How to pick locks
October 26, 2010 12:49 AM Subscribe
Picking locks for fun and education!
I taught myself to do this when we moved into a new apartment building and the old owners had left their padlock on our storage locker.
It's both easy and harder than you think! The picking component - on the majority of basic padlocks and doors is relatively simple. You can individually push the pins, but raking it is surprisingly effective.
The harder part is actually putting the right tension on the barrel of the lock. Too much, and you won't be able to push the pins; too little, and they won't stay down. You really have to learn to feel the lock and listen for the subtle clicks that tell you the pin's going down.
It's easier for you guys in the US, you can buy kits there. Over here, kits are illegal so I had to make mine from some repurposed mini-screwdriver set.
What you're actually talking about is called Locksport.
There are a variety of forums, wikis, and associations (note, locksport seems to be down atm), out there if you're interested.
You'll need a relatively steady hand, some patience, phat skills if you think a paperclip will suffice, and some old, cheap locks to practice on. But it's reasonably fun!
It took me about two/three days practice for most of the day to get a straight pin, medium quality padlock. Be aware that mushroom pins are an order of magnitude harder. I initially started practicing on a lock with mushroom pins and it kicked my arse.
posted by smoke at 1:20 AM on October 26, 2010 [2 favorites]
It's both easy and harder than you think! The picking component - on the majority of basic padlocks and doors is relatively simple. You can individually push the pins, but raking it is surprisingly effective.
The harder part is actually putting the right tension on the barrel of the lock. Too much, and you won't be able to push the pins; too little, and they won't stay down. You really have to learn to feel the lock and listen for the subtle clicks that tell you the pin's going down.
It's easier for you guys in the US, you can buy kits there. Over here, kits are illegal so I had to make mine from some repurposed mini-screwdriver set.
What you're actually talking about is called Locksport.
There are a variety of forums, wikis, and associations (note, locksport seems to be down atm), out there if you're interested.
You'll need a relatively steady hand, some patience, phat skills if you think a paperclip will suffice, and some old, cheap locks to practice on. But it's reasonably fun!
It took me about two/three days practice for most of the day to get a straight pin, medium quality padlock. Be aware that mushroom pins are an order of magnitude harder. I initially started practicing on a lock with mushroom pins and it kicked my arse.
posted by smoke at 1:20 AM on October 26, 2010 [2 favorites]
"Well, your Honour, I know the charge sheet says burglary, but I prefer to think of it as a therapeutic break from electronic gadgets."
posted by robcorr at 1:23 AM on October 26, 2010
posted by robcorr at 1:23 AM on October 26, 2010
It's easier for you guys in the US, you can buy kits there.
This must vary from state to state in the U.S. I explicitly remember seeing news items about someone picked up a lock picking kit and being charged with possession of burglary tools. Apparently, though, they were a burglar. Then again, this Illinois, where one can be arrested for taking video of police officers in public spaces, so who really knows.
posted by IvoShandor at 1:53 AM on October 26, 2010
This must vary from state to state in the U.S. I explicitly remember seeing news items about someone picked up a lock picking kit and being charged with possession of burglary tools. Apparently, though, they were a burglar. Then again, this Illinois, where one can be arrested for taking video of police officers in public spaces, so who really knows.
posted by IvoShandor at 1:53 AM on October 26, 2010
It's easier for you guys in the US, you can buy kits there. Over here, kits are illegal so I had to make mine from some repurposed mini-screwdriver set.
I thought they were only illegal if carried with intent (though it's likely a state issue).
I know that Aus customs allow the dealextreme kits through (or rather: have allowed). That said, I'm crap at it.
posted by pompomtom at 2:38 AM on October 26, 2010
I thought they were only illegal if carried with intent (though it's likely a state issue).
I know that Aus customs allow the dealextreme kits through (or rather: have allowed). That said, I'm crap at it.
posted by pompomtom at 2:38 AM on October 26, 2010
Practice pompomtom! It's all in getting the right tension, once you understand when the tension is good, it's so, so much easier. I went from taking +25 minutes for a padlock down to about 1-2 minutes. :)
Interesting to know about the deal extreme, thanks for the heads up!
posted by smoke at 3:20 AM on October 26, 2010
Interesting to know about the deal extreme, thanks for the heads up!
posted by smoke at 3:20 AM on October 26, 2010
Pompomtom's right that the rules in Australia vary from State to State, and are changing, so folks should check the rules before they import anything.
posted by robcorr at 4:29 AM on October 26, 2010
posted by robcorr at 4:29 AM on October 26, 2010
Cached image of the Master Lock worksheet just because it's so damned handy and well-designed.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 4:32 AM on October 26, 2010 [4 favorites]
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 4:32 AM on October 26, 2010 [4 favorites]
timing! I was just thinking yesterday (prompted by watching my SO pick a virtual lock in Fallout: NV) that I really ought to teach myself to pick locks. This will be my new project.
posted by corvine at 7:47 AM on October 26, 2010
posted by corvine at 7:47 AM on October 26, 2010
Good post. To me, picking locks is one of those 'boy things' that I had to teach myself to do.
posted by 999 at 8:23 AM on October 26, 2010
posted by 999 at 8:23 AM on October 26, 2010
I got my MPXS-20 kit sent to an address in Brooklyn, NY. it wasn't labeled LOCKPICKS or anything so I'm guessing they can be sent anywhere in the US. Outside the country would be hit or miss as the customs form has to have something declared on it.
