How to open any lock using improvised means? How a master key works. Cylinder locks

Before studying the process of opening locks with a paper clip without a key, it is important to know that not every locking mechanism can be opened in such a simple way and a master key from a paper clip will not help. To unlock some of them, you need a special specific tool that differs from ordinary stationery.

There are several main types of locks:

Work materials

To make a homemade master key, you need three things that are not at all in short supply and are always available:

Tool making

To open the door without a key from two paper clips with pliers, you need to make a master key and a tensioner.

Opening locks with a paperclip

Depending on the type of lock, there are enough ways to open the door with a paper clip.

Method 1. It can be used to open pin door locks with a cylindrical mechanism, as well as a simple padlock.

The tensioner must be inserted into the lock hole and circular pressure should be applied in the direction of rotation of its mechanism. First you need to try to move the paperclip to the right. Usually in locks, the key turns clockwise, although there are exceptions. Sensitive hands themselves will be able to choose the right direction of rotation. At right action at the moment of turning the mechanism, the paper clip encounters less resistance than when choosing the wrong direction.
In the process of work, the presence of a constant small tension of the mechanism is important. After determining the direction of rotation, the pressure on the paper clip must be fixed, and with a paper clip, try to feel the pins in the cylinder. Most locks have five pins, which in a certain combination open the lock. They need to be pressed in order, starting from the rear edge of the lock well.
When slowly winding the tensioner, each of the pins must be fixed. When setting the pin in the correct position, you can catch a slight movement or hear a click. You need to work with a clip-master key until you get the feeling that all the lock pins are in place. Then the tensioner should be turned in the selected direction, and the lock will immediately open.

Method 2. It is usually used when the lock is located inside the interior door handle.

At the same time, the working tool is slightly modified: the paper clip must be unbent, and its end bent in the form of the letter “G”.
The prepared master key must be inserted into the lock hole and strongly pressed against the pressure plate of the mechanism, while turning the handle. This will open the lock.

Method 3. They can open interior door when jamming the "tongue" of the castle.

The paperclip should be fully extended and bent into a semicircle. Then the tool must be inserted into the space between the end of the door and its box with the grip of the "tongue" so that both ends of the paper clip are in the hands.
Pressing the door, they need to be pulled towards you until the “tongue” snaps into place. As a result of these efforts, the door will open.

Method 4. In this way, constipation, made in the form of a latch, opens.

The straightened end of the paper clip must be passed between the door leaves so that it is located under the latch.
Then the paper clip must be lifted up until the latch is removed and the door opens.

On such constipation, the door is considered the most unreliable and accessible for intruders to enter the housing.

Method 5. In this way, you can easily open the locks for suitcases with a paper clip.

The end of the paper clip must be bent into a small loop, as closely as possible following the contour of the lock key from the suitcase.
Then the end of the paper clip must be inserted into the well and turning it, feel for the clamp of the mechanism.
After the spring is released, the lock will open.

We told you how to make a master key from a paper clip and open simple locks with it. We hope that you use our advice in good intentions. It is also important to know that most locks will not be able to guarantee the complete security of your home and property. They are only a kind of deterrent that requires additional measures to protect housing.

In every city there are emergency lock picking services ready to help anyone with a slammed door, lost or broken key. You can find such masters by entering in the search engine "open the door the name of the city."

As a rule, the specialists of these companies react quickly and cope with any locks. If necessary, you can immediately repair or change the lock, as well as make a duplicate key. The services of the masters will cost a pretty penny, but you will save your nerves.

If the lock is not very difficult and you are confident in your abilities, you can try to open it yourself. There are options both with damage to the mechanism, and without. If one doesn't work, you can always try another.

How to get the key if it is broken in the lock

This usually happens with worn cylinder locks. The well is narrow there, and the key is flat, so if you overdo it in the fight against a jammed mechanism, it will only get worse.

First of all, you should try to open the door with the rest of the key. To do this, you need to drown it all the way into the slot, and then insert a nail file or other thin object and try to turn it, opening the lock.

