Making Padlock Shims

[R0gue]

works on kwiksets and master deadbolts and regular door locks... have you "tried" it?

[Varjeal]

I think he's referring to AFTER you have the cylinder out you can shim the lock from the back.

[pointofview]

I just tried the "security tag" shims... and they work great! They are SLIGHTLY less rigid than commercial shims, but they performed excellently.

Note: These aren't padlock shims, they're shims for a pin tumbler lock, when shiming from the rear. So their purpose is not to pick the lock, and can only be used if you already have access to the lock from the inside.

[kon3ki0n]

ok. I've went through 3 cans and i can't open it..Ive also pricked myself 2 times ans sliced myself once...DO NOT USE COKE CANS!!!! they do not work

[seahawk]

^^^^^they don't work on most locks, but you can find locks that work.

[Chucklz]

If they don't work on most locks.... I would say to not even bother cutting up the cans to even try.

[frostbyte]

I used a pepsi can to shim open a schlage cylinder a few hours ago... (from the back of course.)

[Buggs41]

I like beer cans.

Only problem is I have to dirnk wya twwoo mnay fo them bffor tehy wokr.

[Mad Mick]

After a few Heineken's, these bottles certainly look useful...Hey! What's this red stuff?

[PickPick]

Oh Mick, you didn't try to cut up the glass bottle to make shims, did you?

[nobby]

lol!!!
never heard of a file? a second cut warding file will normally do the job for you....
I tryed tape measure like u said, and it doesn't work it won't fit tween' the lock...

[Mad Mick]

Oh Mick, you didn't try to cut up the glass bottle to make shims, did you?

Nope! I drank the contents of the bottles, then tried to cut up the glass shims to make bottles with.

[nothumbs]

Here's a technique for making shim templates in a variety of sizes and shapes.

Download a free copy of Avery DesignPro software:

http://www.avery.com/us/Main?action=sof ... ecode=3200
you can skip the registration at this site by downloading from here:
http://www.download.com/DesignPro-Limit ... 22632.html

Install the program, then open a new blank project and select a label stock. I use the 5262 stock as it is about the right size for shims.

Insert this picture file into the label.



Now scale to your heart's content. Change the vertical and/or horizontal dimensions to make your shim tall and skinny or wide and short. Each time you make a change, print out the change to a different label on a sheet. You can use the printer option button to pick which label you print on, so with the 5262 stock you get 14 different templates from a single sheet of labels. Since the labels are adhesive you can either stick them directly on your stock, or do what I do and stick them on old plastic giftcards then cut them out to make permanent outline templates.

Once you've cut out the sheet metal, put gaffers tape (sometimes called duct tape) on the handles. If you want even stronger handles, cut the handle part double-high then fold the handle part half-way over on top of itself. Then tape to protect your fingers.

Shims are a throw away item. Make lots, use until bent or torn then dispose of the damaged shim and use a fresh one. I've gotten good results using .003 inch steel shim stock. Thin enough to fit on most locks, cutable with scissors, but strong enough to last through more than one use. The commercial ones I bought to check out were .005 which was too thick for the locks I tested on. While old drink cans offer a free source of shim stock, aluminum is usually too soft for good results. Steel works much better. I've found inexpensive rolls of steel shim stock on eBay. A five dollar roll is virtually a lifetime supply.