Cold Weather + Lockpicking

[Exodus5000]

I'm sure some of the Americans above the Mason Dixon line, and definately the Canadians can help with this problem.

Does someone have a technical explanation for exactly why it is a standard 5 pin tumbler reacts more poorly to picking when the weather is cold as opposed to a warm indoor climate? They seem to get a "rusty" feeling to them, as well as not want to stay settled at the shear line. I'm sure it's made worse by the fact that your hands get cold picking as well.

Following that, what are some good solutions to this problem? I have a sneaking suspicion a little lock lube wouldn't hurt, but is there anything else?

[bonez]

not sure on a technical explanation!

but i for one hate to pick in the cold,fingers go numb
and you lose all fee back from the pick.

here's to the summer

[bonez]

oops
missed the d!

feed back

[bembel]

Temperature affects the viscosity of lubrification (the mixture of oil and dirt).

[jamesphilhulk2]

why dont you use the anti-freeze spray for car locks it might work, but i have never tried it

[bonez]

what on your fingers

[illusion]

You can buy pocket hand warmers, they atre either disposable or reusable... the disposable ons you simply tug on each side and it creates a chemical reaction causing heat. They are pretty good if you go fishing on piers, and your hands are freezing.

[jamesphilhulk2]

no on the locks, well i guess if your fingers were really cold then you could use them

[Blink]

I'm surprised no one has suggested thermite? (Maybe that's because it's only for advanced sections? )

That'll thaw that lock out in a jiffy, and warm your hands up too .

[jamesphilhulk2]

and all u will see is molten brass all over the floor and ur fingers turned to ash good luck picking then

[HeadHunterCEO]

brass is a good conductor
take a butane lighter or torch

don;t put the flame to close to the lock for 20 seconds or so

repeat as nessacery

[Jason13]

Some times when fingers get a bit swety the handles become slipy so its hard to feel. Without handles it takes longer but still happens, i prefer To pick in a Coldish area Not that when i get a hard lock i go and stand in the rain for a hour i jsut prefer it Keeps hands from getting swety

[SteveW]

I think the real reason locks are harder to pick in the cold is due to the contraction of the moving parts. When they are cold everything shrinks a bit.

Different metals also contract at different rates.

Of course i may be wrong but that seems logical to me

Cheers
Steve

[bembel]

Different metals also contract at different rates.

That's right, but the effects are rather small on this scale. See Thermal expansion of metals

P.S. For numb fingers, I recommend thin gloves. (thin cotton cloves, for example)

[Exodus5000]

Of course you can count on a german for any engineering or technical information