Hi everyone, lately I decided to revisit a childhood interest of lockpicking and one aspect I recently learned about were bump keys. They sounded too good to be true but after picking up a set and trying, I was suprised (and worried) about how effective they were. Anyways, I've been going around my house and testing to see what locks were "bumpable" and which were not and I came across a door that I could bump the key, but it would not open. I tried looking up answers for this but came up with nothing. Does this mean that that door is bump-proof? First time posting, so I hope I did this correctly. Thanks for any help!
Hi, sorry for lack of details. The bump keys and hammer were purchased from zero day gear. I've just been inserting the key that fits and tapping it with a bump hammer. I also have been using one of the rings (I believe they are castration rings) on the keys to make it easier to reset when trying. As far as goals, I guess just curiosity. Like I said, I had an interest in lockpicking as a kid since I was very into spy films. I did not think about the possibility of damaging my locks so I will be sure not to practice on functioning locks anymore. Feel free to ask for any more details if need be. I'm really just wondering why the key was able to turn as if unlocking but the door was not unlocked or at least was not opening.
Mhoncho68 wrote: I'm really just wondering why the key was able to turn as if unlocking but the door was not unlocked or at least was not opening.
Do you have the key to this door to see which way the key is suppose to turn in order to retract the latch? could be as simple as you turned the key in the direction that doesn't actually do anything to the lock mechanism. Is it a deadbolt or a spring latch? is it Kwikset? Defiant? Schlage?
The door is a deadbolt and the key I was using says AR1on it. I do have the key that actually opens the door. I did not think about the possibility that I was turning it the wrong way, is this possible with bumpy keys? If so, does this cause damage to the lock in anyway? It seemed to function fine after attempting to bump it.
Mhoncho68 wrote:The door is a deadbolt and the key I was using says AR1on it. I do have the key that actually opens the door. I did not think about the possibility that I was turning it the wrong way, is this possible with bumpy keys? If so, does this cause damage to the lock in anyway? It seemed to function fine after attempting to bump it.
You may want to take a step back to the basics and watch some videos on bump key theory and how and why it works before any more bumping of your locks. It's good to have an idea of what's going on inside the lock and how a cylinder transfers the rotation to make a bolt retract. Then you will gain a better understanding of what the bump key is actually doing. All the bump key does is hits the key pins, which in turn hit the driver pins, which get compress up into the bible for a split second, and at that point, a shear line is created between the plug and lock body and the plug can turn in either direction.
Using the correct key to open the lock raises the key pins to a certain height based on the depths of the key cuts, and if it is the correct key for that lock, a shear line is created between the key pins and driver pins right where the plug and body meet and the lock can turn in either direction. My point being that the bump key doesn't retract the deadbolt, the person turning the key does. It's no different than if you walked up to your door and inserted the key, but turn it to the locked position, you would immediately realize the mistake and turn it the other way in order to retract the deadbolt. Same with bumping, if you bumped and turned but nothing happened, then bump and turn in the other direction to retract the bolt.
this talks about which direction to turn the plug:
Wow, I feel kinda stupid. Thanks for your responses and help, the videos were especially cool! I definitely have a lot to learn when it comes to these kinds of things, so I do appreciate all the info you have given.
Mhoncho68 wrote:Wow, I feel kinda stupid. Thanks for your responses and help, the videos were especially cool! I definitely have a lot to learn when it comes to these kinds of things, so I do appreciate all the info you have given.
Dont feel stupud. We all start somewhere, and often with assumptioms that may be based on incomplete information.
Bumping is definitely a skill that needs developing. It can be useful, but in limited cases.
As jwrm22 said, it is absolutely a bad idea to practice on locks you use, especially as a beginner. Bumping can deform the pins and damage the lock. So can picking. I bet several people here have run lockpicking villages for beginners or are working locksmiths and can tell you about seeing plenty of damage to locks from beginners.
If you want to practice bumping, go to a thrift store and buy some $5 deadbolts or padlocks to practice with. Cheap and easily replaced!
Gordon
Just when you finally think you have learned it all, that is when you learn that you don't know anything yet.
