Can you pick locks?

[Seven]

We moved into our new office this weekend. The last company there installed two alarm systems, one in the main office and one in the remote office.

Because their phone lines were disconnected the keypads kept beeping, and beeping, and beeping.

I figured this was the case so I told my boss I can take care of that until the alarm guy shows up in a couple of days. I said I'll just pull the power and disconnect the battery.

"Sure, go ahead." they said.

I get to the first alarm panel and find it's locked (go figure). I went back to the boss to see if the office had a key to it. Nope. No key. "No problem" I said. I ask for a paperclip and head back to the panel.

It took me about 45 seconds to pick the lock, pull the battery and unscrew the terminal for the power supply on the first system. The second took a little less time (because it wasn't under a counter). Within two minutes I'm back at my desk.

There is nothing you can't do if you have a paperclip and a Leatherman

The boss comes up not long after and asked what we need to do with the alarm system to get it to stop going beep-beep every 15 minutes. I said "no worries, it's done. I picked the lock and pulled the power"

The expression on her face when I said I picked the lock was, well, not very inviting. Almost like picking a lock is a skill only bad cat burgler types have. Someone else reminded her my resume has two listings for security companies (locksmiths, alarm systems, etc)

She did a 180 "oh yeah, I forgot about that".

I decided it wasn't the best time to tell her that ISN'T where I learned how to pick a lock. heh heh

This is the first time anyone acted weird about it. Most people think it's kind of a cool skill to have and always want me to teach them how.

So, who else here knows how to do this. Have you ever picked one for a legal reason and get weird reactions?

[Q.E.D.]

Yep. I taught myself how, mostly out of boredom. I can do most common types, but I only used this skill once for any truly useful purpose: to get a neighbor back in her apartment after she locked herself out. Heh. Some (read: cheap) locks can be picked with just a paper clip, but for most you need a tension wrench in addition, and finding something suitable for that purpose on the spot can often be rather challenging, to say the least.

[Seven]

Originally Posted by Q.E.D.

but for most you need a tension wrench in addition,

That is where the Leatherman comes into play

[rkmasex2]

i've tried to teach myself lock picking, and have learned the following:

on most locks, you need two tools - a "scraper" to scrape the tumblers, and something to turn the actual lock at the same time.

am i way off?
this would explain why i've never been successful.

[Scissorjack]

I can pick simple padlocks with a thin nail file, given time and patience, but when it comes to busting into cars with a bent coathanger, I'm an ace {of course, I'm sworn to use my powers only for good} - I once so impressed a total stranger who'd locked her keys in her car outside my apartment late one night that I got laid on the strength of it. God, I felt like James Bond.

[duffer]

In 2001 at a truck stop in Idaho (on a reservation off I-15 if anyone knows the area) I learned, out of neccessity, how to pick the lock of a 2000 Volvo 660 rig. A very proud moment for me as I could only get my hands on a piece of aluminum siding and a pocket knife.

No, I'm not telling anyone how to do it, as truckers keep some high-end EQ in the cab, but it's incredibly easy if you know the trick to it.

[Tomcat]

Yeah, I taught myself the basics a long time ago. I used to use those pieces of metal that you find in the road from street sweepers. Thin and strong. I then got into magic and got taught how to use some of the professional tools. Fun, helpful occasionally.

I was REALLY good at breaking into cars though. I worked as a lot man at a Toyota dealership in Denver. Mostly a slim-jim, but some cars are ridiculously easy to open with anything. Hyundai's were cake. Slide a pocket knife blade straight down the window in front of the lock and *click* it was open. I've opened cars for police before- someone locked their keys in and the cops couldn't do it. I opened it in about 4 seconds...boy, did they give me a look! Luckily I had my work shirt in my car and told them what I did.

-Tcat

[Jurph]

I worked in an office that handled some sensitive papers once, and all of the drawers we used for certain documents needed to be able to lock and unlock. The previous occupant of my cubicle had retired, and everyone kept telling me I needed to look at a particular paper he'd written -- but nobody had a copy. I had keys to all of my drawers, which were keyed to two lock-types (e.g., the face of the keyhole was engraved "C1221" and "C1219"). His one archive drawer was keyed to an obscure key nobody had -- call it C1220. And he had been the office security manager until his retirement, so nobody knew where the key was.

So I went at it with a pair of bent paperclips. A few minutes later... click! I opened the drawer, laid a strip of tape over the latch and keyhole to keep it from being locked again, and found the paper I needed.

A few days later I mentioned an insight I'd had on the paper to my cube-mate. She asked me where I got a copy and I said "Oh, it was in Paul's drawer." She said, "Where'd you get a 1220 key?" and I said, "Oh, nobody could tell me where to get a 1220, so I just picked the lock." She had the classic face. First thing she said was "Ohmygod, SSSSSSSssssshhh!!! Don't tell anyone you did that. You could get in a lot of trouble!" (So what do I do? I brag about it on the internet. Smart.)

Then a week later she asked if she could look around in the drawer for another paper she had wanted to read for a few months.

[pulykamell]

I could do most warded padlocks easily with a paperclip. I had a similar experience as you. I had locked myself out of a photo supply cabinet which was secured by a Master warded padlock, and my boss had called over somebody to cut the locks. After a half-hour passed, I got impatient, bent a paperclip into a tight "L" and popped open the lock in about 10 seconds. Went over to the boss to tell her I had opened the lock with a paperclip, and she gave me a look probably not disimilar to the one you got.

As for pin-tumbler locks, it's usually more trouble than it's worth. I could do a three-pin lock fairly quickly, but with five pins? Forget about it. And certainly not with a paperclip. The paperclips are far too big and cumbersome for me to have any agility in picking a pintumbler lock. If you can pick a 5-pin-tubler with a paperclip and leatherman, I have the greatest respect for you.

