Theremin Lock Pick

[Emrys]

If you go to youtube and check out this vid: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsboTLD2BdY
You'll see this guy has attached a type of high frequency device, known as an electro-theremin, to a standard lock pick.

By help of Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electro-Theremin, an electro-theremin device is a musical instrument that produces sound at a desired pitch and frequency. You'll recognize the sound it makes from some of the old scary movies out there. This video is a good example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlnID3svGtE

As with some things in life, there seems to be a "sweet spot" or resonant frequency that seems to provide the greatest effect. (Ie:glass shattering under a given db and frequency) I wonder if I made a device like this, if there would be a range that would work good for vibrating the pins in lock picking.

Judging from the sound in the video this guy made, the frequency was fairly high. Not to mention, he picked this lock freakishly fast. Dunno if it was just a crappy lock or if it had something to do with his lock pick.

This type of lock pick would operate differently than a traditional electric pick gun. From what I've seen, there is a lot of lateral movement of the pick generated by the vibration of the pick gun. But with this Theremin Lock Pick, even though it would have much less actual movement, the vibrations would be much higher.

Any thoughts as to how good this would work?

[Josh66]

I'd be worried about the long term effects on the pick.

Harmonic vibrations cause cracks.

[Emrys]

I think the risk of that would be negligible. I seriously don't see that happening to spring steel...and even if it did, that's what....$2.00 for the pick? I'd write that off as an expendable item if this style of lock pick opened every lock like it did in the vid. lol

[Josh66]

Well, I think the risk of that happening is high... I've seen it happen while making picks. If you let the tip vibrate, sometimes it will just fly off. To prevent that, I just place one of my fingers on the tip. This absorbs the vibrations, and also tells me when it's getting hot.

Picking a Master in seconds isn't exactly a great feat anyway...

If it works like they show it, why use a lock pick at all? How would a straight shaft be any different?

[Emrys]

Picking a Master in seconds isn't exactly a great feat anyway...

Agreed.

If it works like they show it, why use a lock pick at all?

To open the lock.... ? Not sure I understand the question.

How would a straight shaft be any different?

Not sure it would be any different. Maybe using the hook pick gives it more access to individual pins without disturbing the others. I think the transfer of energy would still be the same though. The difference in the whole system lies in the type of electronics he's using though. Like I said earlier, a conventional electric pick gun seems like it uses more lateral movement to bounce the pins. Much like a bump key or a manual pick gun. The rate at which it vibrates isn't a determining factor in if it opens the lock. With this Theremin pick gun, it seems like it is.

I wish his video was longer. I'm wondering if it is a fake. He starts the video with tension on the lock. He very well could have picked it to one last pin, started the video, hit the pin, and boom.

Which obviously brings us to now. I want to see if it works. Having trouble trying to find the parts though. Anyone got a link for a similar circuit he used in his vid?

[Darkness1569]

looking at the key, It kind of looks like a master #3 I have where all you have to do is barely touch pin 4 and it opens. I am kind of wondering if that is the case here. nifty idea though.

[Josh66]

If it works like they show it, why use a lock pick at all?

To open the lock.... ? Not sure I understand the question.

Let me rephrase. Why use a hook? I assumed that everyone would know what I meant - I was obviously wrong.

The way something like this would work - I don't think you would need a conventional pick, so there is no reason for it to have a hook on the end.

[Emrys]

Let me rephrase. Why use a hook?

Maybe using the hook pick gives it more access to individual pins without disturbing the others.

Or maybe that was the closest thing he had around that had the right dimensions to fit in the lock.

[Legion303]

This is a fake. Watch it again and note what the pick does.

-steve

[bembel]

So there's a little speaker at the end of the hook, generating that sound. Why would that effect any pins?
Seems they were playing around with this electronic device (electronic pest repeller?) and it looked proper on a pick.
Next step: Let's make a video and pretend that it works.

[raimundo]

I prefer the theme music to the pink panther movies, I like cool jazz.

[drpepper7]

if anybody has any information reguarding this technique please let me know if this actualy works, and how.

[datagram]

The lock is already picked, by traditional means, and he doesn't apply enough tension to rotate the plug and engage the shackle retainer until he inserts the tool. Optionally, he has picked all but one pin traditionally and then picks the final pin in the video to open the lock. He could also just bypass the pins and attack the shackle retainer directly, but that doesn't look like what he's doing.

dg

[Josh66]

I didn't notice before, but the 'device' is only zip-tied on, and the heat shrink handle is still on the pick. I don't think those vibrations would transfer through a zip tie and heat shrink. The device would have to be bonded to bare metal to actually do anything to the pick.

Also, the 'device' has a speaker on it. Who wants to be that's where the sound is coming from?