If the key is broken so that part of it sticks out of the well, you're in luck. The chip is quite easy to get with pliers or a similar tool. Borrow it from your neighbors and carefully pull the rest of the key, taking good care of the part sticking out.

You can also try to turn the key and open the lock.

Didn't work? Well, then you have to get a jigsaw file. It must be inserted into the keyhole on the side of the key, pointing the teeth towards itself.

When the nail file enters the slot until it stops, turn it 90 degrees to pick up the key, and try to get it out.

Another option is to remove the remains of the key by gluing the broken part to it. Gently apply to the kink and connect both parts.

Wait a little while the glue dries, and try to slowly get the key out of the well.

How to open a padlock without a key

This is the most common and primitive lock, consisting of a body with a shackle and a larva with a pin mechanism inside. You can open it without a key without much difficulty.

Method 1. Master key from tin

Cut out the letter "T" with large shoulders from any tin can.
Insert the pick into the slot between the lock body and the shackle.
Fold the long ends of the pick together and twist them to release the locking tab.
Pull the shackle towards you and open the lock.

Method 2. A master key from paper clips

Take two paper clips and bend them as shown in the video.
Insert the first paperclip into the hole of the lock and turn it a little to create tension.
With the second paper clip, try to press the pins inside.
Operate both paper clips at the same time until the lock opens.

Method 3. Wrenches

take two spanners more.
Insert them inside the bow and rest against each other.
Press down on the keys until the shackle or lock body breaks.

How to open a cylinder lock without a key

Such locks are locked using pins assembled in a single block - the larva. It has a rotating core with a series of spring-loaded rods cut into two pieces.

When there is no key in the well or it is incorrect, the pins enter the core and block it. A key with the correct profile raises the pins to such a height that the top one hides in the body of the larva, and the bottom one - in the core, allowing it to rotate freely and open the lock.

It turns out that you need to drown all the pins to free the core of the larva, and then turn it. For mechanisms with several revolutions, the procedure will have to be repeated.

Method 1. A master key from hairpins

Bend an L-shaped lever from a hairpin or wire, and make a master key with a bent tip from another hairpin.
Insert the lever into the hole and try to turn with minimal effort.
At the same time, use a master key to sort through the pins, alternately pressing them.
When the pins find their place, the core will turn.
Repeat the previous steps on each turn until the lock opens.

Method 2. Master key from a plastic card

Bend, rounding it a little, and insert it into the gap between the door and the door frame.
Moving an impromptu pick in the castle area, try to push it deeper.
As soon as the tongue of the mechanism moves, the door will open.

Method 3. Drilling pins

Mark with a punch a place for drilling just below the core of the larva.
Drill the body of the larva, destroying the rotation-blocking pins.
Lightly tap the grub with a hammer or other object.
Turn the core with a screwdriver or other key to open the door.

How to open a lever lock without a key

The mechanism of such a lock is based on a set of levers - special plates with figured slots. In the correct key, the protrusions on the beard coincide with these slots. When the key is turned, the levers rise to desired height, forming a path along which the locking pin moves.

To open the lever lock, you need to lift all the plates, line them up in the right way and move the bolt. It sounds easy, but it's actually much more difficult. Especially for those who do it for the first time.

Method 1. Master key from the knitting needle

Bend a pick with a curved tip from a knitting needle or hard wire.
Insert any other similar key and turn it a little, creating tension.
Move the lockpick, trying to raise the levers, and at the same time try to turn the key.
When all the plates are raised, the lock will give.
Repeat the procedure for the next turns of the key until the door opens.

Method 2. Drilling the bolt shank

Find a diagram of your lock on the Internet and find out the exact location of the fastening of the deadbolt.
Mark the desired location and drill through the lock body with a drill with a diameter of 10–12 mm.
Insert a screwdriver into the hole or use a sawn-off key to move the bolt and open the door.

How to open an intercom without a key

The easiest way to get into the entrance is to call one of the apartments and ask to open the door. If this is not your option, do otherwise.

