lockpicks

[7i8_Dago]

im a novice when it comes to lock picking.

this is on another topic from the other lock pick thread.

2 questions.

1. i sometimes see a tension wench and 2 picks going inside a lock. is it possible to know which is the best combo. like a half diamond with a hook pick going in together, or a snowman pick with a hook? or a ( s ) rake going in with a half daimond? which do you think is the best?

2. i have the tools to make the picks myself but im having a little bit of trouble and i need guidance. i want to flatten the tip of a small clothes hanger wire to .5 millimeters. i could either smash it with a hammer till it gets to the size i want it too * a totsean reccomended this once * , or heat it to a high temperature and when its get red hot, i crush it.

eh? ehh?................:facepalm: gosh i suck. :(

edit, is there a link in the sticky of the diy to help me or answer the questions in case you guys are lazy in posting the answers. theres some i saw interested but when i went to it, it was'nt cool.

[The Phreak]

im new to this also but recntly aquired some stanley picks i will post of from walmart.

[7i8_Dago]

nevermind about my two questions.

i only need 1 pick and a tumbler. i was a little confused but now its cleared up.

tempering metal ( heating it ) makes the steel brittle.

my new question is now, how thick should the edge of a home made pick be?

im pondering if it should be like a razor or more, but less then a blunt saw blade.

http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/5623/picks.jpg

liquidice posted this. looks pretty damn good.

[SHARP]

tempering metal ( heating it ) makes the steel brittle.

Yes, but you should never apply enough pressure to your pick, to break it...
As I'm sure you're already aware, lock picking isn't about forcing your way through, it's tricking your way through, lifting pins doesn't take a whole lot of force, but lifting them right takes skill.

my new question is now, how thick should the edge of a home made pick be?

im pondering if it should be like a razor or more, but less then a blunt saw blade.

Mine are made from a saw blade (from a pivot band saw that's meant to cut steel) and they're 0.6 mm thick.
I haven't been able to find a better/cheaper material, and I can get what I want; it's just an order away...

[Virus]

Well dang, now I'm going to have to show my true colors.....

nevermind about my two questions.

i only need 1 pick and a tumbler. i was a little confused but now its cleared up.

You need one pick and a tension wrench. A tumbler usually refers to a type of lock:

http://www.crypto.com/papers/notes/picking/s-2keyedopen.jpg

tempering metal ( heating it ) makes the steel brittle

Tempering is the process of using heat to make a metal harder. Simply heating it without quenching it is annealing. Annealing the metal will make it softer.

This is why when you temper metal and quench it the first time after it turns cherry red, you heat it again until it turns a straw color then give it the second quench. You can determine how hard and how brittle a metal is with different tempering techniques.

my new question is now, how thick should the edge of a home made pick be?

im pondering if it should be like a razor or more, but less then a blunt saw blade.

http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/5623/picks.jpg

liquidice posted this. looks pretty damn good.

I do not have a caliper on me so I can't measure my set. It really depends on the lock you are picking, but I'm not comfortable discussing this. General rule is that a high carbon steel hacksaw blade shaped into a pick is good for most locks.

[7i8_Dago]

Well dang, now I'm going to have to show my true colors.....



You need one pick and a tension wrench. A tumbler usually refers to a type of lock:

http://www.crypto.com/papers/notes/picking/s-2keyedopen.jpg



Tempering is the process of using heat to make a metal harder. Simply heating it without quenching it is annealing. Annealing the metal will make it softer.

This is why when you temper metal and quench it the first time after it turns cherry red, you heat it again until it turns a straw color then give it the second quench. You can determine how hard and how brittle a metal is with different tempering techniques.



I do not have a caliper on me so I can't measure my set. It really depends on the lock you are picking, but I'm not comfortable discussing this. General rule is that a high carbon steel hacksaw blade shaped into a pick is good for most locks.

srry, i meant tension, i wanna do it before this monday.

today, i used my grinder and made the hook pick.

its looks REALLY good, a little chinks could be taken out, but nontheless, its looks really damn awesome for my first pick. im gonna post picks tommorow.

i also tried making a half diamond pick, but i made it bad and looks like a deformed hook pick :(

[Virus]

srry, i meant tension, i wanna do it before this monday.

today, i used my grinder and made the hook pick.

its looks REALLY good, a little chinks could be taken out, but nontheless, its looks really damn awesome for my first pick. im gonna post picks tommorow.

i also tried making a half diamond pick, but i made it bad and looks like a deformed hook pick :(

Hey, everyone always screws up their first metal working project. Everyone. I do not recommend bench grinders because they are not great for precise removal of metal. A dremel or other rotary tool is superior.

