Not so much a question, but I got to watch a locksmith...

[Kwikset]

A friend at his work called me up to go try to pick their office door, as the secretary locked the keys in the office.

I haven't touched my picks for months, because of school and everything, but I figured I'd give it a try.

I couldn't do it. I was only trying to pick it the right way, as I didn't think picking it backwards would do me any good, as I don't have a plug spinner.

Someone in his office wanted to try, and made a mistake in picking it the wrong way. Which didn't do any good.

They ended up calling a locksmith, who use a special key, which he barely put in the lock, and put a long "tension wrench" type of thing through the hole in the key. Then, as he put tension on the wrench, he hit the end of the key with a screwdriver handle. I noticed he was doing this backwards, but I didn't say anything, cause he's the locksmith right?

Anyway, the locked picked backwards after a few times. I wanted to watch him use a plug spinner, as I have never seen one in action before.

He says, "Oops, I picked it backwards. Watch this..."

He pushes in a little tab on the side of the lock, and the whole door handle pops off...

Wow, if I would have known you could do that, we could have opened the lock ourselves.

Anyway, it was cool to see a locksmith in action, as I never get the chance to, and it was great to learn a new trick for interior locks, with that little tab...

Now I'm thinking of getting a Rytan plug spinner, just in case.

[WhiteHat]

the key that he used was most likely called a "rap" key or "bump" key

I don't know how he did the other thing though...

[Kwikset]

I noticed only some locks have that little tab. It seems like cheaper interior locks.

He said the tab will only push in, if the lock is picked, or opened, either backwards or forwards. It was pretty cool.

After the handle came off, he had to use needle nose pliers, (which he failed to bring with him), to turn the little think inside, which unlocked the door.

[CaptHook]

On alot of commercial locksets this is normal. Its made that way for servicing/rekeying. Next time you are around an office building etc, look at the knobs/levers, you will find this is pretty common.
Chuck

[Hojo]

You said you had never seen a plug spinner in action well I made my own... heres some pics

Twister:

Housing:

"Rip" bar:

Collapsed:

Built:


I have a video if anyone wants to host it...Or I can send it to you over E-Mail (Its 4.7 MG)

[quasar]

what do you mean pick backwards or forwards?

[Kwikset]

Hey, I'll take the video:

omail66-temp@yahoo.com

Thanks.

Locks can be picked both ways, but the door will only unlock if you pick it the right way. Most commonly it seems, it's when the top of the plug rotates away from the door jamb. Counter clockwise, if the door handle is on the right of the door as you face it.

I think...