The Art Of Picking A Lock

The Art of Picking a Lock – How to Open the Lock without the Key

Chances are high that at least once in your life you have forgotten or lost or have a damaged key in hand and found yourself wanting answers how to open the lock. These are times when you wish you would know how to pick a line.

You can certainly call a professional locksmith in Dallas, but what if you don’t have the time to wait for a locksmith and want to do this yourself. Well, you can definitely learn how to pick a lock and by following certain tips and guides only at your comfort, which can come handy when you find yourself in similar condition in the future. So, follow our guide on how to pick and lock and keep yourself prepared if you ever need to try this method to get in:

What is Lock Picking?

In layman terms, lock picking is opening a lock without using the original key and without using causing any damage to the lock or associated items. This process is all about mimicking the original key’s function using something else.

What Lock We Will Focus On – Pin Tumbler Lock

The most basic and commonly used lock around residential properties today, and has been in use for centuries, is pin tumbler lock.

How the Lock Functions?

Before embarking on how to pick the lock, it is essential to know the lock’s mechanism. The first thing you have to remember is that there is a certain path that locks and keys follow during the locking and unlocking mechanism.

Components of Pin-Tumbler Lock:

• Housing – The outer structure holding the entire components of the lock.
• Plug – The cylinder where the key is inserted to rotate it inside the shell.
• Shear Line – Gap between the plug and the housing.
• Driver Pins – Most important part of the lock which keeps it locked. Without the use of the right key, the driver pins keep seated between housing and plug, preventing it from rotating freely.
• Springs – Push down the driver pins into the plug to keep it from freely rotating.
• Key Pins – Bottom set of the pins that are in different length to match key cut appropriately.

What Lock Picking Tools You Need?

Now, after learning the mechanism of the lock and before attempting lock picking you must arrange the appropriate lock picking tools.

• A lock pick – the best fit is the snake rake style which has extended and jagged ends that can operate on the pins like the original key.
• Torque wrench – These are also known as a tension wrench, and must be in ‘L’ shape.

Steps to Pick the Lock

1. Insert the wrench into lock’s bottom key-way and apply pressure in the unlocking direction. Be specific of the pressure you apply, don’t be too gentle or apply too much pressure. This binds the first binding pi. Remember that you will have to keep the pressure on the wrench throughout the lock picking process.
2. Take a lock pick and insert it all the way to the lock’s back.
3. Now, keep one hand to apply pressure on the wrench and with other scrubs back and forth the lock pick. Pull back and lift up gently to apply pressure on the pins. Make sure to repeat this until all the pins are bumped or set. When pins start setting at the shear line you can sense the lock plug’s rotation through a slight click vibration.
4. If after multiple times you are not getting any success, then you may probably be applying too much pressure. Start over by applying a limited amount of pressure.
5. Once all the pins are set you will sense that the plug has given and you can easily rotate it fully using the wrench.
6. That’s it; you are done picking the lock.

While it may seem easy, but it isn’t so. You need to keep practice again and again so as to become a skilled person in picking the lock. Although you have learned this skill, you must never apply this illegally and must know the laws and rules regarding this in your state. If you feel that you cannot continue with lock picking, better consult and call a professional locksmith in Dallas, or wherever you live, to come and resolve your issue.