Try to use the service menu of the intercom, from which you can give the command to open the door. Access to this menu is carried out using a special combination. Individual for each intercom model, of course.

However, finding suitable teams on the Internet is not difficult. It is enough to drive “intercom codes” into the search, enter the necessary characters, and the door will open.

In everyday life, situations sometimes arise when a closed lock blocks the road and interferes with doing one's business. And if you don’t want to knock out the door, then one thing remains - to open the lock without a key. In this case, it is useful to know how to make a master key. In addition, it would be nice to have a set of simple master keys in reserve somewhere in a distant pocket.

Lock

Before you make master keys with your own hands, you need to understand what type of lock you need to open. The easiest way to work with cylindrical, they are the simplest and most understandable. The key to such a lock is flat with teeth on one side. If the key has the form of a long rod with protruding curly beards at the end, then this is a lever lock. Each of them uses its own technique and master keys.

Cylindrical locks

Many of those who are interested in how to make a master key have in mind exactly cylindrical, or English, locks - they are the most common and convenient. The master key consists of two main parts - a manipulator that will need to press the necessary teeth, and a rotary plate that will turn. They are made of thin (0.5-0.7 millimeters) and durable metal. It is best to use Soviet folding meters or a hacksaw blade. In emergency situations, if this is not found at hand, you can use any pieces of thin sheet metal. It is not difficult to make a rotary plate; for this, a strip of metal five millimeters wide is bent at a distance of 7-10 millimeters from the end at a right angle to create a lever. It is more difficult with a manipulator - its shape should be such that it can be used to press one or more cylinders of the locking system. In the simplest version, you can make it just a narrow strip with a slightly curved end or thickening on it. In the most extreme case, you can use a wire or a paper clip. If the master key is made with the hope of further use with different locks, then you can try to make a set of manipulators of various shapes with several teeth, which will allow you to open almost any lock.

Lever locks

The main difference between the lever and the fact that the larva can be turned from the outside, but not the lever. Therefore, master keys for lever locks should consist of one part, which will both move the code part and rotate the mechanism. Therefore, it must be strong, but at the same time thin to ensure mobility. You can use any strong pins on which it will be convenient to attach a handle for turning and a barb at the end for opening.

Right side

However, do not forget that for any illegal actions, one way or another, punishment will come. Before you make a master key, think about its application. Even if the tool is used to open your own home, unnecessary questions may arise. Be careful!

Anything can happen in our life. And it is better to play it safe, having in stock, if not a working tool, then at least the knowledge of how to make a master key.

Find yourself in front of the locked door of your apartment without your keys in the middle of the night? Or lost the key to the barn's padlock? Before spending money on a locksmith, try picking the lock yourself. The most common type of home and office locks is a pin cylinder lock, which can be opened relatively easily with the help of master keys (hook and tensioner), which can be made from improvised means.

Although this process is not difficult and becomes easier with experience, opening the lock requires a lot of patience. To open the lock, you need to insert a thick metal rod or needle into the keyhole and rotate it until you hear a click or turn of the mechanism. In this article, we'll show you how to do it.

Steps

Find out how your castle works. A pin cylinder lock consists of a cylinder that rotates in its body (see illustration below). When the lock is closed, the cylinder is held in place by a number of pins split in two. The top of the pin in each pair extends through the cylinder and through the body, preventing the cylinder from turning. When the correct key is inserted, the pins move up to the exact position where the top of the pins no longer interfere with the cylinder turning and the lock can be opened.

Pay attention to the five pins, consisting of two parts. The yellow pins go through the cylinder and the silver casing around it. Springs hold the pins in place.
When the correct key is inserted, the grooves and teeth on the key push the pins into the correct position, with the yellow pins fully out of the cylinder, allowing it to be turned and thereby open the lock.

Buy a set of picks (hook and tensioner). Each lockpick serves its own purpose. The tensioner is used to pressurize the cylinder when turning. Professional-grade lockpicks and tensioners can be purchased in a kit (see illustration), but many people who enjoy lockpicking as a hobby make quality lockpicks themselves. Refer to the "What You'll Need" section below for information on how to make your own lockpicks and tensioners.

