Padlock Picking Technique

[sams choice]

I tried to do a search to see if this was posted anywhere else and i could not find anything. Well i found with most padlocks that have a small key way like the masterlock No. 40 or the masterlock 380, that if you use a feeler pick that is just straight and stick it in there and jiggle it really fast back and forward gently, and jiggle the pressure on the tension wrench to on and off on and off, the lock usually becomes set. Not too much fun for sport, but if it is a simple lock, it will pop open.

Locks that work 80% of the time (have tried on atleast two - high to low or high low high low ratio)

Masterlock
no.1
no.3
no.5
no.7
380
40
130
140
150
530

Brinks
R70 Shielded Padlock
More but don't have them with me*

Mountain Security
Basically any of their locks, even the six pin padlock

I will post a video when i get to my camera next

This is the feeler pick incase no one knows what i am talking about:



The straight one. haha not the diamond or the extractor.

Give me some feedback.

[Isakill]

so, that second one in the drawing is a key extractor?
coolie think I need to make one of those

[raimundo]

The first important thing about picking a padlock, is how you hold it, being right handed, I usually hold it with the lesser 3 fingers in my left hand and I keep my left index finger free to manipulate tension. remember, the lock only weighs a few ounces, so any gorrilla grip is just causeing you hand to be fatigued and less sensitive to the tension feedback.

[sams choice]

raimundo

That was sorta an odd post. Didn't seem like it was along the subject of rocking the lock. haha.

[raimundo]

sorrrrry

[zeke79]

raimundo

That was sorta an odd post. Didn't seem like it was along the subject of rocking the lock. haha.

Actually I think it is right on topic since the title of your post is "padlock picking technique".

[vector40]

How would jiggling a straight pick forward and backward do anything at all? There's nothing vertical.

[sams choice]

You got me Zeke79, my apologies to raimundo. You were right on and it was insightful. But here is a video example, the cut is High to low to higher to higher to highest, should have video the key, but forgot and my batteries are dead and i have no time, i will post a link for the R70 later. oh and sorry for the crappy example. i will post a better one later.

[vector40]

I wonder if maybe you're using the corner of your probe as a sort of half diamond.

[sams choice]

no. what happens is that straight pick is all the way in the back of the lock. When i lift it back it lifts the back to pins up, and sets them. When i lift it forward it lifts the first two pins up ans sets them. because they are set they will not go up anymore and it always other pins to be touched. This does work on 5 pin locks but usally just 4 because of the size oa the locks. I could draw a picture later.

[Bahrg]

Its hard to tell from the video, but I know exactly what you are doing. You are using a rocking motion on the straight pick. I use to use this same technique many years ago before I knew anything about it to pick my desk drawer with a fingernail clipper file. The swivle on these assisted in the rocking motion. This lock of course was a simple wafer and easy as pie. Never tried this technique on a proper lock. I might just have to do that.

Course that would take some of the fun away like raking does I still practice it tho since in a lockout situation I would probably use the fastest available.... assuming I had my picks with me and not locked inside

[illusion]

Due to the tollerances, it's possible to do this with cheap locks... wiggle it manicaly untill the lock gives up trying to stay locked and pops open... there was a video posted by..... their name illudes me at present... but in essence they inserted the pick and franticly jiggled it untill it opened. Tyhe lock was a Mountain Security if I remember right.

[sams choice]

haha im not sure what you mean by the pins giving up. The gentle shaking back and forward kinda acts like a vibrating pick and sets it quickly. works for about all 4 pin locks, with security pins or with out them. Mountain security makes a 6 pin padlock but it doesnt work on that because the key is too long for it to reach and properly "rock".

[sams choice]

alright this is the best i could do to try and describe the technique. I will make a video tonight of opening various padlocks with this technique.

[sams choice]

here is the R70 picked using the rocking technique