How do you pick a tubular lock? Please help me!

[swat3652]

I have a 7-pin tubular lockpick, but I can't open any locks with it. I know I'm doing something/everything wrong here. The instructions that came with the pick suck, and I can't find anything useful on the internet. Please, someone give me detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to pick a tubular lock. Thanks.

[joecool2727]

i have the same problem, i just got a tubular pick but i cant figure out how to use it.

[DrDave]

Tubular Lock Picking – DrDave-USA

It's really quite simple, and using the South-Ord 7-pin tool I can pick most Tubular Locks in less than 75 Seconds.

There are TWO (2) ways to do it. Both ways work pretty fast, however I’ll discuss my preferred method. First, pull all the feeler-Picks all the way to the Black Rubber handle (You were wondering WHY that rubber piece was included), then put the pick into the lock and hold it all the way down into the lock and place clockwise medium-tension on the tool. Then push each pick slowly down till it hits a "Stop". Do this to all 7 tumblers and PRESTO, The cylinder turns. Read the next paragraph first!

I’ve seen some locksmiths use rubber-bands to hold in the picks, I first use plastic tie-clips and place one around the upper section of the tool, the other just below the rubber O-Rings on the tool while pushing the brass “Holder” off. I then use either a piece of round plastic or another rubber O-Ring around the tool to hold the picks from FLYING ALL OVER!!! But it is VERY IMPORTANT to put the Right Size O-Rings or other rubber or plastic, They MUST loosen up the picks to move easily when they are placed on the edges AND tighten-Up the picks when they are moved toward the center "inside" two O-Rings in the tool!!!

NOTE: On the first Tubular Pick I opened, I made a LARGE ERROR, I removed the brass holder, while attempting to just move it toward the end… It came off and all 7 picking rods went flying… Then I had to figure out how to get all 7 back in place!!! The above paragraph details how I overcame that potential ERROR from happening again.

There is a 85-Min Video where you can hear how it's done. It is discussed between :57:15 thru :59:17 Minutes in the Video. The link is:
http://connectmedia.waag.org/toool/h2k-lockpicking.wmv

I KNOW There is another Link on this site showing it done... I'll attempt to locate the link for that video. The title of the Video is:
h2k#2-lockpicking-vcd.mpeg
It is a 60 Min Video and they show it being opened from :32:20 thru :35:25 of that file.

DrDave-USA

I'm in the process of making a CD Video that will cover all types of Lockpicking including Tubular Locks.

[joecool2727]

thanks Dave that helps a lot.

P.S. I made that same mistake with my pick, all the picks went flying everywhere but i managed to get them back on.

[DrDave]

I forgot to mention, it is probably a good idea to use at least one small rubber-band around the Tubular Tool's Picking Rods BEFORE you attempt to remove the Brass ring.

Also, after I put on my small plastic rings (cut from a Flexible Plastic tubing, used for pluming and alike) I cut-off the Plastic tie-wraps. By doing this the tool has only the two plastic rings, and the two Rubber O-Rings in the middle of the tool (Under the Rods). I also sometimes use O-Rings, but they hold the Picking Rods a bit tight.

DrDave-USA

[DrDave]

MagicWhiteGuy had posted the Video where they SHOW Tubular Picking… His link is:
http://connectmedia.waag.org/toool/h2k2 ... ng-vcd.mpg

It is a 60 Min Video and they show Tubular Picking from: 32:20 thru: 35:25 of that file.

DrDave-USA

[DrDave]

Instructions for South-Ord “TPXS” Tubular Manipulation Picks
This is the package insert with the tool. It Also works well, however generly takes longer than my prefered method above.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Be sure that the lock is clean and all the tumblers are free.
2. Slide the picking needles back and forth several times to ensure that they move freely.
3. Push the picking needles slightly beyond the end of the pick. Press the end onto a hard, flat surface to line the needles with the end of the pick.
4. Insert the pick into the lock as far as it will go. Do not apply torque to the pick at this time. Inserting the pick into the lock raises all the pins in the lock to their individual shear lines.
5. Withdraw the pick a few thousands of an inch at a time. This allows the pins to move towards the shear line. At the same time, apply tension by torquing the pick left or right. This forces the fingers back until the pins reach the shear line. Once all the pins are trapped at the shear line, the lock is compromised.

