Help, I'm probably an idiot...

[Schuyler]

Hi,

So, I fell in love with lockpicking during the HOPE conference. I arrived home about an hour ago and thought "I should pick the door to my apartment, what a clever thing to tell my friends who have just dropped me off when we are all talking about the conference later on"

Let me be clear:
I didn't try to pick the street door (not looking to cause myself or anyone else trouble) and my apartment is one of 2 in this building, the other being my landlords. I just don't want anyone to think the ignorant part of this post is that I'm opening picking locks in public, or something of the like.

The ignorant part is this:
I got in! Sort of...the lock (deadbolt, nothing special, not sure of the brand) spun freely, halfway around, then stuck again. Seemed odd and wasn't something I had heard of (but I assume there is a TON I've never even imagined about locks) so I spun it back around, grabbed my key and went to enter my apartment, seemingly defeated.

Well, I sure was defeated, not only didn't I get in with the picks, but now the key will not work in the lock. It simply won't spin. My hope is that this is some weird fluke and something to do with...well, with something I'm hoping is benign.

Happily, I had another place to crash and I have a roomate (didn't want to wake him, so I went elsewhere). I also have another way in, but it would have woken said roomate, so I didn't bother.

I just want to know: Have I broken this lock? Or is it a fluke?

Any opinions would be appreciated! (Even if they are simply opinions on my behavior...)

Thanks

[jeremy]

It is normal for the plug to stop turning after it is picked and rotated 180 degrees, even if it turns farther than that when operated with a key. The top pins enter the bottom of the keyway a bit at this point, since there is no key to prevent that. I insert a pick, upside-down, lift, and continue turning.

As for the subsequent failure of the key to operate the lock, that's not normal. It can happen, however, when a master-keyed lock is picked and turned 180 degrees, if the lock contains master pins that are small enough. I don't believe this would ever happen, except in a very worn lock, unless a master pin shorter than the manufacturer's recommended minimum length is used. (A locksmith's pin kit typically contains specifications for various locks. I wouldn't suggest using a master pin shorter than .024" in a deadbolt.) The lock will probably be fine if it is taken apart and repinned. If it is indeed part of a master key system, the landlord will surely prefer to arrange for this service, in order to assure that the master key will still work.

[Schuyler]

Wow, thank you for all the information. Looks like I may have to have an uncomfortable conversation with the landlord. He knows I'm a dufus, however, so hopefully it won't be too bad.

Again, thank you for the information, I've got a lot to learn. Hopefully the next few lessons won't be quite so painful.

[Krypos]

well, i hope you get back in without too much trouble.

i would like to make this clear to all that read this thread:

THIS IS WHY WE SAY DO NOT PICK LOCKS YOU RELY UPON.

not trying to bust on you or nothing, you are new, so you didnt know (probably) but, we tell at least 3 n00bs a week (or at least i do) to not pick locks they rely upon, this being why.

[Schuyler]

Heh, as I said, opinions on my behaviour are welcome too. I registered post-stupidity and unfortunately acted in the midst of it.

Should be an obvious rule, shouldn't it?

[SFGOON]

In the quiet words of Nelson Muntz

HA ha!

[Schuyler]

too true, too true

glad to be here, albeit starting under duress

[Krypos]

i copy saved the text of this page so i can use it in quotes later, i am always telling new users to not pick locks they rely upon, and usually i have to write out a big thing, but now (no offence man) i can just quote that and say "see, dont do it"

of course i will exclude your name Schuyler, for generousity reasons.

but the story remains the same.

funny story, when i got my first practice lock, i did the same thing to mine. si i know what ya feel, cept, i wasnt locked out.

[Schuyler]

Over-eager. I couldn't be bothered to wait for a practice lock . And, of course, you are welcome to use anything I've said to further the cause of preventing newbies from getting themselves into preventable binds.

Heh, I am glad to know it's happened to others, just wish I had been a bit more clever in my actions. (I swear I'm a smart sort of person, just lack forethought sometimes.)

[jeremy]

It happened to me when I professionally opened an office door. I got it open just fine, but the key didn't work afterward. How was I to know that some wise specifications had been disregarded when the lock was rekeyed? One difference between your situation and mine is that I was equipped to fix the problem.

But relax. There are bigger bloopers to be made. Just wait. ;)

[Raccoon]

Since this all has recently happened, literally hours ago, I would suggest taking some quick action to prevent your roommate from getting locked out. If there is an alternate means into your apartment, get in there now! If your roommate should lock up this alternate route before leaving for work/class/whatever, your simple mistake will turn into an expensive one as the lock gets drilled out.

As it stands, this should be relatively inexpensive to fix. The lock gets removed from the door, the pin cover removed from the plug, the pins and springs dumped out (counting on some bent up springs), and new pins and springs (and possibly master wafers) inserted to match your change key (and the landlord's master key). From any reputable locksmith, this job shouldn't cost more than $25, but as much as $50 depending on your area. I would charge $15 if it was in-and-out.

[Schuyler]

Raccoon, thanks for the job information. We do have a really easy alternate way in and out of the house. We happen to have a second door about 8 feet down the wall from the one I screwed up which is keyed the same. The inconvenient thing being that it's attached to my roomate's room. I sent him a "Read This Before You Leave The House!" email detailing my exploits. I would call him presently, but my cell phone is in the apartment.

[Raccoon]

If you're anywhere near MIT, there are some members who might be willing to unscrew you before a locksmith gets a shot at it.

[Schuyler]

I actually met a great guy while at HOPE, but I've a mind to go the palms out route of saying to the landlord, "My new hobby really screwed things up this time, what can I do to make it right?"

Also, another question:

My roomate and girlfriend have both said "Just tell him it stopped working, don't tell him what you were doing." Well, I know my landlord and consider him a friend and wouldn't have the heart to lie or withold the truth from him in any circumstance, but it raised an interesting question, when the locksmith came in to re-pin it, wouldn't it be obvious that someone had been dicking around in there? And instead of just owning up to it ahead of time, wouldn't that get everyone paranoid about whoever was trying to get in the doors of his building?

Anyhow, as I said, I haven't the heart to lie to the guy, I tend to have a hard time lying in general, but I consider him a friend, you know? Anyway, just curious.

[Dimmy Locks]

You haven said that you turned the lock back the 180 degrees to normal position.

If you turned the lock 180 degrees and then found it wont move anymore the chances are the pins have slipped into the keyway. This is easily overcome by using the back of a pick to lift the pins back out of the core. The lock can then be rotated back the 180 degrees to normal.