You never know where and when you may need to pick a lock. You may just
need to get into your house or car, or you may be captured by insurgents in a
foreign nation. Whatever the case may be, this is the Beginners Guide To Lock
Picking. With practice and time, your skills will improve.
Even if you know nothing about lock picking, if you follow the steps outlined
here, you should be able to pick your first lock open less than an hour from
now. You'll also learn the best places to get the tools you'll need (and how to
make them if you don't want to buy them).
Lock Picking InstructionsStep 1: Purchase a practice lockNow you're ready to purchase a practice
lock. Odds are, you'll end up destroying this lock, so don't go for anything
fancy, or anything you'll want to keep. Walk into any department store and buy a
medium priced dead-bolt. A dead-bolt is the easiest lock to disassemble, so
don't stray away towards any other type. Also, the really cheap locks can be
hard to open even with the key, so trying to pick them is even worse. The brands
you want to look for are either generic names, or Kwikset. Stay away from
Schlage, it's more difficult to pick due to the shape of the ward. The lock you
purchase should be a five pin tumbler (you would have a hard time finding a
dead-bolt that isn't).
Step 2: Remove all but one pin from your lockAttempting to pick a five
pin tumbler is way too difficult for someone just starting out. So you'll want
to make your job easier by removing all but one pin from your lock. This will
give you a feel for what it's like to pick a lock so you'll know it when it
happens. Taking the pins out of a lock without destroying it isn't intuitive, so
I've put together a guide showing how to do it. You'll want to leave the first
pin (the pin closest to the front of the lock) in. This will allow you to see
what you're doing.
Step 3: Get a torque wrench and a pickYou probably don't own a lock
pick set, so you're going to have to make due with household items. Here is a
list of a few items which will serve you well as a torque wrench:
*
Allen Wrench. This is the best tool. If you have a grinder, pick one
which is a size or two too big to enter the key-way, then grind it's width down
just enough to enter the key-way. If you don't have a grinder, use a file, or
use a different item for a torque wrench. (Using one which fits exactly into the
key-way will only work for a while, eventually you'll wear out the key-way).
* Screwdriver. Use a very small one, but not so small that it
doesn't touch the wards. You'll want to make it as effortless as possible to
apply turning pressure.
* Paper Clip. Find a sturdy paper clip
and straighten it out. Then bend a loop just big enough to fit into the bottom
of the key-way. Then bend the remaining wire about 80-90 degrees to the loop.
Here are some tools which may be used as a pick (most of these tools will work
well for picking the first pin, but you'll need to upgrade after you've added a
pin or two):
* Allen Wrench. Pick the smallest one you can
find.
* Screw Driver. Again, pick the smallest one you can
find.
* Paper Clip. You'll need one strong enough to withstand
the force of the springs.
* Straight Pin. File the point off so
you don't stick yourself.
* Safety Pin. Again, file the point
off.
* Staple. You'll need one strong enough to withstand the
force of the springs. Straighten it out so it's flat, then turn it edgewise when
picking.
Step 4: Pick the lockAnd now the moment of truth; you're ready to pick
your first lock. Basically, just do what you learned back in step1 and step 2. I
find it easiest when the lock is turned upside down. Then place your finger on
the torque wrench, and let gravity do the work (you may need to press down just
a little bit). Then take your pick and lower the first pin down very slowly.
Once you hit the the sheer line, you'll know it. The plug will turn, and you'll
be amazed as to how easy it was and how little time it took. Return the plug
back to the locked position and repeat until you're comfortable.
Step 5: Add some more pins and try againNow that you know what it feels
like, add another pin back in (add pin two, just behind pin one). Now when you
get a pin picked, you won't know for sure, not until you try to pick the second
one. Practice, Practice, Practice. You'll want to become very proficient at
picking two pins before stepping up to three. If you try to advance too quickly,
you'll hinder your learning. So take your time. If you practice casually, it
will probably take you three to five days to work your way up to five pins.
Also, you'll need better tools to pick more than three pins, so order your pick
set and practice with two and three pins until your