Door Knobs Disaster

[lhadnuz]

Hi: I'm noob-ish. I have been following tutorials.

My problem is that last weekend I needed to pick a friend's lock--he'd locked himself out.

I could easily pick to the point where the plug would turn ~90-deg CW. But beyond this nothing happened. That is, I couldn't get the knob to turn at all. I have repeated the experience with two other locks. Setting the pins and freeing the plug to rotate poses little problem. But that hasn't led to opening the door.

Help me obe-wan kenobe, you're my only hope....

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks! Dave

[jgencinc]

maybe you picked it the wrong way? doorknobs have to be picked one way or the other.

[m3ph15t0]

Right. I'm pretty sure you're about to get a "don't pick locks you rely on" talk. yeah.

other than that, I'm not quite sure I understand the problem.
At risk of sounding stupid: maybe you're turning the wrong direction?
yes. That sounds as if it might be right. When I unlock my door it has to be turned one way, and when I lock it it has to be turned the other. If I turn it the locking direction when it's already locked, nothing happens.
Course' that only applies if it's an in-handle cylinder, which it sounds like it is.
So. try turning it ccw.

[zeke79]

The top pins are getting stuck in the bottom of the plug (keyway) when you turn 90 degrees. Insert the back of a pick and lift the top pins while turning. It should work just fine after that.

[NIC]

The top pins are getting stuck in the bottom of the plug (keyway) when you turn 90 degrees. Insert the back of a pick and lift the top pins while turning. It should work just fine after that.

HUM i'm not sure i get it !!?? He said 90 degrees, not 180 !!?

[zeke79]

You are right. I misread that one . I would say they are right, you are picking in the wrong direction.