Bobby pins

[AMaturePerson]

How many times have you picked a lock with them?

[LockDocWa]

Zero, Hey why not make this question a POLL???

[GWiens2001]

I started picking locks with them. Way back when, must have opened a couple hundred locks with them. Shaped them, as I was shown to do, into a teardrop rake. Put the end into a hole drilled into a dowel for a comfortable handle, and used another bobby pin as a tension wrench.

These days, most of the bobby pins have half the width and metal as the older ones, but if you look enough, you can still find the thicker ones.

Gordon

[AMaturePerson]

How do you make a poll? I would have but I didn't know how.

[LocksmithArmy]

I play around with bobby pins

but I dont use them often

These days, most of the bobby pins have half the width and metal as the older ones, but if you look enough, you can still find the thicker ones.

Gordon

I dont mean to offend anyone... but if you want big thick bobby pins go to the black peoples section in your shopping center... their hair is thicker and requires bigger bobby pins... (there is a specific section for thick hair at my walmart, but you could try a hair salon that caters to black people)

[yogibayer]

I remember long before even thinking about being a locksmith sitting at my desk bored picking the wafer lock with a screw driver and a paper clip.

[AMaturePerson]

Personally I have only been able to pick an old car ignition (not in the car) and a few pad locks...

[daniel22747]

I like that bobby pin tension wrench idea. Good for making a top of the key way wrench that does not mess with the first pin!

I have used bobby pins to make a tension wrench for tubular locks.

[AMaturePerson]

The best way to use a bobby pin is to use a bobby pin as a pick is to grind off any Paint, then using thin pliers bend the flat edge upwards to make a tear drop pick. If you want you can use electrical tape to make a nice handle

[AMaturePerson]

I find that a great way to make your bobby pin work as a pick is to use a lighter and apply heat to the pin after you have bent it into the desired shape and then dip it in a glass of cold water after about 6 seconds under the flame. It helps the pin to not bend when force is applied.

[basepi]

Heh, now I have a new challenge -- pick a lock with a bobby pin! I've really only ever used "real" picks, as I was introduced to locksport, as opposed to finding it on my own. =)

[YouLuckyFox]

I haven't had any luck with bobby pins, but have found safety pins do well as an improvised pick. I often do a double bend at the end to make a half-diamond shape (that is I don't pick with the tip of the safety pin) and then bend the safety pin assembly out 90 degrees and hold it in a pistol grip (or reverse pistol grip depending on the lock orientation.) This 90 degree bend lets me use the spring mechanism in the safety pin to add to the lift of the picking; this prevents the pick from bending and is easier on the hands than picking with other very thin profiled improvised picks like paperclips and bobby pins.
+1 at making this a poll
http://s1317.photobucket.com/user/youluckyfox/media/Jacket/Up-facingpicks_zpsf30dd422.jpg.html