You did have a quench cup so you kept the metal cool when you were grinding, right?

My personal preference is the half diamond over the hook because you find pins faster, but you need to use all of the picks to find what works for you.

[7i8_Dago]

Hey, everyone always screws up their first metal working project. Everyone. I do not recommend bench grinders because they are not great for precise removal of metal. A dremel or other rotary tool is superior.

You did have a quench cup so you kept the metal cool when you were grinding, right?

My personal preference is the half diamond over the hook because you find pins faster, but you need to use all of the picks to find what works for you.

yep. i thought id do bad, but i actually did good. not great but good. but then i thought id do awesome with the half diamond but it turned out bad :o


i had a cup near me, but i would sometimes forget to use it, but i noticed to dunk the pick in it after it started to glow a little red.

ok, thanks for the info. im not gonna use this for criminal activities. i just wanna learn it because its a good skill to have. not too many know it.

[Virus]

yep. i thought id do bad, but i actually did good. not great but good. but then i thought id do awesome with the half diamond but it turned out bad :o


i had a cup near me, but i would sometimes forget to use it, but i noticed to dunk the pick in it after it started to glow a little red.

ok, thanks for the info. im not gonna use this for criminal activities. i just wanna learn it because its a good skill to have. not too many know it.

Diamonds are tougher than hooks if you try to free hand them. Does your grinder have a tool rest? If so you can use the tool rest to angle the pick in to get the proper angle for the diamond. Once you are done you can go back and round the sharp corner with a file. Using the tool rest also cuts back on the peice vibrating.


Edit, you elt the pick turn red, fuck you ruined the temper.

[7i8_Dago]

Diamonds are tougher than hooks if you try to free hand them. Does your grinder have a tool rest? If so you can use the tool rest to angle the pick in to get the proper angle for the diamond. Once you are done you can go back and round the sharp corner with a file. Using the tool rest also cuts back on the peice vibrating.

nah, no tool rest. but im going to look it up during this week.

[Virus]

nah, no tool rest. but im going to look it up during this week.

Hey I re-read that you let the material turn red. This means you ruined the temper that was already on it. You are going to have to go back and re-temper it if you want to keep the picks, but you might just want to re-make them.

[7i8_Dago]

Hey I re-read that you let the material turn red. This means you ruined the temper that was already on it. You are going to have to go back and re-temper it if you want to keep the picks, but you might just want to re-make them.

mm-kay :(

ahh, im still a amatuer when it comes to this sorta stuff

http://www.mediabistro.com/agencyspy/original/nbc_the_more_you_know.jpg

you is soppose to be i

[LiquidIce]

Damn, I made two good picks from these (http://www.jawis.pl/UserFiles/Image/3840Sl.jpg) with just a big file, two small files for details and a vice to hole it in place.

[Mantikore]

Damn, I made two good picks from these (http://www.jawis.pl/UserFiles/Image/3840Sl.jpg) with just a big file, two small files for details and a vice to hole it in place.

wow how long did that take?

saw blades are notoriously hard.

[LiquidIce]

wow how long did that take?

saw blades are notoriously hard.

They're hard, the picks are very rigid. And it didn't take so much time, maybe an hour or two. I remember I had to work on their thickness because those blades are just damn thick.

[7i8_Dago]

http://s435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/7i8bk/?action=view&current=P3130064.jpg

sorry for the bad quality.

the top is the hook pick. sexy beast, aint it?

the bottom is the diamond.....looks some sorta mutant fromthe hills have eyes :(

http://s435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/7i8bk/?action=view&current=P3130064.jpg

EDIT: photobucket is starting to suck now.

[LiquidIce]

http://s435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/7i8bk/?action=view&current=P3130064.jpg

sorry for the bad quality.

the top is the hook pick. sexy beast, aint it?

the bottom is the diamond.....looks some sorta mutant fromthe hills have eyes :(

http://s435.photobucket.com/albums/qq80/7i8bk/?action=view&current=P3130064.jpg

EDIT: photobucket is starting to suck now.
Uh, they look about the right shape, it's hard too tell 'cause of the pic quality. Get a simple cheap doorlock or padlock (the first one is better) - find the LSI lockpicking guide, they have the basics of lockpicking and how to take apart a lock.

