11/26/12

 

Lock Picking 101

Part Two

Why Some Locks are Unpickable

       There are however some factors that have the potential for making a lock unpickable. One of these factors would be the existence of a side bar device. This device prohibits the cylinder plug from turning until all the pins are aligned. Sidebars are commonly found in Medeco, ASSA, Primus and other High-Security lock cylinders. These locks are commonly considered “unpickable” by conventional means.

      Another factor is keyway milling, if the keyway is of a complex design it often makes it difficult to freely move the picks up and down in the plug making it difficult if not impossible to pick the lock. Also the cut difference in the key could make the lock unpickable. If there is an extreme variation between two of the cuts on the key, a very deep cut next to a very shallow cut, it can be very difficult to pick both chambers without loosing the shearline in one or both chambers.

       Specially designed top pins or pick-resistant pins are another factor that can make a lock unpickable. These pins have been specially shaped to catch on the shearline when you apply rotational tension. There are several shapes that are used, but each pin design accomplishes the same result.

The Goal of Picking

      Obviously in broad terms the goal of picking a lock is to open it. To be more specific the goal of picking is to lift the pins to same height the key would, there by aligning all the pins along the shearline allowing the cylinder to turn.

       The first thing I like to do and I think most locksmith do in lockout situations is to lubricate the cylinder with a spray type lubricant. This will free the pins and clean the keyway. The better the lock operates the easier it will pick, remember you cannot pick a non-functioning lock. You should test the pin stacks and make sure they all move up and down. You also need to know how many sets of pins are in the lock so you know how many pin stacks you have to pick; most locks have five or six chambers.

       To test the pin stacks; insert a pick upside down into the lock and push it to the back of the cylinder until the tip stops at the back of the plug. Lift the pins as high as possible and quickly draw the pick out. All the pins should drop freely. To count the chambers re-insert the pick upside down into the keyway of the cylinder lift the pins as high as possible and listen as you draw the pick out slowly. Allow the pins to drop one at a time. Count each pin stack as they drop.

      Now that you have determined that the lock is functional and how many chambers must be picked you can begin to manipulate the pins in order to align all the pins along the shearline allowing the cylinder to turn freely.

(Continued in Part Two)