Damaging Locks

[Chucklz]

Why would you care about leaving trace, when your only picking your own hobby locks?

[Chrispy]

[grit1]

Using too much force and breaking a pick off inside of a lock ususally isn't good ... add that to the list of things that prevent operating keys from entering the keyway. This is why I don't let "interested" friends borrow my picks! ~Grit.

[Mad Mick]

Actually, picking pin-by-pin will also leave traces. The act of levering a pick against a ward, or the bottom of the keyway, causes the pick tip to move in a small arc. This movement creates small striations on the pins as they are raised, since the pick material is harder than the brass pins themselves. Polishing picks can help with the longevity of your practice locks.

Try this:
Get a brand new practice lock and pick it, pin-by-pin, once. Strip the key pins out, then examine them with a magnifying glass in good lighting...

Or:
Get an old lock which has not been picked, which has a good oxidized coating on the pins, pick it once, then strip out the key pins. Examine them with a naked eye...

You'll see.

[mike-z]

What is this nonsense, Mick? Thermite doesn't damage locks.

your nonsense thermite can damage locks

It was a joke.


If you don't know what you are doing, don't try dimple locks with more than 1 stack of pins. Sometimes if you turn the plug too far on a lock such as the Kaba Gemini, drivers will fall into the wrong stacks.

sorry i havent been here long so you know

[Eab]

Funny how this topic came up. My friend got picks 4 days ago after learning I had a pair. Last night were walking to his room and he tosses me the keys as he goes and gets his bags. I go over, insert the keys into his lock and try and turn it. Nothing. Its like I had the wrong key. I jiggle it, turn it the other way a milimeter and then finally manage to turn it the right way just as he shows up.
I ask "So, you got some lockpicks I'm guessing?" He responds "Yea, I practice on my front door... why can you tell?"
LOL