Picking a doorknob is a pain

[jimmyboy]

Does anyone feel like that? - i hate how they give way when i use tension - i usually wrap a piece of duct tape to make the knob still so only the cylinder will move - maybe i am missing something - an easier way?? well besides ripping it out with a dent puller

[Eyes_Only]

Try grasping the knob with your hand and applying light tension with your thumb, that worked for me when I first started. Be careful though because it's easy to apply too much tension when using your thumb instead of your index finger.

[hippy5749]

Iagree with eyes_only. Grip the knob with the tension wrench hand and apply light pressure with your thumb or Pinky, depending on which direction your picking it. I find this steadies the knob more than enough for picking or raking. Just remember, if your not quite setting the pins, try bouncing the tension a little (Slightly less tension, slightly more, repeat) It will help with under and oversetting of pins. Hope this helps you,

Thanks,
hippy5749

[Exodus5000]

Key in knob locks are pretty sloppy usually. If you're picking just for a hobby you get much more satisfaction just picking deadbolts and padlocks.

[RodVT]

True enough problem. While this won't work on a hobby board, I am going to go cut a few wood wedges to insert between the knob and the door jamb for the next one that gives me trouble in the real world.

[jedidove]

Funny story. I was at my girlfriends house and she has a pin & tumbler lock on the doorknob to her room. However, she just so happened to leave her keys inside and closed the door.

So we come upstairs and we're both like " #$&! ". We considered wedges or credit cards like RodVT is planning for but the molding to her door blocks you from doing that. All of a sudden she goes into her grandmas room and starts searching for something. I ask her what she's looking for and she tells me lockpicks O_o turns out her grandpa was a locksmith (unfortunately he is no longer here in the flesh).

Back then I only had an extremely basic understanding of lockpicking. So, I could only manage to rake 3 pins but I couldn't pick it. Long story short, we reopened an alternate entrance to her closet and I brute forced the latch

She used to pick really easy locks at her grandpa's as a kid but she says it was such a long time ago she can't even remember how to.

[Hachronn]

At the moment, I couldn't agree more.

I've been practicing my lock picking during down time at the shop (automotive), so when the shop's owner changed the locks on one of his rental properties, I inherited a couple of Kwiksets and Defiants.

Nothing special, but good enough for my current skill set. While picking the dead bolts, and the Kwikset knob, is trivial, I've had nothing but trouble picking the Defiant knob. I can pick the defiant clockwise (i.e., I can lock the Defiant), but I've only managed to pick CCW once in three days.

I know it's all an issue of proper tension, but I'll be if I can find the right touch.

[YouLuckyFox]

@ Hachronn:
That's a great point you make. The binding order is different depending on which way you turn the plug, if you pick CW, sometimes pin 3 will be the first pin you'd need to pick to free up binding, but turn it the other way and it would be the last pin needed to free the shear line. PM me if you'd like a picture illustration. Also, try shortening the entry end of your tension wrench and applying tension at the TOP of the keyway. This will apply torque linearly rather than diagonally. Let me know if you have any questions. Also, there's nothing wrong with having to pick it CW and then use a plug spinner to turn CCW. (youtube "homemade plug spinner" if you'd like.)

[Squelchtone]

Hey fellas.. feel free to start a new thread if a thread you are replying to is as old as 2007.

Chances are most of the folks you are replying to are no longer active members here.

If a thread was last replied to in the last year to two years, I'd probably still reply to it, with some sort of language like "I know this is an old thread, but..." and then add your wisdom.

Hope that helps,
Squelchtone

[YouLuckyFox]

Thanks for the heads up, Squelchtone; will do.

[Raymond]

Especially when someone bursts through and the knob smacks you in the forehead.

[C locked]

Had a b!tch(Technical term. For a lock that thinks it's a female dog.) of a knobset today. Couldn't pick it open. 5min. Still not open. Decide ok i'll pick it locked and plug spin. 10 seconds. Put the spinner in and accidently turn it. Couldn't believe my luck. locked again. 10min later when i finally pick it open.

[C locked]

Raymond. Print up a sign. "CAUTION! LOCKSMITH AT WORK " and slip it under the door. Make it big enough that i'll be seen.

[GWiens2001]

Raymond. Print up a sign. "CAUTION! LOCKSMITH AT WORK " and slip it under the door. Make it big enough that i'll be seen.

If you do that, you can be sure that whoever is inside will open the door so they can see what the locksmith is doing. Then they will wonder why the locksmith is moaning on their knees holding their forehead.

Gordon

[Evan]

Raymond. Print up a sign. "CAUTION! LOCKSMITH AT WORK " and slip it under the door. Make it big enough that i'll be seen.

If you do that, you can be sure that whoever is inside will open the door so they can see what the locksmith is doing. Then they will wonder why the locksmith is moaning on their knees holding their forehead.

Gordon

LOL...

Bring a door wedge with you for outswinging doors and protect yourself by making the door more difficult to slam you in the face...

~~ Evan