Tips
1. Do not apply excessive force when torquing the lock.
2. Be certain that the pick is perpendicular to the lock at all times. If you find that the pick has moved off perpendicular, remove the pick
and begin the process again.
3. If any of the picking needles have moved all the way back to the cutaway at the end of the pick, you must start again. This is caused by moving the pick off perpendicular or by withdrawing the pick too far, initially.
4. Practice, Practice, Practice!

DrDave-USA---------------------------------------------------------------------

[joecool2727]

2 more questions- should the pick be rotating clockwise at all because i cant seem to apply the right amount of tension without making the pick rotate around the lock. also, how long did it take you to open your first tubular lock?

[DrDave]

Are you putting the tool in the lock where the "Center" or “Notch” matches-up with the Notch on the Pick??? If you are doing this right, when put into the cylinder the tool should NOT move, except to add tension UNTIL all the pins are lined-up!!!

I bought a Master Tubular Padlock for about $8.50 at Home Depot. It came with keys. While waiting for the tools to arrive I noticed the only way it opened, UNLIKE other Master Padlocks, was "Clockwise".

When I received the tool, I had watched the two Videos posted above, so I had an idea of what to do. The tool arrived a day later.

The Video where the "Impression" style is shown:
http://connectmedia.waag.org/toool/h2k2 ... ng-vcd.mpg

and the Video where they speak about how to do it from:
http://connectmedia.waag.org/toool/h2k-lockpicking.wmv

However, I did what was most logical to me first; that was to apply clockwise tension and move the Rods DOWN... After pushing all seven rods to the first "Stop" and double-checking two of the rods to ensure it was the FIRST Stop, I then released the tension, put my hand on the handle, wiggled a VERY SMALL amount and to my surprise POP WENT THE Shackle!!!

Total time... Less tan Four (4) Minutes... Probably about 3.5 minutes…. Honest

DrDave-USA

[joecool2727]

ok Dr. Dave, i understand what you are saying but what if the pins on the lock that you are trying to pick are not lined up evenly with the notch in the lock. if you have the book Easy Pickings look on page 16 and when you look at the 3 locks at the bottom you will see what i mean.

[DrDave]

Joe,

EMail me direct to the address below. I only have a "Photo" of that book, page by page, so it's VERY Hard to SEE The photos.

If possible, scan-in that page. However, I think what U have is a lock that has two or three "Notches" on it right??? One Notch will turn clockwise, and the other will turn counter clockwise or Both ways... An "Open" and "Locked" Notch. So place the pick in one of them and see if it "Stops (Will NOT turn) in one direction... That is the direction to place tension.

You may run into a notch where it turns both ways.... That is the notch you need to turn to. In other words DO NOT PUT THE TOOL in that Notch. Put it in the other one and turn the tool for tension towards that notch!!!

Let me know if you have SUCCESS!!!

DrDave - USA
AWH@cox.net

[Xler]

Did you get that photo from me?

[DrDave]

No, yet to get the Photo. The 3rd bottom on Pg 16 of "Easy Pickings" is called Right-Offset. You may NOT be able to open that lock with the South-Ord 7-Pin Tool. The tool I'm expecting to arrive on Monday claims to be able to overcome that problem... I also think the South-Ord 8-Pin will work. But without the lock and a selection of tools it's only a guess.

DrDave - USA

[joecool2727]

is there any way to move the picks so that they line up with the pins? also, i got one of those 7-pin tubular Krypronite locks and i can open that up pretty easily. the other lock that i cant open is an Ace II

[koder]

Hmm, I still am somewhat confused as to what the terms "right offset" "left offset" and center actually mean. Can anyone enlighten me?