by skeleton_keys » 17 Jul 2003 14:03
Yeah, paper clips are best for picking weaker locks like filing cabinets and so forth, but that doesn't mean they can't be used for deadbolts and stronger locks. I've done it many times when trying to teach people how to pick, but I don't happen to have my regular picks on me.
Get two paper clips of a good size. Not the jumbo ones, because they'll be too big to fit in the lock or not give you enough room to pick properly. You just want to make sure they're not so thin and tiny that they'll bend too easily. Take the first paper clip, this will become your pick. Bend back the outermost arm of the clip so it makes a straight line, like this:
________________________
/ _________
\___________)
You use the still-bent end as a grip, and the straightened end as your pick.
Now to turn the other clip into your tension wrench. Once again, bend the outermost arm until it's straight, like you did with the pick. But then bend it back halfway, bringing it down against itself, like this:
____________
____________) <-- Should be as flat as possible
/ ________
\___________)
Text graphics aren't too good to show this, but that loop you just made should be squished as flat as possible, because it has to fit into the bottom of the keyway and give you as much room to pick as you can get. Squash it with pliers if you have to. Now, bend out the lower part of the clip, leaving the whole thing shaped like a 90 degree angle.
========== <-- Pretend it's a squished loop. :)
/
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
\/
Insert the flattened loop into the keyway, and use the bottom part as the handle. Apply gentle pressure like you would to a normal tension wrench, and insert your pick. Use the long end of the pick to rake the pins, and with luck you should be able to get it. The picking becomes slightly trickier, because you have less pick to hold on to, but it's still very possible with practice.
I hope this helps, and if you have any other questions, feel free to e-mail or IM me! Happy picking!
