how destructive is the use of a bump key?

[deralian]

Bumping can have a few adverse effect. In addition the wear on the lock you could (depending on the lock) end up popping off the cap the hold the springs and pins in place. So unless you have the means to repair/replace missing parts bump at your own risk.

I'm always asked when opening a door if picking will damage the lock. I tell my customers that what I'm doing isn't any more damaging than when they put their key into the lock. Can't say the same for bumping

[billdeserthills]

Using a pick gun does also rarely knock the cap & springs out, especially on the schlage f series locks. As long as nobody panics,
the parts can all be recovered from the inside of the knob, once the lock has been opened

[blue60]

I have a lock that I think was bumped, the top cap let go and shot parts into the knob... it was not a hard sell to the owner to replace the knob, at least the door also had a deadbolt.

[billdeserthills]

I have a lock that I think was bumped, the top cap let go and shot parts into the knob... it was not a hard sell to the owner to replace the knob, at least the door also had a deadbolt.

Ethically I would have had to rebuild it, unless this was happening often. I just have a thing about rebuilding things that don't need to be thrown away.
My Dad is an old-time auto mechanic/locksmith and that was how things were done in his shop. In fact he chewed my butt the last time I replaced the power steering pump on
my van, said I could have rebuilt it myself for a few bucks with a reseal kit.

[blue60]

I have a lock that I think was bumped, the top cap let go and shot parts into the knob... it was not a hard sell to the owner to replace the knob, at least the door also had a deadbolt.

Ethically I would have had to rebuild it, unless this was happening often. I just have a thing about rebuilding things that don't need to be thrown away.
My Dad is an old-time auto mechanic/locksmith and that was how things were done in his shop. In fact he chewed my butt the last time I replaced the power steering pump on
my van, said I could have rebuilt it myself for a few bucks with a reseal kit.

I would have if the outer cylinder was not plastic. the Customer kinda freaked when I shook the handle and a plastic KIK and pins dropped out, I sold them a new one at cost plus labor for the install so I dont feel bad.
I will take a pic when I get home and post it

[billdeserthills]

I have a lock that I think was bumped, the top cap let go and shot parts into the knob... it was not a hard sell to the owner to replace the knob, at least the door also had a deadbolt.

Ethically I would have had to rebuild it, unless this was happening often. I just have a thing about rebuilding things that don't need to be thrown away.
My Dad is an old-time auto mechanic/locksmith and that was how things were done in his shop. In fact he chewed my butt the last time I replaced the power steering pump on
my van, said I could have rebuilt it myself for a few bucks with a reseal kit.

I would have if the outer cylinder was not plastic. the Customer kinda freaked when I shook the handle and a plastic KIK and pins dropped out, I sold them a new one at cost plus labor for the install so I dont feel bad.
I will take a pic when I get home and post it

You sound good to me

[KPick]

I only use bump keys in the event that I can not open the lock any other way. I had a bunch of padlocks and residental knobs and deadbolts to play with. I noticed even with a good deburred bump key and o-ring with bump hammer did little damage by eye some of the locks got kind of sticky when using the key to turn the cylinder. So even if you can't see the damage some is happening to the pins and springs. Still if someone is locked out and it is freezing outside I know I can bump it faster than picking. I will use a bump key to get them in and in the future replace the pins and springs for them if need be.

That's nice of you, but bump keys can be pretty destructive... -_- in your case, a last resort is in need, so it's quite acceptable in that situation.

[knowspicker537]

Is it truely a non-destructive method of entry? Or does it pose risks to the lock. I read one post on here were someone said using a bump key put burs on all the pins causing them to get stuck. Is that a common occurrence? I'm quite enthralled about this method of entry and am about to make a set of bump keys, but should I set aside specific locks for bumping that I don't care about getting wrecked?

Bumping does cause damage to the lock (however most of it will be aesthetics and not hinder the operation of the lock). That being said, for example on the 'new' Schlage F-series knobs, if that lock is bumped, it does put tiny indentations on the "t pins" which are above the regular pins that can cause the cylinder to stick and be a bit problematic in future use.

Bought a couple bump keys about a year ago and used one with my friend in his door, he had a schlage knob now it sticks and doesn't work well anymore. So I'd suggest not bumping any locks that are in use. Also it took about 5 to ten minutes to get it to turn, while spp for me takes about a minute 30 with the same lock.

-knowspicker537

[Slayer85]

It is generally safe, if you use the right technique and are fairly quick.

[MBI]

It is generally safe, if you use the right technique and are fairly quick.

That's a pretty big "if" so I'll have to mildly disagree with your necropost.

Yes, it IS possible to bump a lock without damaging it, but to say it's "generally safe" might be overstating things a bit. I've seen way, way to many locks destroyed by bumping to ever describe it as "generally safe", regardless of how many qualifications and addendums you might add to the statement.

[DangerDane]

Here bumpkeying is considering hard to prove, so you are up shitcreek if someone bumped your lock and stole from you since its hard to prove that a lock has been bumped. Unless you bring it to a forensics expert with specialty in locks. He/She might be able to find minute shavings in the lock, but that is outside of what most normal people or LEO's would be able to find or see.

[kwoswalt99-]

Here bumpkeying is considering hard to prove, so you are up shitcreek if someone bumped your lock and stole from you since its hard to prove that a lock has been bumped. Unless you bring it to a forensics expert with specialty in locks. He/She might be able to find minute shavings in the lock, but that is outside of what most normal people or LEO's would be able to find or see.

A more obvious giveaway would be the indentation on the front of the plug.

[sleepyrz]

ive had a few of those compressible bibles on the schlages pop off and maybe one cap on a kwikset

meh it depends on the moon phase the tides and if you had your wheaties