I just started trying to pick locks recently as a hobby. It's pretty fun and challenging. Plus, it will allow me to accomplish better and more intricate pranks on my roommates. My current idea is to pick my roommate's lock and replace his pillow with books inside the pillowcase. I'm having some problems with this most recent lock however. It appears that I've cleared all the pins over the sheer line but the lock won't turn. It is quite frustrating I've probably sank far too much of my homework time into trying to get this lock done. I've only been practicing on my own lock which is identical to my roommate's. If anyone has some experience in picking locks, any insight would be beneficial to me. The lock is an interchangeable lock made by Best. Also, I only have a rake pick and paper clips... does anybody know where I can find some better equipment?
One thing I've always found appealing about picking locks is the moral or ethical ambiguity of it. Also, it especially appeals to my carnal desire to take part in a bank heist. And who doesn't want to participate on a bank heist?(rhetorical question although I would actually like to know.)
Poll: have you ever wanted to participate in a bank heist?
yes (24)
69%
no (11)
31%
35 total votes
Your vote: have you ever wanted to participate in a bank heist?
Earlier, I put a discrete add-on for firefox on my roommate's computer known as leechblock. Its general purpose is to enhance productivity of procrastinators by blocking websites like facebook or youtube. So for my roommate, I decided to block facebook on Wednesday afternoons only. If he should try to access facebook, he will be redirected to the website www.twogirlsonecup.ws. Last night he went to his parents' home with his laptop to do laundry. He texted about an hour after arriving stating "WTF WTF WTF why can't i go to faceebook. It keeps going to 2 girls one cup!!!!!!!!!" And then, "I've literally watched that video 4 times today WTF WTF WTF!!!!" Needless to say, I can't wait to see how long it takes until he either figures out what is going on or figures out that it's only happening every wednesday afternoon.
I would love to learn how to lockpick, to be on topic. I've had the thought cross my mind before but I've never taken any action to learn...is it terribly difficult? I mean obviously it's not as simple as shoving a paperclip into a lock and going lolololol until it's open, but how much time have you (estimated) put into it?
no on the bank heist though, if I'm in a bank heist I want it to be like the one from O Brother Where Art Thou?
On October 07 2011 10:10 Torenhire wrote: I would love to learn how to lockpick, to be on topic. I've had the thought cross my mind before but I've never taken any action to learn...is it terribly difficult? I mean obviously it's not as simple as shoving a paperclip into a lock and going lolololol until it's open, but how much time have you (estimated) put into it?
It's a surprisingly simple concept to pick a lock(assuming it's your normal pin-and-tumbler lock). It would probably take about 10-15 minutes to understand it. Knowing how a lock works is sufficient information to begin with. It's really just a trial-and-error/experience thing. I'd be like a silver level lockpicker, so I still have a ton to learn. The amount of time you put into it really depends on the type of lock that you're trying to pick like a file cabinet would be one of the easier ones since it would have fewer pins/wafers than one that is on a door. Regarding the type of lock that I am working on, I have probably spent around 4-5 hours trying to figure it out.
On October 07 2011 10:11 ReketSomething wrote: You sir, are evil. I am surprised he hasnt tried another browser...
Thanks! I try hard to maintain this menacing label. He isn't the brightest person in the world... and my lies have convinced him that it's a virus our neighbor put on the computer
I understand how lockpicking works, but I don't really know what tools to use. I'm curious, do you use any specific tools or if you just use safety pins or paperclips, etc?
Bump keys don't damage the lock, but there is a probability that the key will get stuck in the lock if you don't do it right. That leads to the probability of the key being traced back to you.
It is a pretty fun hobby but very time consuming. One time I brought a cheap set of picks to the statue of liberty (on accident) and was forced to toss them before getting to the security check point. =(
Some misinformation in this thread. I'm certain mizu has never picked a lock in his life and has only heard or read about it based on his post.
Most pin-tumblers honestly do not even require legitimate picking... raking will get the job done just fine. The key to opening most locks is the amount of tension you apply on your tension wrench (or what you are using in place of it... I highly suggest buying a tension wrench though. Your standard pick set you order online comes with them). It sounds like this is the case with your lock giving you trouble, tryclops. I am willing to bet that you actually don't have all the pins aligned with the sheer as you think; try varying tension the SLIGHTEST bit, and you will see better results with all locks you play with.
On bump keys... not at easy as movies or pop media makes it out to be. 1) They're noisy as FUCK 2) They actually do destroy the lock 3) They take just as much practice as lock picking to figure out the perfect amount of force to pound on the key and torque applied to the tension wrench. That, and you have to make a bump key for every different type of brand/lock that you come across. Good to know, but not practical... learn to pick.
If you are really interested, I suggest going to your local store and buying every pin-tumbler lock you see. Each brand of lock has their own personality, and guaranteed that if they're store-bought for less than $40, they're pickable by any amateur. Look up how to do other locks, too -you'd be at once disgusted and amazed how easy it is to bypass all locks you see every day, ranging from warded pad locks to combo locks.
