How do you mount locks

[ragebot]

I have seen multiple youtube vids where guys pick locks. Sometimes they are simply held in one hand that is also putting tension on the tension tool. Other times they are mounted on what looks like a small section of a door, or maybe even a 2X4. Using a vice seems to be another option.

I was considering how to best mount a lock and thought about making a triangle out of three sections of a 2X4 and setting it on a table. My friend who advises me on engineering issues suggested I use a longer 2X4 (what ever) so the lock was mounted at the same level it would be in a door. If the truth be known when picking a lock for real you most likely will not be sitting down, rather you will be sorta stooping over/bending down to reach the lock.

What I am trying to figure out is how much different it is to pick a lock comfortably sitting down with the lock on a table as opposed to the real life walking up to a door and bending over; and more to the point is it worth while to take a four foot 2X4 to mount the lock at a realistic level as opposed to using a shorter section and learn sitting at a table.

Also wonder if there are other options to mount a lock.

[AngryHatter]

For comfort I'd use a small vise. Panavise etc.
My workbench has a small vise which I use to hold the locks I am working upon.

For real life comfort a wheeled step stool makes a great seat at the perfect height.

[cledry]

I have seen multiple youtube vids where guys pick locks. Sometimes they are simply held in one hand that is also putting tension on the tension tool. Other times they are mounted on what looks like a small section of a door, or maybe even a 2X4. Using a vice seems to be another option.

I was considering how to best mount a lock and thought about making a triangle out of three sections of a 2X4 and setting it on a table. My friend who advises me on engineering issues suggested I use a longer 2X4 (what ever) so the lock was mounted at the same level it would be in a door. If the truth be known when picking a lock for real you most likely will not be sitting down, rather you will be sorta stooping over/bending down to reach the lock.

What I am trying to figure out is how much different it is to pick a lock comfortably sitting down with the lock on a table as opposed to the real life walking up to a door and bending over; and more to the point is it worth while to take a four foot 2X4 to mount the lock at a realistic level as opposed to using a shorter section and learn sitting at a table.

Also wonder if there are other options to mount a lock.

If you want to simulate real life picking you need to shove some mud into the key hole, mount the lock upside down, have a door frame that interferes with your tension wrench and stand in the shower with the water on while a woman and four screaming kids stands over your shoulder berating you.

[GWiens2001]

If you want to simulate real life picking you need to shove some mud into the key hole, mount the lock upside down, have a door frame that interferes with your tension wrench and stand in the shower with the water on while a woman and four screaming kids stands over your shoulder berating you.

Don't forget someone banging on the door from the inside demanding to be let out.

Gordon

[ragebot]

Gotta say this thread went downhill in a hurry. Anyone have real suggestions and not stale jokes. I doubt many beginners are picking locks in the rain.

[GWiens2001]

The legit info was in the early responses.

A small vise will securely hold the lock. Recommend getting one that can adjust the angles so you can set the lock at a comfortable angle. Or more realistic angle as mentioned by Cledry. He was not entirely joking about realistic settings for a locksmith.

If the vise you get has steel jaws you can use leather or cloth to protect the lock from scratches. I bought some aluminum with a 90 degree angle and cut two pieces to the length of my vise jaws. The aluminum is softer than the materials of most locks.

Gordon

[cledry]

As Gordon says, I wasn't entirely joking. Our company hired a chap that was a fantastic lock picker, on YouTube he was picking all sorts of difficult locks. Made it look easy. He even designed picks for a well-known company and had a huge set of beautiful picks.

We started him out at a pretty nice salary for someone that only knew how to pick locks. I say only because picking locks is a very small part of what a locksmith does. We thought though, with this guy's skill we could at least use him on lockouts and our more experienced guys could concentrate on bigger jobs.

Didn't work out. He couldn't pick out in the real world. He couldn't even pick a Brinks deadbolt or a Yale para keyway.

So I am sure there are lots of guys that can pick locks on a bench, but for a challenge try what I said. Give yourself a realistic time of 5 minutes, which is about what I give myself on an ordinary lock in the field before I choose another method of entry. If nothing else you will gain experience just in case you ever want to become a locksmith. The fellow mentioned above would have been better served by trying this out beforehand.

[GWiens2001]

And I have had a lockout where the person had accidentally locked themself in a supply closet and couldn’t get out. They had just installed the lockset - backwards, and did not have the key. So that was serious, too.

Gordon