turning hard deadbolts or any lock for that matter

[Guesss]

So i can pick locks (sometimes) but i am curious as to what to use to turn stubborn locks after i pick them. you know how you really have to bear on some keys to open a lock.... well i don't think that would work yo well on my tension wrenches cause they are hack saw blades and street bristles. i think that would not work for those at all.

let me know what every one thinks or what you use.

[Kayvon]

I typically use an old key that I don't care about. For instance, I bought a cheap padlock to practice my picking and it came with two keys, so after I've picked the lock, I'll use the extra key to twist the cylinder. If it breaks, who cares? Of course, you've got to make sure it doesn't actually break [i]in[/in] the keyway, or you've just made more work for yourself.

[stick]

Screwdriver, plain and simple.

[noctorum]

You could also purchase a high quality wrench, but buy it seperately from a set to keep it cheap.

If that's not possible, just use a flathead screwdriver.

[Kayvon]

A screwdriver would be better than what I suggested. I just don't carry one around with me all the time. That'd be something to stick in my kit, though.

[stick]

A small eyeglass screwdriver would fit in pretty much any set of picks. The problem with the key is that different keyways would prevent you from using it.

[raimundo]

First, lift up on the doorknob, the building has settled and the weight of the door is resting on the bolt. use a smally straight blade screwdriver to turn the cylinder after its picked.

[capt.dunc]

sometimes an ill fitting lock is the problem, bad fit in the first place or the door has swollen, shrunk with the weather etc. ask whoever owns the door if they've had any problems, i've found many a door that requires a pull on the handle to shut the lock and the owner knows this is the case. with lever locks this stiffness can be a problem whilst you're picking. for a push use your foot at the base of the door or a small shoulder crutch to lean against the door (a hammer does the trick), for a pull i use a big loop of climbing tape around myself and the handle, or round a nail as a T bar in the letterbox and lean backwards gently. also make yourself as wide and thick a tension wrench as will fit most picked cylinders you deal with, and give it a nice long leg for going in the keyway, 3 or 4 pins deep.

[Guesss]

I thought of the screw driver answer after i posted dumb me. but thank you all for the help. and Capt i also like your idea about a long insert on the tension wrench i will have to make me some of those. They would just be a good idea to have anyway, it could change the pin binding sequence and make them easier or harder to pick as well.


After i thought about it anthing with a hard shaft (oh that sounds dirty) would work as long as you can fit it in the key way. All you need the wrench for is to start the cylinder to swing and then could insert the heavier wrench.

As always great advice and i thank everyone.

[CaptHook]

Screwdriver, plain and simple.

Bingo.
Chuck

[moeburn]

When my tension wrench isn't strong enough to turn the lock, I have a backup wrench that is a heavy allen-key with the edge ground down to be shaped like a flat-head screwdriver. Not the huge profile of a screwdriver, but all the benefit.