Place the tensioner on the bottom of the keyhole.

Determine which direction the cylinder must rotate to open. If you often use the lock, you should know in which direction it rotates. If you do not know, then first try pulling the pick clockwise and then counterclockwise. At first, the cylinder will turn just a few millimeters until it stops. Try to feel how steadily the cylinder has stopped. If the cylinder is turned in the wrong direction, it will hit sharply and hard, if the cylinder is turned in the right direction, then you will feel free room for oscillation.
- Some locks, especially padlocks, open regardless of the direction in which the cylinder is turned.
Turn the tensioner slightly in the correct direction and hold. The torque voltage may vary between locks, or multiple attempts may be required when working with different pins. Start with a little pressure.

Insert the pick hook into the top of the keyhole and feel the pins. Having inserted the pick into the hole, you should be able to feel and press the individual pins with the tip of the hook. You should be able to push the pins up and feel the pressure of the springs as you push the pick down. Try to lift each pin all the way up. Determine which of the pins is the hardest to lift. If they all give in easily to pressure, then increase the tension of the lower master key (tensioner). If one of the pins does not move at all, loosen the tension until the pin starts to move. Alternatively, you can “comb” the pins before starting the above process (see Tips below).

Press down on the stubborn pin until it snaps into place. Push the stud pin with enough pressure to overcome the spring pressure. Remember that the pin consists of two parts. The pick presses on the lower part of the pin, which in turn presses on the upper part. Your task is to completely push the top half of the pin out of the cylinder. After you stop pressing on the pin, the lower part should return down to its original position, and the upper part, due to the tension with the second pick, and a slight smell between the holes in the body and cylinder, should fall into place and remain in the body. You should hear a slight click as the top pin hits the cylinder surface as it falls. You can also check the bottom pin - it should move up unhindered due to the lack of spring resistance - in this case you have most likely managed to get the top pin in the correct position.”