[Generic Box Of Cookies]

Common sources for pick stock are windshield wiper blade inserts, street sweeper bristles, and occasionally hacksaw blades. A dipstick might work..hmm

I like to use a file and a dremel to make my picks. Then sand and polish them once they're shaped. mmmm..It makes a difference when they're smooth.

My two favorite picks are the Bogota Rake and the Short Hook. And a variety of tension wrenches. My choice of wrench seems to be more important than the pick itself most of the time. :thumbsup:

[Mantikore]

i have trouble making rakes in general. they always seem to snap

[k8e]

i just use Picklock [450]

[SHARP]

My choice of wrench seems to be more important than the pick itself most of the time. :thumbsup:

More or less the same thing here, I know I wouldn't be satisfied with a whole lot of picks, and only a few tension wrenches...

[Death Snuggle]

Common sources for pick stock are windshield wiper blade inserts, street sweeper bristles, and occasionally hacksaw blades. A dipstick might work..hmm

I like to use a file and a dremel to make my picks. Then sand and polish them once they're shaped. mmmm..It makes a difference when they're smooth.

My two favorite picks are the Bogota Rake and the Short Hook. And a variety of tension wrenches. My choice of wrench seems to be more important than the pick itself most of the time. :thumbsup:

I've yet to get my hands on some band saw blades but the set I crafted out of wind shield wiper blades are better than I expected them to turn out. As for the tension wrench part, I definitely agree. I've been having better luck using the mini screw driver from a glasses repair kit as a tension wrench over the one I bent out of the wind shield wiper blade. Watch out for the street sweeper bristles because they are easy to break once they start to rust. I've had my best luck just using a feeler pick(straight back with a little less than 45 degree angle bent up on the end).

[Sentinel owl]

Hook picks and angle picks are great. They are simple, and you are allowed to focus on one pin at a time.

_____________/

I've never found temper to be essential. I haven't used mine heavily, though. My favorite cheap stock is tines from a metal rake. Just clip a few off and you can make 6 or 7 picks.

[Giggles The Panda]

I use a paperclip for my tension wrench, and a bent paperclip for the pick. Using those professional-quality tools, Ive opened Masterlocks before.

[Death Snuggle]

I use a paperclip for my tension wrench, and a bent paperclip for the pick. Using those professional-quality tools, Ive opened Masterlocks before.

Anyone with half a brain can do that, no offense or anything, but all you have to do is jiggle the pick and it'll open. Try some door locks with the paper clips and you'll find out it can be a royal pain in the ass because they want to bend. It's not impossible by far, but it is a pain.

[Mantikore]

Anyone with half a brain can do that, no offense or anything, but all you have to do is jiggle the pick and it'll open. Try some door locks with the paper clips and you'll find out it can be a royal pain in the ass because they want to bend. It's not impossible by far, but it is a pain.

yeah, youd be suprised at how many locks only have one pin in them

[Generic Box Of Cookies]

I use a paperclip for my tension wrench, and a bent paperclip for the pick. Using those professional-quality tools, Ive opened Masterlocks before.

Eh, that kind of system will work for a simple wafer bar lock like is on a cashbox or simple padlock, but unreliable for most other things. A Masterlock can be easy if it's in new condition, but the ones that have been exposed to the elements for months/years can be a bitch to try to pick.

[Virus]

yeah, youd be suprised at how many locks only have one pin in them

Surprise me. I've been picking for years, and have'nt found one lock with only one pin. I've found waffer locks that were stupid easy to pick.

Got any brands for me, I'll cut them open to see, because if they are advertising them as having more than one pin, they are in a world of hurt.

[Virus]

Anyone with half a brain can do that, no offense or anything, but all you have to do is jiggle the pick and it'll open.

No, it's not that simple. There are things called security pins with different shapes (mushroom, serrated, pillar, etc.). For anyone new to picking I recommend starting with a master lock number 3 because it has high tolerances.

[reggie_love]

I have a set and some calipers. If anybody wants me to post pics/measurements I can oblige.

