How I did it: I started by looking at tutorials, mostly videos on youtube, and whatever articles I could find, there is a surprising amount of content on the subject.

I made my own pick out of a hacksaw blade, and used a bobby pin as a tension wrench.

I used what is called the "rake" method.

Here's how you "rake" a lock(it only works on standard locks, doorknobs, padlocks):

Inside the lock are tumblers, the goal is to tweak them in the mechanism of the lock, so that they are jammed in the open position. They will be on the side of the keyhole where the teeth of the key go.

You put the end of your tension tool(bobby pin, pen clip, whatever) in the end of the keyhole furthest from the tumblers, usually this is the top on a doorknob. You then use it to try to turn the lock. You may try to turn it the wrong way the first few times. The lock stops turning when the tumblers are in the way. By turning it you are causing the mechanism to catch the tumblers.

Now that you have it tensed, you put you pick in, and you press the tumblers towards the outside of the lock. Start at the very back of the lock, and pull the pick forward, pushing the tumblers in one or two at a time. One of them should be harder to press in, that is because the tension on the lock is gripping it. It will be the first one that stays down.

You may have to relieve some of the tension on the lock if you cannot get the stiff tumbler to move.

Then you just repeat until all the tumblers are down, (I bought padlocks, and they only had four.) When they are, the part of the lock with the keyhole in it will turn, and VIOLA!

You just picked a lock!

Resources: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkuUGOsAETw

Aug 15, 10:35PM PDT | 0 comments | 1 cheer