Picked My First Lock! (McGuyver Style)

by **jedidove** » 26 Feb 2007 20:00

Hey guys. Sorry if this is the wrong forum or shouldn't be posted but I'm just too excited. I ordered a 15pc metal handle slim line set from LPS on friday. The order still isn't processed

So today I decided to at least get my first lock, a 5 pin Kwickset deadbolt for about $12.

I was so antsy that I needed to find makeshift picks. I took an old clip (lanyard style) and bent it for a tension wrench. I took a paper clip and made a hook but that was getting messed up. So I unbent a hair clip and used the flat side for a feeler. I used the bent up paper clip as a finishing rake.

http://www.vzwpix.com/mi/143432145_4697 ... er=2,0,0,0
(Phone picture, blurry I know. Top to bottom: lock, tension wrench, feeler, rake)

I was considering starting at one pin but I just kept saying "ah give it a few more minutes first". Then all of a sudden it opened! I've been picking it for the past few minutes and now I can open it in under a minute (maybe less that 30 seconds).

Its so redeeming! I can feel the tension wrench turn as I set each pin and I can feel most of the pin positions (set, unset, binding, etc.). Can't wait to try my real picks!

by **Eyes_Only** » 26 Feb 2007 20:10

Congrats. Being able to open your first lock is always a great feeling, especially when you can do it with homemade tools. Mines was a large safety pin and I think I used the same material for a tension wrench as you did too so I know the feeling.

by **Tygart** » 26 Feb 2007 21:32

Great job, I opened my first lock McGuyver Style too.. I used two blow gun darts.

Tygart

by **Isakill** » 27 Feb 2007 9:34

I havn't went Ghetto stylin' yet but I may actually try it soon now that I'm hearing all bout you "ghetto lock bustas" now :lol:

by **Fackifiknow** » 27 Feb 2007 13:46

yeah my first lock pick was a nail i used to get into my parents liquor cabinet when i was 13 or so i was such a bad kid :twisted:

by **nice7175** » 27 Feb 2007 20:28

mine was with my crappy hacksaw blade picks. it was a kwikset deadbolt. the pick i used was like an s rake but the s extended the length of the shaft, i used a jiggling motion instead of a raking motion and the lock opened really quickly much to my surprise.

by **illusion** » 27 Feb 2007 20:32

That's cool - it's a big boost when you pick your first lock.

Just wait until your slimline picks arrive - you'll be having a lot of fun. :wink:

by **jedidove** » 27 Feb 2007 21:58

They're coming tomorrow!

Meanwhile, I'm now able to pick my kwickset in 30- seconds with my clips consistently. I tried picking it to the locked position but I couldn't seem to do it.

For the hell of it I tried picking it to the locked position lefty and managed to do it once. I don't have much more time tonight to keep trying. Other than that one time I couldn't do it.

My question is, should I practice picking lefty too? I assume whichever hand I can unlock the lock with I should practice locking it with too right?

by **jedidove** » 27 Feb 2007 22:05

Edit: I can pick it into the locked position righty. It takes a little more time but I've done it three times since the last post.

by **jedidove** » 27 Feb 2007 22:17

Edit: Sorry for the triple post

But I can pick it to the unlocked position lefty now too. Takes longer than righty, but usually it doesn't as long as picking it to the locked position righty.

by **Tygart** » 28 Feb 2007 2:12

Ease off on the tension a little.

by **jedidove** » 28 Feb 2007 21:58

Got my set and they're great. The rakes are just way to easy. Less than a second to pick. Already starting to get a feel for what picks work for what and which I like the best.

So far I like the regular tension wrench better than the twist flex (I'm surprised) because it seems easier to control the tension. I'm even more surprised by how little tension you really need (Thanks Tygart).

Overall, I'm starting to understand what's going on and what needs to be done at a given time more than I did before.

This set is really a great buy and so far the slimline's feel strong enough. I'm glad I didn't waste the money on standard picks. Can't wait to get more locks!

Thanks all for the help! I've gained so much knowledge from this forum and know I will gain even more.

by **ThereAreNoSecrets** » 14 Mar 2007 13:29

Congrats on picking your first lock!

Unfortunately, in MacGyver (yes, I'm a big fan, I own the series), the "lockpicking" he does consists entirely of inserting his Swiss army knife into the keyhole and twisting. Not real true-to-life.

(Then again, he IS MacGyver. Maybe he is that good.)

My sister is pretty crazy with a bobby pin and a paperclip. I've seen her open a couple of Master padlocks in ~30 seconds. (Even with my homemade set of tools, I can only open it in around 12-15 seconds.)

-Josh

by **Legion303** » 16 Mar 2007 7:00

Pshaw. MacGuyver would have mixed his own poop with cellulose from playing cards and some charcoal to make an explosive and then stripped parts out of an old radio to use as an electronic ignition. You, sir, are no MacGuyver. :P

-steve

by **ObiWonShinobi** » 25 Mar 2007 9:06

No.... Mac would have put the explosive in the lock...
and used a parabolic mirror he made from an old coke can
to reflect concentrated sunlight into the explosive to detonate it.

then as the explosion pushed the top pins above the sear line the
half of a pingpong ball he DIDN'T cut for extra cellulose would catch the
expanding gases from the blast and turn because it was glued to one
side of the plug at an angle, with glue he made from cactus juice,
and sun hardened with the mirror.....

seriously Legion..... think things through why don't ya.
electronic ignition??? get real!!!!!

Picked My First Lock! (McGuyver Style)

Picked My First Lock! (McGuyver Style)

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