Pick'en a Mills lock

[Jackpot]

Hi There,

I know how to pick regular lock's, had a friend that was a lock smith years ago. But never asked him about the mills lock. I just bought a Jennings with two mills locks on the back doors and no keys. Well I bought it a couple months ago, but I cant stand the idea of drilling those locks. The glass is so bad I can't even see the reels, It's about the right weight so I think it has a mechanism in it, but it could be a tow chain in there for all I know because it's locked. I have a pile of mills keys but so far no luck. Anyone ever pick one of these mills locks, or have an idea how to grind a mills key into some kind of pick? What is mills locks doing on this Jennings anyway, I haven't a clue. But is is a very nice machine, with skill stops, and all the molding like the lighting casting on the one side. I wonder what is inside, if it is a tow chain I hope it's not another rusty one. I was hoping the old owner would find some keys if I game him some time, no luck there, and it's time to look inside. Any pick'en ideas?
Thank You
Rodger Knutson

[Jackpot]

Another photo;

[Dave]

The lock smith I use in Denver can pick a Mills lock. I have no idea how he does it though.

It would be a shame to drill it out, however, Mills locks are not that expensive and it might be cheaper in the end to do that.

[Jackpot]

Hi Dave,

Thanks for the information, if you ever talk to him would you ask him if he uses his regular picks or if he made a pick out of a mills key to work kind of the same way. Or if he has done a few mills locks maybe I could call him and try talking to him. I have mills locks and could drill it, but damn, I just hate to to that, and these look like real nice locks. Ever see these Bell locks used in a jennings machine? I am going to try a couple different picking ideas I have. If I have any luck I'll pass the information on. P.S. PLEASE don't forget to look for a Melon Jack pot for me in Chicago. If you see one garb it for me, they can't be to over priced, can they? I seen some on ebay a few years ago but nothing now.
Rodger

[Dave]

Hi Dave,

Thanks for the information, if you ever talk to him would you ask him if he uses his regular picks or if he made a pick out of a mills key to work kind of the same way. Or if he has done a few mills locks maybe I could call him and try talking to him. I have mills locks and could drill it, but damn, I just hate to to that, and these look like real nice locks. Ever see these Bell locks used in a jennings machine? I am going to try a couple different picking ideas I have. If I have any luck I'll pass the information on. P.S. PLEASE don't forget to look for a Melon Jack pot for me in Chicago. If you see one garb it for me, they can't be to over priced, can they? I seen some on ebay a few years ago but nothing now.
Rodger

Rodger:

The lock smith's name is Mike Dire. He owns Dires Lock & Key. You might try giving him a call. I don't have his number handy but I am sure you can use www.dexonline to find it.

Dave

[PA23]

The Mills lock is actually pretty easy to pick, I learned when I was a kid, it takes just a little bit of practice.

What you do is take two metal rods (finishing nails work as well) that are thin enough and long enough to hold onto to put into the lock, make sure that you get the rods above and below the pins! (putting a small point on the rod will help) next start wiggling the rods up and down while keeping a slight tension in a clockwise direction.

As long as the lock isn't frozen it will open. How long it takes depends upon your skill (or luck). You will not damage the lock at all doing this so I'd suggest you try it first on a lock you know works smoothly so you can get an idea of what you are doing.

Picking the Mills lock is really no different than picking any other lock, what you need to do is line up the sheer line between the pins and the lock housing, and by keeping the constant pressure on the lock you end up using the slop in the lock to your advantage. When you "wiggle" one of the pins up and down you'll cause it to get stuck below the shear line, just do that over and over again until they are all clear and the lock will pop open.

Jeff