picking a tubular lock without special picks?

[kuefler]

My dad has one of those fireproof safes that has a tubular lock on it and he lost the key, it's empty so no big rush. But he wants me to find a way in without shelling out the cash for special picks or a locksmith to re-key it.

Any tips on techniques I could use to open it? I know that generally the pins go in a sequence and I think I know it, but i'm not sure, any good way to figure it out?

a friend of mine says he has picked a few tubular locks without special tools, but I haven't seen him in awhile so I can't ask him.

thanks for any advice!

[kuefler]

Also, I just read a post (forget which) that mentions tubular picks can be made, anyone know how? have video/pictures of how they are made?

although, i'd not really need a tubular pick very much, but it'd be nice if I ever become a locksmith to know how to make them, as the normal ones are expensive.

[marso]

I would suggest you browse around the forum a little bit, do a search or two and then post a more specific question. This has been covered a fair bit and I really do not have the time to search, when clearly I am doing it instead of you. Plus I know the answer to this. Also there are more posts on tubular picks than there are on normal picks because people like you post stupid threads like this. You could have at least asked in one of the larger tubular pick threads to keep the forum clean and stuff.

Bleh, I hate putting my foot in it in a previous post saying i might be helpful in the future and stuff. Please post in these threads below if you have any further info. I do not believe there is a thread about making keys, but if you take a key to another tubular lock and think about it for a little you shoudl be able to work it out. Go to a hardware store and get copper pipe or something. If you want more info on this topic please make a new thread with a clear title and a clear description of what you are after and what you have tried. Also a clear description of what the lock looks like, how many pins can you count and stuff like that. Pretty much you have brought your car to the mechanics and said "my car broke fix it" yet it could be the steering, not work at all, radio not working etc..

Also about making your own tubular pick, there is enough information in the thread below to make your own. Else look at pictures of other tubular picks, look at the lock, the key and try to work it out yourself. If you still can not work it out sit down and try to draw or just think more.

viewtopic.php?t=1632 - Making tubular pick
viewtopic.php?t=439 - Tubular lockpicks
viewtopic.php?t=2862 - Manually picking tubular locks

[Exodus5000]

I'm going to try to make myself a tubular pick here pretty quick. This is the method im going to use:
I have a tubular blank key (purchased from hardware store).

1.) I'm going to grind my blank key so that where the grooves would normally be to set the pins, I would have room for the picks.
2.) Grind the handle of the key down so that I can fasten the key to a length of copper tubing.
3.) Fasten the key to copper tubing. (preferably the tubing diameter should be real close to that of the key so the picks don't sit at an angle.)
4.) Cut my feeler picks using my spring steel plumbing snake as material and grinding pieces down (7 in all.)
5.) Connect the feeler picks to the copper tubing through use of rubber bands. I'm trying to think of a better way of securing them so that they don't float around on the copper tube, yet I can still push them in and out.
6.) connect a handle if im motivated enough

I'll let you know how it turns out if it's any good. If anyone wants to improve on this method please post your suggestions.