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Lock picking is the art of unlocking a lock by analysing and manipulating the components of the lock device, without the original key. Overview Although lock picking is often associated with criminal intent, it is an essential skill for a locksmith. Lock picking is the ideal way of opening a lock without the correct key, while not damaging the lock, allowing it to be rekeyed for later use, which is especially important with antique locks that would be impossible to replace if destructive entry methods are used. Usually it is possible to bypass a lock without picking it. Most common locks can be quickly and easily opened using a drill, bolt cutters, or a hydraulic jack. The hasp, door, or fixture they are attached to can be cut or broken. A lock that offers high resistance to picking does not necessarily make unauthorized access more difficult, but it will make surreptitious unauthorized access more difficult. They are often used in combination with alarms to provide layered security. Some people enjoy picking locks recreationally, because they find it brings high satisfaction and hack value. Techniques to pick different types of locks
Pin tumbler locks Picking - manual Two elements are needed to pick this type of lock. Torque (or tension) and a pick to lift or rake/scrub the bottom pins. There are also snap guns which easily accomplish the following feat. Essentially, you insert your tension wrench into the cylinder to apply a light amount of torque on the cylinder. You then take your pick and feel around until you find what pins you can lift. The reason you are able to lift the pin is because it is impossible to perfectly machine the vertical holes exactly in a line. If this was possible, lock picking would be impossible. After you lift the pin, the tension you are placing on the cylinder will force the pin to lock in place. This process is repeated until all pins are set, then the cylinder turns and the lock is successfully manipulated. Picking - automated Operating on the same principle as that of a cueball suddenly hitting the 8-ball and coming to a stop, while sending the 8-ball flying, the snap gun strikes all of the bottom pins at once, and thus sending the driver pins up into the lock. This only lasts for a fraction of a second because the springs will force the pins back down into the lock. The tension wrench is also required in this situation. Bumping Another method for defeating this type of lock is known as bumping. In this method, a key blank that fits the target lock is specially cut, with the shoulder of the key filed down to allow the key to be inserted slightly farther into the lock than normal. The key is cut from a standard blank for the intended keyway, with each cut made for the greatest depth pin. Between each cut an angled tooth is left behind. The key is inserted into the target lock to normal depth, and by striking the head of the key while applying slight torsion, the lock can be opened in seconds.*. As the key is struck, each tooth "bumps" the pin it connects with upwards towards its shear line. This method emulates the snap gun approach with decidedly simpler tools — the special key and a device (e.g., mallet, screwdriver handle) to deliver the blow. When used with criminal intent, bumping often does not allow the victim to make a successful insurance claim because it leaves no sign of forced entry. Bump keys, like electric pick guns and snap picks exploit Newton's Law to open the lock quickly and effectively. Lever locks Lever locks can be picked by putting a force on the bolt in the direction that withdraws it, then moving the levers up (and down again if necessary), generally one-by-one until the stump on the bolt passes through the holes in the levers. Many lever locks use anti-picking notches on the stump and levers. These are the equivalent of security pins in a pin tumbler lock, and cause the picker to incorrectly believe that a lever is at the correct height. Chubb's detector lock, which is no longer in general manufacture, could mechanically detect a lever being lifted too high, and would then refuse to open until the mechanism was released by using the correct key (sometimes called a regulator key) in the lock. This method is very difficult and should not be attempted unless you can master simpler methods. Tubular pin tumbler locks A tubular pin tumbler lock has the pins arranged in a circular pattern (parallel to the keyhole), and uses a tube shaped key. Tubular locks are commonly seen on vending machines, computers and some bike locks. A tubular lock pick is used to keep the pins from moving once they have been picked until all have been picked. These locks can be picked using a pin and a torsion tool, but using this method is far slower than using a tubular lock pick, and for many locks the process has to be repeated several times as the cylinder is rotated to open the lock. It is possible to open many tubular pin tumbler locks by inserting a ring of soft material, cardboard, or even the tube from a ballpoint pen into them, and wiggling it while applying a constant gentle rotative force. The soft material deforms, allowing each pin to work its way into the picking tool until the pin is in the correct position, whereupon the pin no longer deforms the cardboard, or plastic etc. When all pins are correctly set, the lock opens. This is a form of impressioning. Wafer tumbler locks To open a wafer tumbler lock, one can use a double-sided pick to keep the discs from moving once they have been picked until all have been picked. Although double-sided picks may work well with wafer locks, many times using a hook pick rightside up, then upside down works equally well. Combination locks Various methods can be used to open combination locks, none of which are technically picking. These methods are instead called bypassing. Cheap combination padlocks can be opened using a thin metal piece slid between the body and shackle; the padlock shim technique can also work with non-combination padlocks. Other