While continuing to hold the tensioner, repeat the last two steps with the rest of the pins. It is very important to hold the tensioner, otherwise the “put in place” upper pins will fall into the cylinder and everything will have to be started over. You will need to adjust the tension for each specific pin (increase/decrease the pressure).
Turn the cylinder with the tensioner to the end and open the lock. Once all the top pins are “in place”, you can turn the cylinder and open the lock. This is given that all this time you have been pulling the cylinder in the right direction. If it turns out that you worked in the wrong direction, you will have to return all the pins to their original position and start over.
- If you are very lazy, you can simply order a ready-made set of master keys on the Internet.
- Sometimes locks are installed upside down (especially in Europe). The pins in such locks are at the bottom, not at the top of the cylinder. The process of opening such locks is identical, with one difference: you will need to press on the pins from top to bottom and not from bottom to top. If the key is inserted into the lock with the teeth down, then the pins will be at the bottom of the cylinder. Once you insert the pick into the keyhole, you can easily tell if the pins are up or down.
- If you are dealing with simple lock, such as a cash drawer, then you most likely will not even need a lock pick-hook. Just insert something flat metal to the very end and, moving the “master key” up and down, turn. If you're lucky, the lock will open in a few seconds.
- Smoothly polished picks are easier to insert into the keyhole and maneuver them inside.
- The technique called “combing” or “combing” the lock is a simplified opening technique. To do this, insert the pick (preferably a pick-comb or a paper clip bent in several places) as far as it will go into the keyhole without tensioning the cylinder. Then, with a quick movement, pull out the pick by applying pressure towards the pins and at the same time lightly turning the cylinder. Theoretically, you can open the lock by “combing” the pins once or twice, but usually this method will put several pins in place, and you will have to manually put the rest.
- Lockpicking enthusiasts generally frown on the use of paperclips, pins, and hairpins in this endeavor. Basically, because with these improvised means it is more difficult to open the lock than with special master keys. Although this is so, with special diligence and patience, you can adapt to effectively open locks with them.
- Picking locks has become a popular hobby among puzzle lovers. If you want to try this hobby, it's best to practice with simple, cheap locks, or even locks with all but one of the pins removed. Look for old castles online or in antique shops.
- in different castles different amount pins. Padlocks usually have 3-4 pins, and door locks usually have 5 to 8 pins.
- You can't see inside the castle, so use your hearing and touch sense to understand what's going on inside. Be patient and methodical, listening for weak clicks and resistance you feel. With the help of the information obtained in this way, you can visualize, internal organization castle.
- Pins are usually put in place in order from first to last or vice versa; you will need to experiment to find the right direction in the castle. Although most locks open from last to first pin, sometimes you will need to try the reverse order.
Warnings
- If the lock is opened correctly, it will not be damaged, but if the cylinder is pulled too hard or the pins are pressed too hard, there is a risk of damage to the lock mechanism.
- If the pin does not budge when you press it with a pick, then you may be pulling too hard on the cylinder, causing the holes on it and the body to separate. Try loosening the cylinder. In this case, there is a risk that the pins put in place will fall into the cylinder. Unfortunately, there is no other way. Try the next time you try to change the order of the pins you are working with.
- There are many different laws about picking locks, about owning master keys, about using improvised tools. In Russia, master keys (devices that allow you to open a lock without physically destroying it) are regarded as technical means designed to secretly obtain information, the manufacture, purchase and sale of which is subject to licensing. Illicit trafficking (i.e. manufacture, purchase or sale without a license) of such products is a criminal offense punishable by up to 4 years in prison. Well, besides this, it’s not worth saying that open only your own locks!
What will you need
- Lockpick-tensioner (preload): many items can serve as your tensioner. They should be strong and not break when the cylinder is pulled, and be thin enough to fit slightly into the keyhole. The end of the tensioner should not be too thin and fall into the keyhole to the very end. It should also be small enough to leave enough room for the second pick to maneuver freely when both tools are inside. You can use a small hex wrench that tapers at the end or a flat head screwdriver.
- Hook Pick: You can use a pin or paperclip. To make a pick from a paperclip, straighten it and bend one of the ends 90 degrees. You can also bend one end into a small loop. Sharp-nosed pliers will make the process much easier. Choose objects made of strong metal for picks, otherwise they will bend under pressure on the pins. Picks made from a hacksaw blade work best. Invisibles for hair are also a good material for master keys. Cut off the rounded ends of the invisible and make a right angle out of it, and then bend one of the edges 90 degrees.

The master key is a specialized tool, used to open locks without using a key or breaking the lock.

The manufacturer of the first "professional" master key was the American inventor Alfred Hobbs, who received several patents for his master keys and founded Hobbs Hart & Co. in 1851. Ltd, which traded in lock picks.

Lockpicks can be used to break locks by criminals. According to R. S. Belkin's "Forensic Encyclopedia", master keys can be classified according to the types of locks they are intended for breaking (cylinder, lever, spring); The principle of operation of each type of master key is somewhat different. Wistity (a term from the thieves' jargon, derived from the English name for marmosets - a genus of small South American monkeys), which is a handicraft tool similar to tongs, and designed to capture the tip of the key left in the lock closed from the inside, can also be used as lockpicking. S. I. Potashnik in his work “Forensic Investigation of Locks” singles out wistiti as a separate type of device for opening locks, different from a master key.

At the same time, lock picks can also be used, for example, by locksmith workers in the event of a lock or key breakage or a key being lost. In addition, sometimes picking one's own locks with master keys can be a hobby or even a kind of sport, with the presence of "interest groups".

The attitude towards master keys and their use in different historical and modern states is different, but mostly negative. For example, in the Brazilian Empire, it was illegal to possess or sell any item that could be regarded as intended for hacking. In some states - for example, in Great Britain, and Japan - even the possession of master keys is actually prohibited.

