Binding

[smurfadoodle]

Hi, Im new to lock picking and just a little question I need help with ..

I read the MIT Guide and seen the 'Flatland Model' used to describe the 'Binding' method. But I'm wondering, as you see in this picture where the bottom plate moves .. What area do I add pressure to so the bottom half that holds the bottom pins in the 'Pin Tumbler Lock' moves? In other words .. How do I do the 'Binding' method on the 'Pin Tumbler Lock'?

[Chucklz]

You apply tension with the torque wrench. Cheers.

[pizarro]

try to rotate the lock barrel, the reason why you can pick a lock one pin at a time is that it is impossible to manufacture a perfect lock.

[smurfadoodle]

So when I apply tension, trying to turn the plug to the left, i push the bottom pin up so the bottom of the top pin goes above the shear line, then the tension makes the bottom shear line bit rotate a tiny little bit, so the top pin can rest on it? That right .. Sorry Im just really confused.

[illusion]

Yes, that's correct.

Although you do not always apply tension in the same direction. Some locks will pick easier when turning one way, as opposed to turning to the other.

The plug/barrel will move and keep the top pin up there.

[jordyh]

Direction in rotation doesn't matter, right is as good as left, in general.

Anyway, you got it right.
That's how picking works, theoretically.
For the rest, it's practice, practice and practice (and some occasional reading on models of locks).

Good luck picking, and if you have questions, just ask.

[smurfadoodle]

But Im still puzzled as how the bottom part of the plug will turn a tiny fraction if the rest of the pins are keeping it from doing so. What is the bottom half under the shear line called?

[jordyh]

Gah, you got me to it, Ben.

[illusion]

Gah, you got me to it, Ben.

lol... I know I have to get a life when I'm racing people to reply.

Well, you are actualy dead right, and few people have asked this before. If the holes were all straight then the plug wouldn't move because the other pins would stop it - please bear in mind that they would have to be perfectly straight.

The problem is that the holes are never completely straight, and so there is a small distance between each pin that WILL allow the plug to move slightly.

I must say I'm impressed you asked this.

[skold]

Gah, you got me to it, Ben.

lol... I know I have to get a life when I'm racing people to reply.

Well, you are actualy dead right, and few people have asked this before. If the holes were all straight then the plug wouldn't move because the other pins would stop it - please bear in mind that they would have to be perfectly straight.

The problem is that the holes are never completely straight, and so there is a small distance between each pin that WILL allow the plug to move slightly.

I must say I'm impressed you asked this.

Not only is binding a result of sloppy tolerances/slight imperfections it can also be a result of the pins inside, Not one pin i have seen fits in the holes perfectly, they are usually a tenth of a mm or less too small.

[smurfadoodle]

Direction in rotation doesn't matter, right is as good as left, in general.

I was about the ask a stupid question but I this picture ...



I was going to say the only way I could rest the pins would be by turning the bottom this way ..



But now I know the opposite would work just as well because the pins could do the same on the other side too. Thanks.

[Shrub]

Just to clarify for you when the above have mentioed the holes arent straight it is meant that the 5 or 6 holes the pins are in arent all exactally in line with each other, the better the lock is made the more inline the pins are and the harder to get a single pin binding is,

As skold says the mixture of the pins being a smaller diameter than the holes also helps pins bind.

If you look at the picture you put above, imagine if the holes for the pins were pin 1 at 1 o'clock, pin 2 at 2 o'clock, pin 3 at 3 o'clock etc etc you would be able to pick pin 1 then turn the plug to 2 o'clock to pick pin 2 and so on, the way picking works is the same princible except the pins arent that far apart

[raimundo]

I just skimmed the thread but if no one else has mentioned it, the tensor itself can sometimes bind. the test is to release your hold on it, and if its loose in the keyway, its not binding, but if its stuck, even slightly, it is pinching between part of the plug and the cylinder wall. thats why its nice to have a few different widths of tensor, and also why a tensor with sharp square edges should be sanded to round those edges.

[smurfadoodle]

I've tried, but it just isnt working. I apply pressure to a direction, but how do I know when the bottom of the top pin has just gone past the shear line apart from being able to turn it a little bit? It confuses me because the first bottom pin just looks the same after I do it. Do I repeat this procedure with all the pins, so each top pin that passes the shear line rotates the plug another fraction?

[jordyh]

Yes, single pin picking is about picking pin after pin, in whatever order is needed, so it wil open.
For the rest, it's all practice.

Yours,

Jordy