pliers. Lol. Slight little tug and it pops right out. Ps. I enjoy your videos! Keep up the good work.

[@chriscapune7873]

Is there a way to send a picture of what I might be talking about?

[@HelpfulLockPicker]

Can you please refresh me on what we you would like to see a picture of?

[@chriscapune7873]

Nice info! Will give it a try! Really like my American locks. Chris

[@HelpfulLockPicker]

chris capune thank you for the kind words! You really should try it, it's a lot of fun :-)

[@jeffmoss26]

field stripping of the American 1100 series!

[@HelpfulLockPicker]

Jeff Moss thanks for checking it out, it's a lot of fun

[@jmanlinc]

I made my own tool out of a spare tumbler I had by cutting the flat part off

[@HelpfulLockPicker]

Thanks for sharing

[@jmanlinc]

@@HelpfulLockPicker thanks for the video, I didn't know how to get the shackle out, you helped me turn 2 wrecked locks into one good lock

[@Jaehova26]

Mine doesnt have a screw its a 3200 series

[@HelpfulLockPicker]

That is unfortunate :(

[@Westhelockpicker]

I can't get the actuator outta mine no matter how hard I bang it against something

[@HelpfulLockPicker]

I just saw your email and also responded. I am not exactly sure what to recommend. Maybe adding a little lubricant. Can you stick a pick in there and see if you can loosen it?

[@Westhelockpicker]

@@HelpfulLockPicker I tried but it won't budge and I'm holding the shackle down. I think it might just be packed full of grease, you should of seen the grease when I took out the protective wafer. Loads of it everywhere!!

[@HelpfulLockPicker]

@@Westhelockpicker I can ask boredlockpicker he is usually good at this sort of thing

[@dmourati]

bypassable?

[@HelpfulLockPicker]

They can be if the plate isn't present or damaged

[@Westhelockpicker]

Those ball bearings can be a pain in the ass. You should of shown how the bypass tool works since that one didn't have the protective wafer in it

[@HelpfulLockPicker]

That is fair, I can always do that down the road. I do want to redo this video down the road since I have a much better setup now anyway

[@danthompson5797]

Thanks.

[@littlehills739]

thanks

[@HelpfulLockPicker]

Welcome

[@silverstrings5569]

Good tutorial, but it will not work on ALL American locks. 200 series, for instance

[@HelpfulLockPicker]

Thanks for sharing! Either way, it is a good thing to know how to do :)

[@KF1]

Do you ever feel when reassembling a lock that it would be nice to just return the damn thing to the store in pieces? Or at least throw it in that general direction? Having such trouble reassembling a chinese-made round body padlock (princess auto powerfist brand). The ball bearings are a damn nightmare to sit aside right. finally got them into their homes. Sadly, I found the actuator did not fit nicely back down the hole and kept getting jammed, which of course caused the ball bearings to roll back to center. Then the spring and actuator clip went flying when I tried to release it again. This takes some serious skill, I see. Thankfully pot is legal where I live, so I can at least enjoy a fatty and just watch some of your vids while my lock sits in shambles awaiting some deft operation badly lacking on my part. Made me feel better to see your lock go back together. The actuator, actuator spring and clip are similarly shaped, so maybe I will have better luck with this on screen. In short, holy crap, man.

[@KF1]

20 minutes later finally got it. That clip on the actuator must have popped off 10x trying. Finally in there and all back together!! thanks for showing the pieces, helped a lot to see the orientation.

[@HelpfulLockPicker]

Thanks for sharing

[@KF1]

@@HelpfulLockPicker Aha sorry for the rant. I was frustrated. Have a good day

[@itsallinhow]

STICKY ACTUATOR removal - HOW TO - LINK TO MANUAL this wonderful doc from masterlock about assembly disassembly of american locks. It was essential for me getting an actuator out as the lube in the lock was not it seems allowing HLP's banging suggestion to work. Here's the link: cdn.masterlock.com/masterlock_eu/resources/documents/pdf/American_Lock_Service_Manual.pdf (See page 20) It involves having the lock open, and grabbing the actuator in that position with some long nose pliers - it works to jiggle it out - i noticed the shackle came out and spring before the actuator was fully out. Thank you so so much HLP for this video!

[@HelpfulLockPicker]

Thank you for sharing

[@BoredLockpicker]

i use a magnet to hold the balls out of the way. You can see it about two minutes in on this video I made kzbin.info/www/bejne/f3-WmqV7frFnqs0 on this same subject about a year ago

[@HelpfulLockPicker]

Thank you for sharing!

[@troyna77]

you sound a lot like the a younger lock picking lawyer.

[@HelpfulLockPicker]

Thank you for checking out the video! I will take that as a compliment :)

[@garygeurian4565]

open one with out a key

[@HelpfulLockPicker]

Why

[@johnbell6114]

It would help to pick a locked lock, then to decode for a key, or reset to a key you have.