How and from what to make master keys

What do we need for this

drill or machine tool, or better sharpened;
an abrasive circle (if only a drill) (Photo1);
a folding meter (Photo2) or a suitable plate with a thickness of 0.5-0.7 mm (the main thing is that it be made of good metal and not bend too much, for example, a knife, a hardened plate or a spring of suitable size) we will make the master key itself from it;
a small hexagon from it we will make a knob;
test subject (any suitable mask from the castle, but it’s better to have some Korean one, since it’s easier to start training);
teski (without them it will be very inconvenient);
patience and hands from the right place.

Let's start!

First we need to choose what kind of master key we want to make (there is a huge selection). We will do one of the three simplest and most common. We disassemble the meter for this, it is necessary to grind off the rivets on the sides, but do not throw them away, they will still be useful to us (see Photo3).

The next stage is the processing of the meter link, we process it according to the dimensions shown in Photo4. Processing is carried out using a stone nozzle (see Photo 1), the main thing is not to overheat the link of the meter. It’s not worth doing a working part that is too long, since it can break, and all we need is for the master key to reach the last soldier (see Photo 5).

After we have made the master keys, we need to polish them, this is done so that they do not cling to anything, so that no one speaks, and it is easier to work with polished master keys (opening locks with master keys is a very delicate science).

Now we fasten the finished master keys in three pieces with the same rivets, but you can not fasten them as you prefer (see Photo 6).

The next thing we will do is a pusher, we need it to give a turning force to the lock.

We take a hexagon 3 or a suitable bar of good metal and make a “poker” (see Photo 7).

You can also make a pusher from the key (see Photo 8), we simply remove the working part, leaving only the upper part of the key.

Consider other types of locks, master keys to them and methods of opening without master keys.

The first one we'll look at is Finnish castle so-called disk with semicircular keys.

It usually opens in two ways:

1. Rolled up it is made from nozzles (bits) from KRAFTOOL or similar well-known companies, but not from such as STAYER and similar consumer goods. You can make it from bars of a good alloy, it is checked by typing. It is best, of course, to make it from titanium, you can get it from turners and process it there. The roll looks like Photo 9 as a blank key with a hexagon at the end under the head. Processing bits with the same stone, see Photo 1, and most importantly, the temperature of the bits during processing should not exceed 80 degrees, as this will lead to metal tempering. After processing, the finished roll must be polished, this is done so that it does not break. Imagine if you make a scratch on the glass and hit it, then the glass will break in this place on the fold, the same thing if there is a scratch, then it will curl up in this place, Checked! Well, everyone understands how to use it. We insert the roll up to the stop into the lock, put on the head and turn it clockwise.
2. With a puller. Buy self-tapping screws. The self-tapping screw is screwed into the discs until it stops so that the bolt head protrudes from the lock by a centimeter; this is done in order to hook the puller. The puller looks like this, see Photo 10. In the same way, you can open the English lock (pin).

Consider padlocks

Well, it's all just opening padlocks makes no sense if it can be bypassed. We take an adjustable wrench with a length of 40 centimeters, the longer the easier it is to wield it. We clamp one of the darlings of the door and bend it.

Bambing This method was invented back in 1950, it was based on simple method. We all played billiards, if we hit ball 1, then we give it an impact impulse. Ball 1 hitting ball 2 stops and ball 2 starts moving. As we know, cylinder locks have two soldiers in each cell. If we hit the upper soldiers, they will remain in place and the lower ones will go down to the stop for a few nano seconds. If we start turning at this moment, the lock will open, it will not be difficult as it seems the first time. According to this method, spring pistols were invented that hit the soldiers. But more recently, they came up with an ingenious thing BUMP-key, see Photo11.

Now I will explain the meaning of the alteration. We need to open the lock, no matter how good the firm, we get the key from the same lock, we grind grooves to the maximum length of the secret, now we grind the spout and key stop, this is done so that the key after we insert it leaves a gap between the key and cylinder 0, 5-1.0mm. Now if we hit the end of the key, it will go 0.5-1.0 mm into the cylinder, causing the soldiers to go down. Transferring energy to the lower soldiers and at this moment we turn the key. This way you can open even Mul-T-Lock and absolutely any cylindrical locks with vertical and horizontal cutting of secrets.

