Not as much fun as I thought it would be

[petemoss]

So I picked up some bump keys. It seemed like it would be fun to play with and might be a neat skill to have in one's bag of tricks. I have a Kwikset deadbolt in the door that goes to the stairwell to my basement. We have literally never locked that door in the fifteen years that we have lived here, so I figured "why not".

After messing with this for quite a while, both with bare keys and with castration rings, I have learned that I can't do this. I was going to ask for some pointers. However, after thinking about it, I'm not sure that I really care about bumping that much right now. I think I'm going to go back to working on my picking.

-Petemoss

[billdeserthills]

Picking or bumping old, unused locks can be very difficult. I have been mostly unsuccessful in my bumping efforts as well, however the last time I ordered bump accessories I received some thick o rings like these https://www.amazon.com/Elastrator-Castr ... B00JPNZJFY
and using them in front of the key's shoulder has helped in my success with bumping, at least well enough that I've been able to bump open Kwikset & Schlage F series cylinders

[petemoss]

Thanks billdeserthills,

Yeah, I suppose that the lock itself may be somewhat to blame, since like you point out it is kind of dry and stiff. Maybe some lube is in order.

I think those are the same castration rings that I have (except mine are green). I bought them at a Tractor Supply store. I tried one of them and it didn't seem to spring back out enough. I tried two of them and it seemed to require too much force to compress them.

I have mostly moved on from playing around with it, but your though on lock condition was a good one. I'll try some lube and give it one more go.

Thanks,
Petemoss

[karovamilkbar]

gotta gotta gotta use lube in old locks when bumping. im 50/50 in old locks with my bumping, pretty much 8/10 on all the emtek and schlage displays in the shop that stay inside and dont get used at all. theres a big difference between brand new locks and old dirty dry ones. use some houdini, lock shot or teflon based lube and try again. bumping is pretty fun once you get the hang of it. i could never get bump keys to work either in the 10 or so years ive been picking. just started working in the field so i figured id give bumping a try again and out of nowhere started being able to bump easily.

check out this webinar, this guys a wealth of bumping info.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXv_ZbVuQpM

cheers!

[petemoss]

Thanks for the tip KMB. It's been a while since I've tried, but I have some Houdini, so I'll give it a shot. Thanks for the link too.

[stratmando]

Try adjusting timing of turning after striking, and amount of tension
Fun when it works, no fun when it doesn't.
Had an Emergency Lockout, didn't have tools I wanted to use, I do Mostly Electrical/Electronic work, used about a 6" piece of PVC with a Schlage bump key. Worked amazingly well. Still go to Picking first, usually works.

[petemoss]

Thanks strat. Yeah, I tried all soft of combinations of stuff, timing to turn, initial pressure, o-ring, no o-ring, strike force, you name it. I think I just suck at it to be honest. Haha. Thanks again.

[billdeserthills]

Thanks strat. Yeah, I tried all soft of combinations of stuff, timing to turn, initial pressure, o-ring, no o-ring, strike force, you name it. I think I just suck at it to be honest. Haha. Thanks again.

I feel the same way, if I can't pick a lock to gain entry I used to get my bumpkeys but I don't even bother anymore because they never work for me anyhow. Nowadays I just bust it open if it won't pick--clients don't wanna stand there waiting when it's so hot outside

[cledry]

Bump keys work for me about 80% of the time. Weight of the bump hammer and speed of strike seem to be crucial to success.

[petemoss]

Now you're just braggin'.

[Pickit Fence]

Like the OP, I'm having a tough time in bumping locks. When I see it demonstrated in videos, the demonstrator makes it seem so easy. I'm having a devil of a time and 'm uncertain what I'm doing wrong.

[billdeserthills]

After trying bump keys & the rubber ring & still only succeeding in opening kwikset type locks I gave it up. If I can't pick it then it's power tool special time cause I'll be on a job. I can't have my client waiting for me for too long, that would make me look bad.

I only ever tried bump keys cause on one job I was unable to pick open a newish schlage deadbolt & the client wouldn't let me bust it open so I lost money on the job because I won't charge a fee if I can't help my client--

Dad always said to keep the bad taste out of your customer's mouth, anyway I would rather walk away without pay if it's going to make the client mad

[stratmando]

Bump keys work for me about 80% of the time. Weight of the bump hammer and speed of strike seem to be crucial to success.

As far as the weight of a bump hammer, Had OK from owner to get in, Didn't have a bump hammer, used a 6" piece of 1/2" PVC Pipe. Worked like charm.
Made me think of the 5 pendulum balls, drop one bounces out the the other side, swing 2, an 2 go out other side. Don't understand how it works, but proves
Every Action has an Equal and opposite reaction.
May be unrelated, but that thought came to mind.
It worked?