Destructive vs non-destructive

[TLIII]

I have the Southord basic pic set that came with the easy pickins book. Now I'd like to buy either an electric pic or a snap gun. Is either considered destructive, because I have no intention of breaking anything. It certainly doesn't help anyone out if you can let them into their cabinet/car/office, but you have ruined the lock in the process.

[Solomon]

They're not designed to ruin the lock, so no. There's more chance of making a mess than with manual picks, especially if you haven't got a clue what you're doing, but a tool isn't considered destructive unless that's the intended purpose behind it.

No offense, but why do you even need to ask this? Seems like common sense to me.

[MacGyver101]

It certainly doesn't help anyone out if you can let them into their cabinet/car/office, but you have ruined the lock in the process.

Oh, careful, there. Pick guns are normally meant for use on pin tumbler locks -- and, in most places, cabinet locks and car locks tend to be wafer locks. You would most likely damage a cheap wafer lock on someone's filing cabinet if you started going at it with a snap gun.

[TLIII]

My common sense tells me that neither would be destructive or damaging to the lock, but many of you have WAAY more experience than me. I'd rather ask the seemingly stupid question rather than attempt to help someone open a lock and unintentionally damage it (possibly costing me).

[TLIII]

..and thanks MacGuyver,

While I've messed with both pin and wafer, I'd really hate to ruin the locks on my old Porsche because I was practicing (It's wafer). I'll practice on the truck (it's pin).

[criminalhate]

While I've messed with both pin and wafer, I'd really hate to ruin the locks on my old Porsche because I was practicing (It's wafer). I'll practice on the truck (it's pin).

It's frowned upon using a lock in use to practice on. It is WAY cheaper to buy locks then ruin one you rely on and need to hire a locksmith to come fix it. Ebay or your local junk yard is a great place to get auto locks for cheap.

[vov35]

As I recall the recommendation for impressioning autos is to use the trunk or passenger door to prevent damaging anything crucial, and because they're generally less worn. I guess same goes if you're going to be practicing on your car? also you're going to look hella suspicious...

[TLIII]

Glove box is keyed. That is what I use. Don't really care about looking suspicious, I own the car. As an interesting note, when I bought my car years ago, I locked my keys in it while on a road trip. My friends and I (early 20's) used a coat-hanger to open the car, in plain sight, middle of the day. Nobody said a thing.

I do have a couple practice locks (padlocks) that I play with.

[Solomon]

Glove box is keyed. That is what I use. Don't really care about looking suspicious, I own the car. As an interesting note, when I bought my car years ago, I locked my keys in it while on a road trip. My friends and I (early 20's) used a coat-hanger to open the car, in plain sight, middle of the day. Nobody said a thing.

Most people like to avoid confrontation... whether you own the car or not it's not going to be a nice conversation either way, so people tend to mind their own business. Sadly, most people won't call the police either... they just assume someone else will have already done it, or they figure there's no way anyone would break into a car in broad daylight like that so it *must* be yours. It's an interesting phenomenon. Best thing you can do is park where there are cameras or security personnel whenever possible. Not that cameras do much, but they might catch something useful anyway.

[vov35]

Don't really care about looking suspicious

I know most people will ignore you, like the time we had to break into my friend's house because he lost the keys, parents on vacation.... shimming open a garage window and then climbing in through it in the middle of a rich neighborhood.... nobody asked any questions.

but.... I've been harassed by police for taking a walk at three AM (insomnia...) because somebody reported "suspicious individuals"...

You don't have to be doing anything illegal for it to be a pain in the ass. Patted down, pocket knife and zippo confiscated (and not returned), having to sit around in cuffs while they sort out the issue... that poppy _ alone should be reason enough to get a practice lock that you could work on indoors.