picking warded locks

[Teus]

I've read several documents about warded locks. I've made picks out of a coat hanger. I bent 1cm on the end of wire in a 90° angle, and I grinded it down so it would be really thin.

now I'm trying to pick those warded locks at home but I'm not getting anywhere. after some practicing, I feel the part inside the lock that has to be moved very well. so I put my pick in, find that moving part, and apply a circular pressure. the bolt moves very slightly, but doesn't go further. when I turn the pick in the other direction, I'm able to get the bolt back a few mm so it's again in it's original position.

how come I cant turn the lock completely? a lot of tension doesn't help me. the tip of the pick is thin enough, so it should get past the wards

ends of the pick and key:
http://users.pandora.be/deschildre/private/wardpick.JPG

[Kodack]

Most warded locks actually release the bolt on both sides. So it sounds like you might be getting one of the sides to unclasp but not the other.

If you don't have any warded skeleton keys or anything you might try part of a small saw blade, a nail file, any strong, flat, wide piece of steel.

Cut it to the width of the lock and bend it to get past the wards, then you turn and jiggle it in both directions to try to get an impression. Remove your blank and cut away the areas that rubbed. IF you are having trouble seeing them, then try a little candle wax melted on the blade, or soot from a candle to make the rubbed areas more visible.

A possible pick might look like a very elongated T

Good luck. PS, coathangers are very soft steel and don't make good picks.

[Al]

I believe Tues is talking about a mortice lock and Kodak a padlock. Two totally different mechanisms.
Teus your lock may have two or three levers as well as wards. You will need to work around the wards to lift the levers to their correct heights. Take the lock apart and study or post photos.

Al

[Teus]

yes, as far as a quick google img search tells me, it's a mortice lock indeed. I'll look up more info about those mortice locks then