New lockpicking method??

[tsharky87]

Hey I was just thinking...If you could stick some kind of very very thin but strong flat object (sorta like a padlock shim, but much longer) in between the plug and the hull of a lock (where the pins are), couldn't you just work your way past each pin by slowly lifting each one and applying slight pressure to your thin object? I tried it with a piece of paper but of course it just crinkled up. But if I had really thin but strong plastic or a padlock shim sort of thing that is just the right curvature and long enough to fit all the way the keyway, I really think such a thing is possible. Any comments?

[unbreakable]

yes, this is used and is thus entirely possible.

Some lockies do it when disassembling locks to rekey, instead of picking them.

The only thing is it can only be done from the back of most locks, and not the front. Take the plug out of a lock, you'll see why.

[tsharky87]

Interesting. Is there a name for thing technique or for the tool being used?

[iNtago]

shimming . shim

[unbreakable]

Yes, its called shimming. Lockies buy these shims commercially, but I sometimes use the metal strips out of security tags like this one-


I wrote a quick guide on shimming, and making locksmith's tools, which is here.- viewtopic.php?t=15743&highlight=homemade

There's links to some videos in the guide.

[tsharky87]

Oh. Now I really feel stupid...

[unbreakable]

don't worry about it man

You thought of something, which is widely used, without even ever having been told about it. Thats nothing to feel stupid about.

[cracksman]

Don't feel at all embarrassed ts87, a good idea is a good idea, A.G. Bell wasn't the first to invent the telephone, just the first to patent it. Keep the ideas coming

[JackNco]

Don't feel at all embarrassed ts87, a good idea is a good idea, A.G. Bell wasn't the first to invent the telephone, just the first to patent it. Keep the ideas coming

He wasnt even the first to patent it. he bribed the patent office.

watch inventions that changed the world - Clarkson

[Sl0th]

Wow you certainly are resourceful Unbreakable! I never thought about ripping those security tags apart to see whats in them. Even shimmed a padlock with that metal strip or do they have to be made like the ones from your pop can guide? I think I'll have to have a look for some of those tags around the house *searches*

[Kaotik]

Wow you certainly are resourceful Unbreakable! I never thought about ripping those security tags apart to see whats in them. Even shimmed a padlock with that metal strip or do they have to be made like the ones from your pop can guide? I think I'll have to have a look for some of those tags around the house *searches*

Shimming padlocks with those pieces of metal in security tags will not work, as they are not strong enough to seperate the dog latch from the shackle. Your best bet to do that is to use pop can shims or get some commercial ones for that.

[digital_blue]

Hey I was just thinking...If you could stick some kind of very very thin but strong flat object (sorta like a padlock shim, but much longer) in between the plug and the hull of a lock (where the pins are), couldn't you just work your way past each pin by slowly lifting each one and applying slight pressure to your thin object? I tried it with a piece of paper but of course it just crinkled up. But if I had really thin but strong plastic or a padlock shim sort of thing that is just the right curvature and long enough to fit all the way the keyway, I really think such a thing is possible. Any comments?

I'm curious. Was the original thought to do this from the front of the lock (as in, instead of picking, as a method of bypass)? It kinda read that way to me, but I could be wrong.

If that was the case, it would not work because the face of the plug overlaps the shell.

But maybe that wasn't the original point, in which case... carry on then.

db

[n2oah]

It may be difficult, but grinding off the front of the plug to shim the lock from the front isn't un-heard of.

[tsharky87]

I'm curious. Was the original thought to do this from the front of the lock (as in, instead of picking, as a method of bypass)? It kinda read that way to me, but I could be wrong.

If that was the case, it would not work because the face of the plug overlaps the shell.

But maybe that wasn't the original point, in which case... carry on then.

db

Indeed my original idea was to do it from the front but now I see the error of my ways. Since I've never seen the inside of a lock in real life, I didn't know that limitation. I don't really have the money to get one, either. All I have is a bunch of different padlocks but I don't know how to open those up to look at them.

It may be difficult, but grinding off the front of the plug to shim the lock from the front isn't un-heard of.

This seems very interesting, although it would damage the lock, I guess.[/quote]

[Johnny P]

n2oah wrote:
It may be difficult, but grinding off the front of the plug to shim the lock from the front isn't un-heard of.


This seems very interesting, although it would damage the lock, I guess

Yes, it would damage the lock. I have done it in situations where a ustomer had to get a lock picked, but it was an unusual keyway that had to be special ordered, but the customer had to get in that day.

Customer is also always told the lock will have to be replaced.