Lock Picking 101 Forum
A community dedicated to the fun and ethical hobby of lock picking.
       

Lock Picking 101 Home
Login
Profile
Members
Forum Rules
Frequent Forum Questions
SEARCH
View New Posts
View Active Topics


Live Chat on Discord
LP101 Forum Chat
Keypicking Forum Chat
Reddit r/lockpicking Chat



Learn How to Pick Locks
FAQs & General Questions
Got Beginner Questions?
Pick-Fu [Intermediate Level]


Ask a Locksmith
This Old Lock
This Old Safe
What Lock Should I Buy?



Hardware
Locks
Lock Patents
Lock Picks
Lock Bumping
Lock Impressioning
Lock Pick Guns, Snappers
European Locks & Picks
The Machine Shop
The Open Source Lock
Handcuffs


Member Spotlight
Member Introductions
Member Lock Collections
Member Social Media


Off Topic
General Chatter
Other Puzzles


Locksmith Business Info
Training & Licensing
Running a Business
Keyways & Key Blanks
Key Machines
Master Keyed Systems
Closers and Crash Bars
Life Safety Compliance
Electronic Locks & Access
Locksmith Supplies
Locksmith Lounge


Buy Sell Trade
Buy - Sell - Trade
It came from Ebay!


Advanced Topics
Membership Information
Special Access Required:
High Security Locks
Vending Locks
Advanced Lock Pick Tools
Bypass Techniques
Safes & Safe Locks
Automotive Entry & Tools
Advanced Buy/Sell/Trade


Locksport Groups
Locksport Local
Chapter President's Office
Locksport Board Room
 

Cold so cold

Having read the FAQ's you are still unfulfilled and seek more enlightenment, so post your general lock picking questions here.
Forum rules
Do not post safe related questions in this sub forum! Post them in This Old Safe

The sub forum you are currently in is for asking Beginner Hobby Lock Picking questions only.

Cold so cold

Postby Pick4Kicks » 28 Mar 2011 19:15

If the lock is cold (canadians) does it make it harder to pick,should i let it warm up
Rule No. 1 Nothing is impossible unless it violates the laws of physics.
Rule No. 2 Bend the laws of physics if you can.

Bill Stone
Base Camp
Oaxaca, Mexico
Pick4Kicks
 
Posts: 13
Joined: 18 Mar 2011 18:22

Re: Cold so cold

Postby chriswingate » 28 Mar 2011 19:43

I live in Minnesota, if the lock has lubricant in it that can't stand up to super cold temperatures then yeah it can freeze shut and make it hard to pick. If the lock gets moisture in it or snow, then it can freeze and make it a to pick. It's like when your car locks freeze shut, happens to me in Minnesota.

Cold by itself I don't think really makes a difference, if the pins and plug is "cold" it shouldn't affect picking, but if there are materials in the lock that can freeze, then yeah it will affect picking.
2nd Battalion 5th Marines, Fox Company Blackhearts - Semper Fi
www.youtube.com/chriswingateusmc
chriswingate
 
Posts: 186
Joined: 6 Jan 2009 20:49
Location: Minneapolis

Re: Cold so cold

Postby bembel » 1 Apr 2011 9:16

Just put some locks into the freezer and do a comparison before/after.
I did and it seems to reduce the feedback of the plug.

In rl there would be other factors like numb or trembling hands
User avatar
bembel
 
Posts: 499
Joined: 31 Oct 2004 19:08
Location: Germany

Re: Cold so cold

Postby raimundo » 1 Apr 2011 11:38

If you are talking about a padlock you will have to hold in in your hand as you pick it, and cold hands are tense, this changes your skill.

if it has non stiffening lube (graphite) is should be ok internally, there is a product that combines graphite and alcohol that is used on frozen locks, alcohol supposedly melts ice, its what the airlines spray on wings before winter takeoffs.

rain can get in and freeze to ice, and this can then be chased out of it with a small torch.

working outdoors in cold weather can be a real challenge.

I make picks that some say have no handles, but they are quite small and I have invented ways to pick wearing mittens, by simply poking the pick shaft out of the mitten through a hole and the same for the tension, but you have to make sure that the holes are placed ergonomically so that the mitten does not become a factor

It must be cold in those mountains in oaxaca :wink:
Wake up and smell the Kafka!!!
raimundo
 
Posts: 7130
Joined: 21 Apr 2004 9:02
Location: Minnneapolis

Re: Cold so cold

Postby chriswingate » 1 Apr 2011 11:55

raimundo wrote:I make picks that some say have no handles, but they are quite small and I have invented ways to pick wearing mittens, by simply poking the pick shaft out of the mitten through a hole and the same for the tension, but you have to make sure that the holes are placed ergonomically so that the mitten does not become a factor


Thats a good idea Raimundo, its gets nice and chilly here in MN, thankfully it is warming up.
2nd Battalion 5th Marines, Fox Company Blackhearts - Semper Fi
www.youtube.com/chriswingateusmc
chriswingate
 
Posts: 186
Joined: 6 Jan 2009 20:49
Location: Minneapolis

Re: Cold so cold

Postby Rickthepick » 5 Apr 2011 7:42

depends on the metal i suppose, do some metals contract in cooler temperatures (i cant be bothered to google it) Im pretty sure thats why bimetallic strip works.
Rickthepick
 
Posts: 1613
Joined: 24 Sep 2009 4:15
Location: UK

Re: Cold so cold

Postby Ezz » 5 Apr 2011 8:02

Heat causes metal to expand, certainly I know from loosening up bolts on my kitcar a minute or two with the blowtorch makes a huge difference. In theory if a lock was hot/cold enough the pins/drivers and their corresponding holes may be tighter/looser than they usually are. That been said, I would have thought the temperatures required to make a difference would be outside regular handling range.

Bi-metallic strips work by having two different metals on top of one another. As different metals expand at different rates this causes the strip to bend and lose contact
Ezz
 
Posts: 14
Joined: 1 Apr 2011 4:06
Location: Leeds, UK


Return to Got Questions? - Ask Beginner Hobby Lockpicking Questions Here

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 17 guests

cron