Damaging Locks

[hzatorsk]

What's the chances of damaging a lock for someone that's new at this?

Interestingly, we had someone recently that picked a Kwikset door lock and managed to get the lock into a state where he could not get the key into again.

Depending on the lock... there are a variety of possible malfunctions you may introduce into it by picking it. Most have remedies... but it can be pretty frustrating waiting around here for us to help you with it when your front door won't lock (or unlock).

A popular problem is to the pins fall into bottom of the keyway (at 180 degrees) or perhaps another void in the cylinder or plug and seize up. the plug won't turn, and the pins won't allow the key to be reinserted.

[mike-z]

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

your nonsense thermite can damage locks

[Chrispy]

The absence of an emoticon can be deceiving. I believe he was being sarcastic. Then again, we have seen the pictures.... haven't we?

[How]

If the plug metal is soft, as in some autos, you can push the metal over the tumbler chambers and causing the tumblers to stick, though it's unlikely that you'd use enough force to do it.
In autos, again, you can hook a spring, if your not careful, and pull it out of place so that the tumbler won't rise or fall the way it should.
On some locks there is a retainer in the back of the lock that you may push down, while picking, and the lock may come out a bit but not all the way, so the lock reacts differently than usual. If you have experience you'll know what's up, but it may fluster you if you don't know what's up. Not really causing damage unless you force it or something of that nature.
On schlage F line locks, new ones, you can pop the retainer cap off the bible if you you to much force raising the pins, like with a pick gun.

[n2oah]

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.

[sivlogkart]

I have been picking pin-cylinder locks for over 30 years and have not broken a lock to date. That has always been with hand tools (not powered) and using light force.

Common errors for beginners are to use too much force, and if it does not work to use more, when it is normally less that is needed, or to use a rake more like a file. The worst error though is to get the pick stuck and use a heavy pull to get it out, rather than tiny wiggles to ease it out.

KJ

[PickCop]

Standard law enforcement methods like battering ram, 12 ga. breaching rounds, and high explosives tend to have a bad effect on locks. Just in my experience.[/quote]

[vector40]

The main thing I've noticed is that when you really pick a lock to death (i.e. your practice locks), the tips of the key pins get rounded off.

[Pickermeapie]

OMG, Thermite!!!

(Sorry db. )

Is thermite that widely used in the locksmith trade?

[vector40]

Never. But it's a running joke here.

[n2oah]

I think my dad or grandfather did this:



LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL

I thought some of you guys would think this was funny.

[Chrispy]

That's nasty.

[skold]

LOL.

[treboR]

He should have used thermite

[c1187w]

Some locks with a master pin can have pins that fall out at the 180 degree point. To prevent this put the flat part of a pick on the side with the pins when it is done being picked.

Raking leaves metal "dust" from running over them. If you don't want to leave any trace pick a lock pin by pin. Raking will always leave some residue, even if it is very little.