combination locks require the opener to find the combination to the lock. The exact techniques differ and some manufacturers, such as Master Lock, make this process very time-consuming on their latest models. All combination locks carry the inherent flaw that a finite number of random attempts will eventually open the lock. This process can be dramatically shortened by using techniques that the lock-maker has built into the lock, such as patterns in the combinations often using factorial and modulus. See hacking a Master Lock. Warded locks With a warded pick, warded locks are probably one of the easiest locks to pick. Warded picks have basic shapes that fit many types of warded locks. They are inserted into the keyhole and slowly turned until the lock opens. Concept Contrary to what one might think upon hearing the term, key impressioning does not have anything to do with silly putty, molds, or plaster of paris. Instead, you start with a key blank and use the following method to arrive at a functioning key for a lock. Method Tools required: Proper key blank that will fit the lock Vise-grip pliers Rat tail and pippin files (Swiss cut Skilled eyes Clipping the vice grips on the key blank, you take your file and polish the top of the key (the part of the key that the pins come into contact with. (Before starting the impressioning, it is generally good to count the number of pins in the lock with a hook pick, thus helping choose the correct sized blank.) You put the key into the keyhole using the vicegrips, and gently turn it thus binding the key, then you jiggle the key up and down. You pull the key blank out and look at it. Initially you are looking for the perpendicular scrapes that the pins of the lock will have left on the key. File a few thousandths of brass of the key with your pippen or rat tail file (usually 4 total swipes of the file). You repeat this process. Be very careful to only file if you see a little dimple in the key grooves that you are starting to file on the key. When you have filed enough material from the blank, you will have approximated the cut of the appropriate key and the lock should open when the key is turned. This method is exceptionally good because high-security drivers (if they are grooved or mushroomed) are made irrelevant. This method works fantastically well on car doors and other wafer locks. To impression wafer locks, you should sharpen both sides of the key (only if the key is two sided) then the wafers will slice a nice little groove into your key. This process could take 15 - 75 minutes based on 1) the skill of the locksmith and 2) the difficulty of the lock. Please note, this method is more time consuming and difficult on locks with sidebars (ie Medeco, mul-t-lock, GM cars) Type of tool The following is a list of tools that would be found in a commercial set. Depending on the size of the set it may contain sizes and/or desings to better fit different locks. Most all of them are made of thin steel or other hard metals. Tool sets The tools for lock picking are usually different for each type of lock and can sometimes be improvised from common items. Lock pick kits can be purchased openly via the internet. Many different selections are present. 9-piece sets and a 32-piece set equipped with a Pick Gun for example differ in value and price greatly. However, many lockpickers state that for most locking devices, a basic set of 5 picks should be enough, therefore it is unnecessary even to carry around a wide variety of professional lockpicks. Tension wrench The tension wrench is used to apply tension to pins to keep pins from being pushed back down by springs after they are correctly set. Usually anywhere from 1/8th inch to 1/16th inch wide, bent into a L with a quarter twist on the long side to allow tension to be put on it, in the direction the lock is desired to be turned. Hook pick The hook pick is self explanatory, it is similar to the half diamond pick, but has a hook shaped tip rather than a half diamond shape. United States In United States, laws concerning possession of lockpicks vary from state to state. Generally, possession and use of lockpicks is considered equivalent to the possession of a crowbar or other tool that may or may not be used in a burglary. Illegal possession of lockpicks is generally prosecuted as a felony under the category of possession of burglary tools or similar statutes. In many states, simple possession is completely legal as their statutes require proof of intent. In some states, however, possesion without appropriate licensure is considered prima facie evidence of intent to commit a crime, rendering simple posession a crime.•. California In California, locksmiths must be licensed by the state•. However, simple possession is completely legal, as illegal possession must be coupled with felonious or malicious intent•. Colombia In Colombia, it is strictly forbidden to possess lock-picking kits, which is considered a felony. Netherlands In the Netherlands, owning lock picks is legal, but using them on someone else's locks without permission is not. There is even a lock picking championship, the Dutch Open, which was reported on in the newspapers. United Kingdom In the United Kingdom, a person who carries a lock pick set (even a home made one) can be charged with the offence of "going equipped", unless they have a good reason for carrying them.• The penalty for this can be upward of 5 years' imprisonment. New Zealand In New Zealand, possession of lock picking tools "without lawful authority or excuse" falls under the crime of "being … in possession of instrument for burglary", which carries a maximum penalty of three years' prison, if accompanied by the intent to use it for burglary.• European Union Most countries of the European Union don't regulate the possession of lockpicks. All responsibility concerning criminal or legal acts using the picks is taken by the owner of the lockpicks. Trivia See also Guide Concept Forum Organization Locksmith Tools | |||||||||
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