Pick-Fu locksmith powers used for good.

[Gelmar]

Okay I have a pick-fu story to tell. And I'm going to post pictures for the first time so I hope it works.

I was at work (hospital from 7am-7pm) and around 3 oclock when the first shift is leaving one of my co-workers locked her key in her locker.

<a href="http://s86.photobucket.com/albums/k106/Gelmar/?action=view&current=lock.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k106/Gelmar/lock.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

thats the lock nothing special master no.3. Some of my co-workers know i'm capable of picking locks. So she came to me in absolute desparation asking me if i could pick her lock.
At this point i was kicking myself in the ass because I don't bring my tools to work. I told her this and she frantically replied "Well can't you do it with paper clips or something?!"
I told her it didn't really work that way but if she had no other way to get home i would give it a shot. (Maintenance does not come in on the weekends and they have access to bolt cutters). I've also tried picking with paperclips before and it is not effective (for me). I made an effective tension wrench with a paperclip and worked at it for a bit.

<a href="http://s86.photobucket.com/albums/k106/Gelmar/?action=view&current=tensionwrench.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k106/Gelmar/tensionwrench.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

yes I am aware of how mangled looking it is. But it allowed me to hold constant tension. I used the little curly cue on the right side to do it. The rest is mostly something for me to hold onto with my fingers.
With the paperclip pick i couldn't even get pins to set so i was going no where fast. When i realized that my co-worker had a lot of hair pins in her hair. Bobby pins in fact . I had her give me one and i used a pair of suture scissors to pull of the bulby ends.

<a href="http://s86.photobucket.com/albums/k106/Gelmar/?action=view&current=pick.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k106/Gelmar/pick.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

With this i was ACTUALLY able to set pins albeit with difficulty. I had to look inside the lock while it was upside down to tell if the pins were set because i couldn't get any feedback from the hair pin. At this point my co-worker was panicking because her keys and wallet were all in the locker and she couldn't get a hold of anyone. It was looking grim and it seemed that she would have to wait 4 hours at work until the 7am shift got off and someone could give her a ride home.
When low and behold I felt the lock give a twist and i was able to set the final pin and it jerked open.
I was so amazed even with myself that i got it to open with these shoddy on the spot tools. But at the same time it was a feeling of greatness beyond that which i have felt in a while. Being able to actually impress someone other than myself or my wife and actually help someone out with this talent was really heart warming. Not to mention it made me feel like a totally badass hospital macgyver.

Thats the end of my story, its a little long and drawn out but it was fun for me.

[Gelmar]

pictures didn't work i'm gonna take another crack at it here they are in the order of my story







okay hope that works

[dougfarre]

Nice man, you should tell that story at the next meeting! Also, always have an emergency kit on you!

[zikmik]

...I was so amazed even with myself that i got it to open with these shoddy on the spot tools. But at the same time it was a feeling of greatness beyond that which i have felt in a while. Being able to actually impress someone other than myself or my wife and actually help someone out with this talent was really heart warming. Not to mention it made me feel like a totally badass hospital macgyver...

This is something that money can`t buy...

[Gelmar]

Nice man, you should tell that story at the next meeting! Also, always have an emergency kit on you!

I know. From this point on I'm always bringing a tension wrench and a diamond pick to work. Whould be plenty to open anyones locker lock if they get locked out again.

[Squelchtone]

Dude, you'd better have walked away with her phone number and a possible date.

=)

[Gelmar]

Pregnant isn't really my type right now

[thewizardofal]

A guy I know gave me a rake pic that is made like a pin,it has a tension wrench for shirt clip.Id seen them on a lock pick sales place,would have never bought it.Works great,push the pick out the end ,pull the tension wrench clip out, boom your in buisness.Like I said would have never bought it , now it's priceless.Good story.

[robin11]

nice story - tension wrenches are really helpful

[Havoc]

That is a rather heart-warming story!

I think one of the major reasons I want to learn how to pick (Aside from loving Bond style films), is seeing this one couple locked out of their car at one of the gas stations in town. Everyone had tried calling the local locksmith, but he was out of town on another job. I stepped up to try and help anyway I could, from wedging my arm in through into the backseat from the trunk, which was open when they locked themselves out, to trying to get some wire in through the seal in the window, etc. But to no avail.

After about an hour of pondering and prying, someone showed up who knew a thing or two about getting into locked vehicles and helped them out.

I wish I could do that sort of thing myself.

But, gotta crawl before you can run, so they say.

[priz2086]

Never underestimate the power of some paperclips or hairpins. Heck, thats what I learned to pick with. If you can become somewhat decent with those, when you graduate to a real pick set it will be like working with magic tools that work like a charm

[Gelmar]

Working with the hairpin was definately frustrating. Its hard to get a grip on, and it barely give any feedback. It was so nice to pick up my tools at the end of the day. I have a new appreciation for them now.