[Death Snuggle]

No, it's not that simple. There are things called security pins with different shapes (mushroom, serrated, pillar, etc.). For anyone new to picking I recommend starting with a master lock number 3 because it has high tolerances.

It depends on which one you try and pick. He didn't specify and I was under the assumption it was a No.1 because of them being the most commonly used for their price. I don't pick too many padlocks anymore for the simple fact if it is an act of questionable legality, it's just more efficient to cut them off.

[TheGreenDoctor]

Ok, just a couple things:
First, a basic pick set can be had for relatively cheap, so if you are serious about learning to pick locks I would get one. Start with cheap padlocks (as previously mentioned in this thread) and cam locks (most desks, cabinets etc) once you can pick those easily, work your way up to door locks.

If you want a challenge, ask around at yard sales if they have any old locks with no keys. Later on when you get better you can cut keys for them by feel using the candle method.

Second, the information regarding making your own picks is accurate but I see a few other things that are a little off/not answered fully.

A tumbler usually refers to a type of lock
Actually, Its the same thing as a pin.

Surprise me. I've been picking for years, and have'nt found one lock with only one pin. I've found waffer locks that were stupid easy to pick.

Got any brands for me, I'll cut them open to see, because if they are advertising them as having more than one pin, they are in a world of hurt.
I've seen cheap cash boxes, cash registers, small padlocks, and cabinets with only one pin/wafer in them, and a couple of them had room for more.

for most other things. A Masterlock can be easy if it's in new condition, but the ones that have been exposed to the elements for months/years can be a bitch to try to pick.
A little bit of graphite and or light oil should fix that.

No, it's not that simple. There are things called security pins with different shapes (mushroom, serrated, pillar, etc.)
Only the higher end locks have those. The average lock that most people will have will not have those, although it is helpful to understand how they work and to learn the techniques for opening them.

[Virus]

I've seen cheap cash boxes, cash registers, small padlocks, and cabinets with only one pin/wafer in them, and a couple of them had room for more.

Looking for a brand, I'm not going to blow money unless you have a specific brand, and I've gutted quite a few practice locks and converted others so they could be re-pinned. I've never found one missing pins or with only one.


Only the higher end locks have those. The average lock that most people will have will not have those, although it is helpful to understand how they work and to learn the techniques for opening them.

A master lock number 140 is a very common and cheap padlock. It has four security pins:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDFHqhhZgUI

http://www.masterlock.com/cgi-bin/product_detail.pl?sub_cat_id=D140

A little over six dollars is "high end" and not average?

Not to mention the majority of Kwickset deadbolts have 3 spool pins in them. They cost less than 30 dollars per lock for the mid range.

[TheGreenDoctor]

Looking for a brand, I'm not going to blow money unless you have a specific brand, and I've gutted quite a few practice locks and converted others so they could be re-pinned. I've never found one missing pins or with only one.

I have no brand names. To clarify, I didn't buy them new, I was either given them, or got them at a yard sale.. I still have a couple of them laying around. One of them is a 2 pin cam lock with only one pin from a cash register drawer and the other I believe is a 4 pin cam lock from a coin bank. the plug and core in the coin bank are made out of plastic and when I disassembled it I found only had one pin. Another one of them was from a cabinet (room for four pins but only had one) and it too had a plastic plug and core. I got rid of it Because it wouldn't've held up to anything. I'm not sure what happened to the padlock (probably around here somewhere) but it was about the size of those small crummy luggage locks and looked pretty old.

A master lock number 140 is a very common and cheap padlock. It has four security pins:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDFHqhhZgUI

http://www.masterlock.com/cgi-bin/product_detail.pl?sub_cat_id=D140

A little over six dollars is "high end" and not average?

Not to mention the majority of Kwickset deadbolts have 3 spool pins in them. They cost less than 30 dollars per lock for the mid range.
I said HighER end locks have the security pins in them. I wasn't talking about top quality locks. Around here, most people buy the $2-$3 locks. Either way, the 140 is pretty easy to pick. As for Kwikset locks, the last set of those I saw were replaced when we moved into the house I live in now. Most people buy those cheap "Defiant" locks that practically pick themselves or have some older lock Which the name escapes me right now in my drunken state. I admit I haven't been through my lock books for a while, and the stuff I have it pretty old. Pretty much all I'm going by is experience with what I came across doing jobs/favors for locked out neighbors and friends.