You can order pick sets online with a simple Google search. I would also suggest Googling laws on carrying pick sets... you walk a very fine (and many times subjective) line having them on you in public. Don't be stupid with that shit.
Also, keep your fucking knowledge to yourself. When people know what you can do, you are automatically going to be the first suspect if somebody's shit goes missing that you know or work with/for, or if somebody has bad ideas and wants to enlist your capability.
Bobo has some good knowledge of lock-picking. I got interested in it for some time a few years ago, and got pretty good at picking cheaper locks. But I lost interest since it definitely takes a lot of patience to learn the tension and "feel" the lock out. Especially the more "complicated ones."
Anything that is actually meant to keep people out of is actually a bit of a challenge and lock makers address them in different ways. Like the tumblers with springs on them that you have to keep pushed up in order to open the lock. Or the ones where if you push the tumblers too far, they won't open either. Etc, etc.
So basically if you want to get really good you have to practice and research a lot, and on different types of locks.
Fun story, my RA just did a hall inspection earlier and didn't notice my rake pick or bent paperclips laying around XD
On October 07 2011 15:24 Bobo_XIII wrote: Most pin-tumblers honestly do not even require legitimate picking... raking will get the job done just fine. The key to opening most locks is the amount of tension you apply on your tension wrench (or what you are using in place of it... I highly suggest buying a tension wrench though. Your standard pick set you order online comes with them). It sounds like this is the case with your lock giving you trouble, tryclops. I am willing to bet that you actually don't have all the pins aligned with the sheer as you think; try varying tension the SLIGHTEST bit, and you will see better results with all locks you play with.
OHHH MY GOOOOOD I finally got it! it only took me somewhere between 30 and 40 attempts... Thanks for the advise! Unfortunately, I can't quite replicate the result... I'll just have to keep trying :\ I feel so close to getting recruited for a bank heist now.
Edit: I've gotten it twice now.
On October 07 2011 16:57 opsayo wrote: one of the first rules of lock picking is to not pick locks that u need to rely on
i hope its ok if ur roommate lock ends up breaking
Very good advise... however, I don't really have any other locks to play around with other than that one and my own. Maybe I'll by a bike lock or something.
On October 09 2011 12:55 Geovu wrote: Dude I'm a pro at lockpicking. My char can have 5 skill in security and I'll open a very hard lock without breaking a pick.
Lock picking in Oblivion=mad skillz,I have no idea why the ruined the whole thing with that Skeleton key shit.
On October 07 2011 10:02 tryclops wrote: I'm having some problems with this most recent lock however. It appears that I've cleared all the pins over the sheer line but the lock won't turn.
Sounds like security pins to me; my guess would be spool pins. In order to pick security pins, I like to use lighter tension on the plug. Serrated pins on the other hand... for those, you might want to try getting a false set first, then pick the lock from there as you normally would with light tension, and then picking the false set pin last.
If you want quality lock picks, go to www.lockpicktools.com. I've ordered from them before and have never had anything break. Good prices for tools that are just as good, if not better (I'd say better), than other online retailers, though I haven't shopped for lock picks in a long while.
On October 09 2011 17:38 tryclops wrote: thanks, I wasn't even aware that spool pins existed. I feel like such a noob right now :\ What exactly sure what you meant by a "false set".
What are the advantages to having a folding set rather than a normal set?
A false set is where a section of a security pin gets caught on the shear line of the lock, which doesn't allow the lock to turn or even the other pins to be picked normally. Or at least that's the theory behind them. A false set is indicated by the plug turning about 5 degrees, and then stopping.
There used to be a small, but prominent, group of lock pickers on Youtube. Unfortunately, most of them have stopped making videos due to Youtube giving them warnings to stop producing videos, or something along those lines.
Here's a quick video where a guy picks a lock full of security pins; he shows the false set and gives a brief explanation of how to work with it.:
Here are some examples of the security pins mentiond earlier. + Show Spoiler +
Spool pin - It resembles an empty spool (the kind that carries sewing thread). You can see how the midsection of the pin could easily get caught on the shear line and jam up the plug, causing you to release your tension on the lock and reset the pins.
Serrated pin - A bit more difficult than spool pins. Serrated pins can sometimes be almost entirely serrated.
They come in different combinations of serrated-spool pins as well, depending on the manufacturer.
Oh, and there's no real advantage to having a folding pick set, aside form convenience and portability (when folded, it's only 3 inches). The picks are the same. The nut that holds the set together can eventually become loose after being in your pocket over the course of several years. So if you carry it with you everywhere, you might want to make sure the nut is still tight after a year or two (Who's really gonna remember to do that? lol). If you want to get an normal pick set, rather than a jacknife pick set, that's good too. You can get an 8-piece set (6 picks and 2 tension wrenches) from the same site for $13.95.
Hope this helps with your hobby. It's fun to be meet a challenge and take it down.
EPT
Gonna start when classes get less intense![[image loading]](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/88/Lockpicking_Tools.jpg)
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