Good luck in your endeavors and do not break the law!

Original article in English

In order to be able to open a lock it is important to have the right tools for the job.
This section will teach you what tools are required for the particular lock you are attempting to open.

The majority of warded locks come in the form of padlocks. The tools needed for such a lock can either be made or purchased at low cost. These being skeleton keys. This type of lock is the only type which skeleton keys are available for. At this point it should be noted what a skeleton key actually is in order to dispel any myths about them.
A skeleton key is simply a key which only consists of enough metal to open the lock. With the warded lock, with reference to the mechanisms section, it can be seen that part of the lock does not move, i.e. the actual ward. This is where a key which only has enough metal to operate the locking part, comes in. The diagram below illustrates the function and operation of the skeleton key.

As can be seen, part of the key has been filed away preventing the key from being stopped by the ward, thus allowing the remaining end section to come into contact with the locking mechanism and open the lock.

These skeleton keys can be bought quite cheaply, however, they can also be made with little difficulty. A skeleton key for a particular make of a warded lock which opens other locks in the same series can be made quite easily by removing part of the key which would be obstructed by the ward. The diagram below shows how a key to a lock can be made to open other locks of the same series and possibly warded locks of other manufacturers.

The following illustration depicts other skeleton keys which can be manufactured.

Pin Tumbler & Wafer

The tools required to open these two types of locks are similar and will therefore be looked at together.

Unfortunately, contrary to popular belief, there are no skeleton keys which open this type of lock as is depeicted in films, but is more down to skill and practice.

Hook Picks

These are for the use of "pure picking" as will be explained in the techniques section.

All that is needed here is to understand what they are and to appreciate that they come in a variety of sizes.

Rakes come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The diagram below shows some fo the major ones.

Turning Tools/Tension Wrench

A vital requirement in the picking of these types of locks.

Bypass Pick

This tool can be easily made by grinding a hacksaw blade to a tapered point similar to that shown below.

Lifter Pick

The size of this will be determined by the lever lock to be picked.

Turning Tool/Tension Wrench

This tool, although has the same name as that used for pin and wafer locks, is very different in construction. Both by way of shape and strength of metal used. The reason for this will be discussed in the techniques section.

Combination Brief Case

Combination Probe

This type of probe doesn't require the strength of the similar bypass pick used for pin tumbler locks but instead must be extremely thin.

This probe is for the sole purpose of opening brief case combination locks.

The probe which I constructed for this use was made from a feeler guage. In particular a number 12

Construction Picks

Although picks are relatively cheap to purchase it can often be quite difficult obtaining them and finding outlets which will sell them to you.

This need not be a serious problem as adequate picks can be constructed by oneself with a little hardwork and patience.

In order to make a pick it is a vital requirement that you have a grinder, as files will not shape the metal required to make a strong and long lasting pick.

This brings us to an important issue, i.e., what metal should be used and where can it be obtained? Well for a pick to be of any use it must fulfill two main criteria. It must be strong and it must also be thin, (to get past any fancy key hole which stands between you and the mechanism).

Such metal can easily be found in the form of hacksaw blades. These can be marked into the shape of picks by use of a permanent pen and can then be ground carefully to the shape required. This metal is extremely useful and can be used to construct the hook picks, rakes, bypass pick and lever lock lifter pick.

Feeler guage sets, as available from hardware or automobile shops, also provide metal which can be used. Although some of these are only useful for shims they can be used for picks or probes, (especially combination probe), depending on their strength and thickness.

The metal used for turning tools both for pintumbler/wafer and lever will vary. For a turning tool used to open a pin tumbler or wafer lock any springy metal which can be bent to the shape illustrated above, i.e, the straight forward simple turning tool type A, without the tool losing its shape will be sufficient.

The lever lock turning tool must be constructed from a much more rigid and stronger metal. It should be such that once in the required shape it will not bend as it must be able to exert a strong turning force.