A random Wafer lock idea

[kiisseli]

I did a search before asking, flame me if I ask too stupid questions.(Oh, and sorry for my crappy english).

Anyway, I was looking at the wikipedia article on waferlocks(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disc_tumbler_lock). I noticed that at least in the picture the discs are shaped so that one could easily decode the lock just by feeling them one by one or by using play-doh to something...

My simple question is, can one decode real life cheap wafer locks like this?
If yes, should one use modelling clay or just a little piece of wire?

And if real life wafers are like that, could one pick one of these just by lifting one disc to get the key height and then lift all others as much?

[Shrub]

In most cases yes you can lift a wafer as high as it goes to decode the lock,

Keep clay etc out and use other methods,

[linty]

you're right about being able to exploit wafer locks this way, however an even easier method is just to visually "read" the wafers. the more wafer visible, the deeper the cut. A broken pick or some other probe can be used to push the front pins all the way up while you look at the last one then slowly withdraw the probe and pay attention to how much wafer is visible on each cut.

[Krypos]

umm...single sided wafers arent that hard, why not just pick it and be done with it?

if its double sided, well then i guess, continue.

[kiisseli]

Thanks for your replies.

The visual approach linty suggested sounds pretty cool.

Single sided wafers aren't hard to pick, but for some reason I like to explore exploitation possibilities. As the the subject suggests it's just a random idea that I got while surfing the web.

[bpc293]

i love this site every time I'm wondering about something i don't even have to ask someone else does it for me. to add a little more, how important is this skill in a locksmith business.

[Shrub]

umm...single sided wafers arent that hard, why not just pick it and be done with it?

if its double sided, well then i guess, continue.

It not for opening but key making,

Bpc, its an important skill especially if doing vehicles although you would tend to use a decoder tool to do that for you,

Anything that saves stripping somthing down in the dark and wet is a massive help,

If you can make a working key for a lock without stripping it your laughing,

Get your impressioning up to scratch or learn to decode,

[bpc293]

thanks i wanted to buy a decoder. i wasn't shure if it was worth getting there's so much stuff out there. Foley has a book and the tool for forty bucks is that an OK price. i wasn't laughing i wanted to her more about striping in the middle of the night.

thanks

[Shrub]

The tool?

You need lock specific tools, grab me a scan or a link of the tool in question and we/i can make a better judgement, but you need to post it in the advanced section

[ldnlksmth]

re: importance in locksmithing buisness.

I do this ALL the time, at least 10 times a week. Someone will bring a (usually file cabinet cam) lock into the shop and say "make a key for it". If the cam is staked, I just read it and code out a new key. My boss (30+ years in) has a bin of different pundra keys and used the try-out method until he found one, often took hours. I do this now in less than 10 minutes for two working keys.