Lock Picking Tutorial

I hope this post doesn’t cause any undo concern, but lock picking is not a difficult skill to learn (but still difficult to execute). With a little knowledge, the right tools, and enough time, just about any lock is vulnerable. A friend from work got me interested in lock picking so I spent some time learning about locking mechanisms. Before long, I was able to get past several locks I use today.

Lock Mechanism Basics

To pick a lock you need to be able to identify different types of locking mechanisms and how to manipulate them. There are lots of different types but this post will use a common cylinder lock as an example. Lots of doors and deadbolts are cylinder locks.

Cylinder Locks

A cylinder lock consists of a cylinder attached to a cam. When the cylinder is rotated, the cam pulls the bolt (or latch) free. The cylinder can house a pin tumbler lock, a wafer tumbler lock or a disc tumbler lock. Our example will focus on a pin tumbler lock.

Inside the cylinder is a series of pins. These pins are spring loaded and occur in pairs. They prevent the cylinder from rotating unless they are properly aligned (usually by the appropriate key). To turn the lock, all the pins need to lineup exactly with the sheer line. HowStuffWorks has some great animations showing exactly what happens when you insert a key.

Tools to Pick a Lock

I have a simple lock picking set from Southord (available from Amazon). It consists of nine picks, a broken key extractor, four tension tools, slip on vinyl sleeves, all in a small leather case. It’s a basic set but meets all my needs nicely.

Originally, I learned to pick locks using modified street sweeper bristles. The bare necessities are a tension wrench and a pick.

There is some legislation regarding owning a lock pick set. It differs from state to state so check your state laws before purchasing a set. Most states allow people to own a set unless you intend to do something illegal, much like owning a crowbar is legal unless you plan on hitting somebody with it.

How to Pick a Lock

Insert the tension wrench and apply some torque. Place the wrench on the lower portion of the lock as you’ll be working the pick along the upper portion. Don’t apply too much force or you’ll jam the pins. The torque causes the cylinder to rotate ever so slightly. But that movement creates a little edge for the pins to sit on as you align each one.

Insert a pick and start at the farthest pin (and work towards yourself). The number of pins varies but most door locks have about 6 pins. Move the pin up until you feel it catch and move on to the next. After lining up all the pins the cylinder will rotate.

The process sounds easier than it is. You often don’t know how many pins exist and it’s difficult to feel them move into place. Practice makes perfect.

Lock Picking Tips

• Gently apply torque – not too much, but enough to create that edge.
• Raking / scrubbing – is a technique that can be useful. Apply some torque, and quickly move the pick out of the lock. Hit all the pins on the way out and hopefully knock them into place.
• Sound and Feel – is all you have to go on. Listen for the click of pins, and try to feel the cylinder slowly moving as they line up.
• Give yourself time – it’s never as fast as you see on TV. Don’t become frustrated.

What do you think? Ever pick a lock? Any tips?

by: Ethan | March 2, 2009 | filed in: Fixtures & Furnishings
Related Tags: lock, picking

share this article: stumble digg

• 

Possibly Related Articles on this Site:

• Visual Guide to Lock Picking Book Review
• Review: Kwikset Smartkey Knob and Deadbolt
• Kwikset Ashfield Handleset Giveaway
• Mid-Week Round-up: Tiling a Kitchen BackSplash Edition