turning a picked lock without a plug spinner

[vector40]

er... thanks, fix.

[Chrispy]

[robert-e]

Looks as if the thread wandered in another direction (spinners). To get back to the subject, --- find a roll or spool of cotton string approximatly the size (diameter) of the strings that are on your repair tags (if you follow me) and when the need arises, stuff the string into the picked lock in one single strand leaving some out so you can pull it out after you turn the plug to the open position. This will bind the pins or wafers in their picked positions and allow turning of the plug to anywhere you want. I suggest that you use a hook pick to do the stuffing and don't be afraid to stuff it tight. Then simply turn the plug to open the lock and remove the string and you're done. This has worked for me hundreds of times in the past 20 some odd years.

[TypicalNuser]

Being fairly new to the game and still discovering the tools of the trade, oh about 4 months ago I read a few threads on plug spinners and their purposes.
Perfect, I thought, looks like something that might be very important someday but can I try this using an alternative method? I knew I needed to move the plug fast enough to overcome the tension of the springs. I tried hooking a rubber band on the end of a tension wrench or just plain tapping the tension wrench quickly but gently.
Unsuccessful. Okay I accepted my abilities and was going to bite the bullet and purchase an actual plug spinner.
After reading raimundo’s and robert-e’s posts I’m pretty excited and can’t wait to give this a try.
I think this is one of those “mmm so that’s why professionals are called professionals”

[fozzie99]

Hi,
New here but have been picking since grade school 35years+.
Stuffing string into a lock to allow you to turn plug backwards has been around since before I started but use waxed dental floss packs tight easy to remove.

[TypicalNuser]

Thanks Fozzie99, I was trying to find twine that had a tight enough weave that wouldn't "unwind" and get caught around the pins.

[fozzie99]

Hi,

I lived on Kauai and Oahu For almost 8 years. Only place I've lived I miss.

[TypicalNuser]

Funny you should mention that, most of the time I'm worrying about what everyone worries about at my age (bills, job and family) so you take for granted the things that come common or are familiar to you.

Except Today... we were "sort of" working at one of our sites located on the South side of the island where we had a beautiful view of the white sandy beaches and the clear blue ocean. The skies were blue and we had a cool breeze blowing. - pretty much perfect -

That's when you realize "Lucky you Live Hawaii"

[ufd538]

first, string unwinding around pins should not really be a concern I would think.

Second, another reason to use a spinner would be this:

Sometimes the way the door and lock sits in the frame makes it hard to position the tension wrench certain ways. I.E. door sits deep in frame, and lock sits close to frame.

Sometimes easier to pick wrong way rather than to take time to bend tension wrench a little and get it positioned just right. Of course you could just postion the tension wrench in top of keyway to turn it the right way, but sometimes it is just a pain.

I did have my pen like spinner from southord get out of whack one time...same thing as A1 spinnakur, luckily I had the simple but nice black southord A5 spinner in the van, which coincidentally enough A1 makes one too. Also this incident is another good reason for spinners, as it was a rental repossesion, and I have to relock the door when the rental company gets their stuff. Nice and easy to relock with a spinner.

[MasterKey905]

Hey guys this is really easy..........take dental floss and pack the keyway till it's full........spin the plug and use your pick to get the dental floss out and away you go..........I know....I know I'm brilliant right???......pro locksmith tip just 4 u!!!

[Chrispy]

Hey guys this is really easy..........take dental floss and pack the keyway till it's full........spin the plug and use your pick to get the dental floss out and away you go..........I know....I know I'm brilliant right???......pro locksmith tip just 4 u!!!

[Buggs41]

Here's a tip to show how smart I really are,

Pack the lock with waxed MINT flavored dental floss. Then use your pick to pull it out when done.

[TOWCH]

That's actually a really cool trick. I think I'm going to start carrying dental floss and picking locks the wrong way just to get MacGyver props without the hassle of using paperclips and a lighter.

[Mad Mick]

Here's a tip, to show you all, that you are not worthy to be in my superior presence...

take dental floss and pack the keyway till it's full........spin the plug and just pull on the dental floss container to remove it.

Now, bow down before me and say 100 times "I am not worthy to witness your existence!"

Go pleb! You are excused...

[Chrispy]

I am not worthy to witness your existence
I am not worthy to witness your existence
I am not worthy to witness your existence
I am not worthy to witness your existence
I am not worthy to witness your existence
I am not worthy to witness your existence
I am not worthy to witness your existence
I am not worthy to witness your existence
I am not worthy to witness your existence
I am not worthy to witness your existence
I am not worthy to witness your existence
I am not worthy to witness your existence
I am not worthy to witness your existence
I am not worthy to witness your existence
I am not worthy to witness your existence
I am not worthy to witness your existence
I am not worthy to witness your existence
I am not worthy to witness your existence
I am not....... going to do this anymore......