As an aside, I finally got my Arctic Laser last week. The form distinctly said laser on it and the package was untouched. People in other states have had their packages opened or just confiscated outright.
Local enforcement is the issue it would seem.
The Lockpicking 101 site is the place to go for instructions on do it yourself kits. Great FPP.
posted by Splunge at 8:26 AM on October 26, 2010
As an aside, I finally got my Arctic Laser last week. The form distinctly said laser on it and the package was untouched. People in other states have had their packages opened or just confiscated outright.
Local enforcement is the issue it would seem.
The Lockpicking 101 site is the place to go for instructions on do it yourself kits. Great FPP.
posted by Splunge at 8:26 AM on October 26, 2010
I have a master lock with combination 24-2-14. If I correctly understand the instructions on the sheet, this number will never be tried.
posted by Obscure Reference at 10:49 AM on October 26, 2010
posted by Obscure Reference at 10:49 AM on October 26, 2010
I have a master lock with combination 24-2-14. If I correctly understand the instructions on the sheet, this number will never be tried.
That is correct. However many Master locks have two weaknesses which together are fatal:
1) by feeling where the wheel stops turning when there's the tension on the hinge, and following some simple steps (based on the internal design of the lock) it is very easy to determine the last digit
2) Because of the way the lock is constructed, there are a large number of first two digit sequences that will open the lock (but the last one has to be completely correct)
So this method works by first determining the correct final numbers, and then by trying about 100 combinations for the first two numbers which are guaranteed to open it.
I'm curious to see if it works though! Try it.
posted by atrazine at 12:36 PM on October 26, 2010
That is correct. However many Master locks have two weaknesses which together are fatal:
1) by feeling where the wheel stops turning when there's the tension on the hinge, and following some simple steps (based on the internal design of the lock) it is very easy to determine the last digit
2) Because of the way the lock is constructed, there are a large number of first two digit sequences that will open the lock (but the last one has to be completely correct)
So this method works by first determining the correct final numbers, and then by trying about 100 combinations for the first two numbers which are guaranteed to open it.
I'm curious to see if it works though! Try it.
posted by atrazine at 12:36 PM on October 26, 2010
More detailed instructions on how to open Master locks.
posted by atrazine at 12:44 PM on October 26, 2010
posted by atrazine at 12:44 PM on October 26, 2010
Also the Maker Shed has a beginner lock picking kit for cheap.
posted by thewalledcity at 6:00 PM on October 26, 2010
posted by thewalledcity at 6:00 PM on October 26, 2010
What about "American Lock" combo locks? I've forgotten the combo to one I have somewhere. I tried a quick search, but I couldn't find helpful info.
posted by InsertNiftyNameHere at 5:12 AM on October 27, 2010
posted by InsertNiftyNameHere at 5:12 AM on October 27, 2010
What about "American Lock" combo locks?
Pull down on the lock (while locked) very hard. Now, try turning the dial. You'll find the harder you pull down, the less the dial wants to rotate. Let up a slight bit, enough to spin the dial. At several points in the rotation the dial will feel like it's falling into a groove and you'll have to release your pull on the lock in order to keep rotating the dial. When you hit a groove, reverse direction. You might not get the combo in the first try, but you'll find some grooves are much deeper than others. American Brand locks are notorious for this… I used to be able to open American locks faster without looking than the owners of the lock could using the combination!
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 5:35 AM on October 27, 2010
Pull down on the lock (while locked) very hard. Now, try turning the dial. You'll find the harder you pull down, the less the dial wants to rotate. Let up a slight bit, enough to spin the dial. At several points in the rotation the dial will feel like it's falling into a groove and you'll have to release your pull on the lock in order to keep rotating the dial. When you hit a groove, reverse direction. You might not get the combo in the first try, but you'll find some grooves are much deeper than others. American Brand locks are notorious for this… I used to be able to open American locks faster without looking than the owners of the lock could using the combination!
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 5:35 AM on October 27, 2010
Oh, and also…
If I correctly understand the instructions on the sheet, this number will never be tried.
It doesn't have to. You only have to get within 2 digits of each number in the combination for it to open. Instead of 24-2-14, try 25-3-15 or 23-1-13. All should work.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 5:37 AM on October 27, 2010
If I correctly understand the instructions on the sheet, this number will never be tried.
It doesn't have to. You only have to get within 2 digits of each number in the combination for it to open. Instead of 24-2-14, try 25-3-15 or 23-1-13. All should work.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 5:37 AM on October 27, 2010
Civil_Disobedient: "Pull down on the lock... "
Cool! Thanks! I'll have to hunt that bugger down and give this a whirl just to see if I can do it. Then I just have to remember to not rely on that lock (or any others it seems) to be any real sort of protection from a skilled person who wants whatever the lock is "protecting."
Maybe I can amaze my niece with this if I can get good enough at it.
posted by InsertNiftyNameHere at 12:02 AM on October 28, 2010
Cool! Thanks! I'll have to hunt that bugger down and give this a whirl just to see if I can do it. Then I just have to remember to not rely on that lock (or any others it seems) to be any real sort of protection from a skilled person who wants whatever the lock is "protecting."
Maybe I can amaze my niece with this if I can get good enough at it.
posted by InsertNiftyNameHere at 12:02 AM on October 28, 2010
« Older Forget stuffed tigers | I have made a decision. Newer »
This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments
posted by WalterMitty at 12:52 AM on October 26, 2010 [5 favorites]