can you lock pick a door using a paper clip?

[mrsirmrman]

I have been experimenting with staples (the kind used in construction). They measure about 1/8" thick by about 1" long. If you straighten it out, you will have enough material to make a double ended pick. I find that if you take two pairs of needle nosed pliers, you can shape them any way you want. They are more sturdy than paper clips but still does not compare to a real pick. Makes good practice for figuring out how different shapes/angles work though. Im gonna make a whole bunch of these to get some good/effective shapes, then transfer them onto a hack saw blade or something.

[Omikron]

I have been experimenting with staples (the kind used in construction). They measure about 1/8" thick by about 1" long. If you straighten it out, you will have enough material to make a double ended pick. I find that if you take two pairs of needle nosed pliers, you can shape them any way you want. They are more sturdy than paper clips but still does not compare to a real pick. Makes good practice for figuring out how different shapes/angles work though. Im gonna make a whole bunch of these to get some good/effective shapes, then transfer them onto a hack saw blade or something.

I can't understand people's infatuation with making picks out of paper clips. The results are always equally craptacular and it teaches improper technique. Either make some picks off of some templates, or just buy picks. They're really not all that expensive, and there are plenty of people out there willing to sell them to you. Once you've become experienced with real tools, then you can go back to trying ot use paper clips, but you will then understand why the idea is so silly.

[mrsirmrman]

The results are always equally craptacular Yep
teaches improper technique. I dont have what I would consider "proper technique" yet, so I cannot respod to that poit.
They're (picks) really not all that expensive True (I have purchased a couple myself)
there are plenty of people out there willing to sell them to you. Yep
Once you've become experienced with real tools, then you can go back to trying ot use paper clips, but you will then understand why the idea is so silly.

You are probably right. And you may have more "technique/experience" in your pinkie than I may ever. But, if Magicalmerf ( sorry, i cant help but laught at that name) just wants an answer/suggestions or wants to be all McGyver, thats fine too. I just want to offer what little advise I could. So far, people have been helpul in answering my questions... Just want to give a little back when I can.

[Omikron]

And you may have more "technique/experience" in your pinkie than I may ever. But, if Magicalmerf ( sorry, i cant help but laught at that name) just wants an answer/suggestions or wants to be all McGyver, thats fine too. I just want to offer what little advise I could. So far, people have been helpul in answering my questions... Just want to give a little back when I can.

Well, I don't know about that first part, but I'll take the compliment anyway.

As far as being McGuyver and whatnot, it's hard to say what's going on in people's minds when they ask such questions. More often than not, it's someone who's too lazy/frugal to devote any time/money to truly understanding the sport. It's all fine and dandy if you want to be able to pick up household objects and adapt on the fly, but before you get there you have to be familiar with the methodology first.

Either way, thanks for your eager advice.

[EGOOT247]

MacGyver ROCKS!!!

I like MacGyver. "Improvise!"

That's why I try...

But I've been improvising long before I've known him. And he doesn't have all the tricks, I have some of my own.

And MacGyver doesn't pick correctly.

[weldman]

i would say its just about impossible for a new person to pick a lock with clips....

I've been trying for 2 days with a master lock and 2 paper clips
still nothing...i can get 3 of the 4 pins though...

yea I'm just waiting for my picks to come in....about 2-3 more days now

lockpicks.com
get yourself a good set

[mrsirmrman]

Oddly enough, one of my first locks was a no 3 masterlock.... I was able to pick it with a paper clip.... ONCE!!! and then after I got my first pick set, I have not been able to pick it again!!!! Just thinking about it makes me upset!!!! I've tried and tried, over and over again and again, and it just hangs there.... mocking me. One day soon though, ill show you who your daddy is. (insert evil sinister laugh here)

[Jay J. McCool]

I'm not nearly as experienced as most of the regulars of this forum, but...

I own a SouthOrd pickset. It's nice. But the MIT guide says that the lockpick isn't really that important of a tool - it's the torque wrench that opens the lock (well, really, it's the analytical thinker, who does it all!) The lockpick is just for getting information about the lock's construction (although you do have to be able to push the pins with it, too!)

I find the paperclip to give VERY good feedback about the lock (compared to my basic SouthOrd set,) but it can be difficult to move the pins without bending the "lockpick."

I'd say that people give the paperclip more crap than it deserves. It's no fancy-schmancy, and most of them probably can't hold up well enough to pick an entire lock (move all the pins without bending) - but can it be a useful tool? Certainly.

It's not the chisel that creates a masterpiece, it's the artist. The chisel is simply a necessary implement. A crappier chisel might not produce as smooth a sculpture, but the artist's vision still gets across - and a masterpiece is a masterpiece, yes?

[spQQky]

I own a SouthOrd pickset. It's nice. But the MIT guide says that the lockpick isn't really that important of a tool - it's the torque wrench that opens the lock (well, really, it's the analytical thinker, who does it all!) The lockpick is just for getting information about the lock's construction (although you do have to be able to push the pins with it, too!)

True, the torque wrench will open the lock AFTER the pick pushes the pins correctly...

I find the paperclip to give VERY good feedback about the lock (compared to my basic SouthOrd set,) but it can be difficult to move the pins without bending the "lockpick."

...but you NEED to move those pins, without distorting your tool.

I'd say that people give the paperclip more crap than it deserves. It's no fancy-schmancy, and most of them probably can't hold up well enough to pick an entire lock (move all the pins without bending) - but can it be a useful tool? Certainly.

Certainly, whatever tool gets you through to a solution under a given circumstance.

It's not the chisel that creates a masterpiece, it's the artist. The chisel is simply a necessary implement. A crappier chisel might not produce as smooth a sculpture, but the artist's vision still gets across - and a masterpiece is a masterpiece, yes?

Yes. But an artist also strives to master the needed tool, whether improvised or 'top of the line'. Learn to master any tool available, and your art will be masterful.

[tito_dbm]

I am very new to LPing, but the very first lock i picked i picked it with a paperclip as a pick and tweezers as a tension wrench. It is possible!!

[Mr. Lock Pick]

yes you can, but will be very dificult, and will teach you bad picking tecniques.

[pradselost]

Picking a lock with a paperclip or safety pin is certainly possible, in the lines that any implement that can be used to perform the actions needed to open the lock would qualify as "possible".

The problem is that they're inherently inadequate as functioning tools, as well as learning tools. You wouldn't teach someone to play billiards using a baseball bat or a broken-off branch, because not only would it be difficult, it would teach them poor fundamental skills. They would wind up with a skewed idea of what is required to play the game properly.

I think messing around with unusual tools is a good divergence for experienced lockpickers, however. Firstly it can bring a bit of variety to the art, and can give new use to those old locks that you don't find challenge with anymore. And second, who knows when you'll be in desperate need to open a door with a roach clip and a pair of tweezers? ;D

[CVScam]

The only good thing I learned using paper clips as tools was a light touch on my paper clip tension wrenches. Its also a lot more fun to use paperclips like Macgyver. I saw an espisode( 21 - Prisoner of Conscience)
where he used the insides of a lightbulb as a lock pick.

[Deathadder]

I've used a paperclip to pick my front door. i'm sure a pick would be easier, but i can't seem to find a place that sell picks, and i dont have a grinder, so i cant make one. what kinds of places sell em? (my front door is a schlage so it can be done)

[USMAN]

I can open some of my locks with paperclips, but i cant open the doorlocks with it cuz the doorlocks in my house has very thin & zigzag enterance, so i even dunno how to pick them via tools lol.

well you can see my video of opening a tric-circle padlock with paperclips

http://mastmahool.com/tri-circlepp.wmv

Thanks