Picking cheap padlocks

[Makarov]

Hi, found this site after a websearch and have spent some hours here already
As I'm the "practical guy" at work, I sometimes get questions about helping out when someone is keyless in front of their locker. They usually use cheap padlocks, and I've had 3 "cases" the last 6 months(the last one yesterday) and I've had to use a hacksaw/boltcutter earlier and used a crowbar yesterday. This is both a lot of work and can be damaging to the locker.

When I was a kid I was introduced to the skills of lockpicking by a dodgy acquaintance, and I remember he had a homemade pick that looked something like this:

As I remember it, he was quite handy with this one. I've tried to find a similar tool on the web, and found one but lost the link
Can anyone tell me about the usefulness of a pick like this(primarely on padlocks)? I checked the Lockpick identification guide, but that was text only so I couldn't identify it there.

And is there any neat tricks that can be used to open el-cheapo-padlocks? (and some not so cheap ones )

I'm also thinking about buying a set, but want a small one to EDC. Found this keychain set, how useful is such a small set for a newbie?

Thanks in advance

[Jason13]

Jackknife?

[eric343]

You mean like this?
http://www.lockpickshop.com/p-Auto-Tension-Wrench.html
http://www.lockpicks.com/index.asp?Page ... &ProdID=56

[eric343]

Generally you ask for opinions *before* ordering...

Automotive locksmithing isn't discussed on the open forums. Rocker picks in general can be useful, generally on lower-tolerance locks. (possibly excepting the computer-generated picks)

I don't see any hobbyist use for that set, though. It would only be useful if you do auto lockouts and opening. And I had absolutely no idea that Amazon.com sold lock pick sets!

[Makarov]

You mean like this?
http://www.lockpickshop.com/p-Auto-Tension-Wrench.html
http://www.lockpicks.com/index.asp?Page ... &ProdID=56

No, it looked something like this, made from a hacksawblade IIRC.


This is a good example on why you should finish you drawings so there's no confusion, I saw a pointy end, you saw 2 pronges

[SFGOON]

Makarov, have you seen Avtomat or Abakan?

Sorry, couldn't resist.

[Makarov]

Makarov, have you seen Avtomat or Abakan?

Sorry, couldn't resist.

He he, no prob. I use Makarov as my nick as I'm quite fond of my "Russian piece of trash" gun.

[Makarov]

So after some more searching, I found this thread, that shows a pick excactly like the one I mentioned and the guy's Norwegian too...

Should have searched more before asking

[Makarov]

So after some more searching, I found this thread, that shows a pick excactly like the one I mentioned and the guy's Norwegian too...

Should have searched more before asking

Hit the wrong button("Submit" instead of "Preview"), and found out that URL links don't have a different color in this forum.

Fixed

[Raccoon]

You can buy them here.

[Wolfman]

Bahhhh!

Thats exactly what i thought it was. I came across this tool in a book a few weeks ago. I got all excited and typed out how it works. Just to dubble check, I decided to check the book to make sure it works on padlocks and the book said it olny works on some desk locks. I figured it was something else and dident post.

DOH! -Homer Simpson

[Makarov]

Bahhhh!

Thats exactly what i thought it was. I came across this tool in a book a few weeks ago. I got all excited and typed out how it works. Just to dubble check, I decided to check the book to make sure it works on padlocks and the book said it olny works on some desk locks. I figured it was something else and dident post.

DOH! -Homer Simpson

he he, and sometimes you write a long answer, and when you post it you find out someone who's a faster(or more sloppy) typer has hit the submit button before you.

I'm going to try to make on this weekend, but I don't have any el-cheapo locks to try it on(I only got ABUS-padlocks, as the demonstration I was shown so many years ago told me something about quality), so I have to buy me a couple. Think I'll look into making some other picks as well, maybe a snapgun(out of coathanger) and a tensionwrench.

I'll se what I manage.

[Makarov]

So I got hold of some hacksawblades today, and gave lockpickmaking a try (I also bought a cheap padlock to try to pick)

First I tried the "knife", but had no luck in opening the padlock.
The I made some picks, but as I just winged it, they got to be too big
I didn't have much luck bending a tensionwrench either, as the metal lost it's tempering even though I followed the tips in the "homemade-picks-video" I found here. Guess I bought blades with another type of metal...

At least I got to try the concept out, and I think I'll be able to pull this of if I can find some templates and some other metal to make tensionswrenches with. (I can buy a cheap drainsnake)

Something for you other newbies who want to try this; It's not that difficult, I used my Dremel with cuttingwheel no 420.
I broke a couple of cuttingwheels, but used gloves and safetyglasses so I was protected