Master combo locks were also my specialty. One day, freshman year in college, I was bored and bought three locks. Pulled on the shackle, varied the tension, turned the dial until I found I way to always lock on the middle number. Once you get that middle number, the rest is easy. (Later on, I found instruction on the internet how to break into Master combo locks, but those directions invariably never worked.) Worn locks were a bit more tricky to get into. Anyhow, the skill did come in useful, once again, when I needed to get into another camera locker to get some photo equipment required for a shoot. I broke through four Master locks in ten minutes before I found the right locker.

[Phatlewt]

I've always thought this would be a fun skill to teach one's self. Does anyone have a recommendation for a good book or website if I wanted to learn how to pick simple locks? (for legal purposes only, of course.)

[Chefguy]

Originally Posted by Case Sensitive

I can pick simple padlocks with a thin nail file, given time and patience, ...

Most padlocks are most easily broken into using a couple of open-end wrenches and simple leverage. The more hurky security padlocks are not going to be opened in this fashion, but your average Master lock can be.

I had formal training in breaking into safe files (the ones with combination locks on them) and other types of locks. One of the better depictions of doing this is shown in the movie "Panic Room". Contrary to most movies, it is impossible to use a stethoscope or other listening device to open dial locks. More modern safe locks are electronic, so my skills are out of date.

Picking a keyed lock is more difficult than is normally depicted. It takes patience and practice, and if it's a Medico lock, forget it.

[DeadlyAccurate]

Originally Posted by Phatlewt

I've always thought this would be a fun skill to teach one's self. Does anyone have a recommendation for a good book or website if I wanted to learn how to pick simple locks? (for legal purposes only, of course.)

I was researching lockpicking and homemade lockpicks for my last novel and found a wonderfully informative message board on the subject. It's called, not surprisingly, Lock Picking 101. (Google it.)

A few interesting notes: it's not illegal in the US to own lock picks, but it is apparently illegal (or at least unwise) to carry them around.

I wouldn't mind learning how to pick locks, but I don't really have the patience to learn.

[DeadlyAccurate]

Oops, should add that laws vary by states/counties/towns/etc. It might be illegal in your area to own burglary tools without a special license or permit.

[pulykamell]

Originally Posted by Phatlewt

I've always thought this would be a fun skill to teach one's self. Does anyone have a recommendation for a good book or website if I wanted to learn how to pick simple locks? (for legal purposes only, of course.)

The MIT Guide to Lockpicking is pretty much the standard internet resource on the subject. Google for it. Otherwise, I learned simply by going to the library and taking out some books on locksmithing.

[Q.E.D.]

Originally Posted by rkmasex2

on most locks, you need two tools - a "scraper" to scrape the tumblers, and something to turn the actual lock at the same time.

That's correct. What you call the "scraper" is properly called a pick, and the other tool is called a tension wrench. On some cheap locks, the tension wrench and the pick can actually be the same tool; i.e. a nail file or similar tool. So, you're on the right track. That's about all the information I can give you here, but the web is full of useful instruction. The rest is purely practice.

[CynicalGabe]

I also posess The Knowledge. Also self taught. Many moons ago when I graduated High School, I found an honest-to-god bobby pin on the sidewalk. Feeling the need to impress some ladies I was hanging out with, I prompty filed it down on a concrete bench into a serviceable shim and proceeded to walk down the line of lockers at the school, popping off combo locks one after another. I probably did a good dozen or so before getting scolded by the janitor (school was out and he wanted to search the abandonded lockers for left-behind goodies himself).

[Chefguy]

Originally Posted by DeadlyAccurate

I was researching lockpicking and homemade lockpicks for my last novel and found a wonderfully informative message board on the subject. It's called, not surprisingly, Lock Picking 101. (Google it.)

A few interesting notes: it's not illegal in the US to own lock picks, but it is apparently illegal (or at least unwise) to carry them around.

I wouldn't mind learning how to pick locks, but I don't really have the patience to learn.

Picking a lock is a waste of time in many cases, since if the key is lost, you're going to replace the lock anyway (at least in the security business). We were taught more about drilling techniques than picking techniques. If you know where the mounting bolts are (among other things), getting past most locks is a breeze.

[Bill H.]

Q.E.D. wrote

That's correct. What you call the "scraper" is properly called a pick

True, but to be precise, what rkmasex2 calls a "scraper" is a "rake". Raking is one technique to pick a lock, typically the first technique attempted, because it can be quick.

Any of the implements that are used to manipulate the pins are called "picks", but when you say "hand me the pick", what you typically mean is a specific type of pick, one which is used to manipulate one pin at a time.

These two techniques are commonly (and not surprisingly) called "raking" and "picking".

[av8rmike]

Oh, the things one learns in college. And, the things you can buy out of mail-order catalogs.

I, too, have only used my "knowledge" for good. Occasionally for awesome.

[DanBlather]

Originally Posted by Tomcat

Yeah, I taught myself the basics a long time ago. I used to use those pieces of metal that you find in the road from street sweepers.
-Tcat

That's how I was taught. The only problem is that after you heat up one of them to bend into the the tension wrench it loses its springiness and breaks easily. I suppose there is a way to re-temper it.

What amaed me is how easy it was to pick locks. Wy bother with a key.

[Seven]

Originally Posted by DanBlather

What amaed me is how easy it was to pick locks. Wy bother with a key.

That is the weird thing. Some locks are harder then others, some are a piece of cake. The skill of picking a lock, one would think, would be more widespread as the basics are simple. One of the reasons I started this thread is to see how many other people can do it. Not one other person in my office had a clue where to start if they were to attempt it.

Take my case in the OP. It was less then a minute to entirely disable an alarm system. I'm sure if I practiced I could bring that time down by half (cat burgler isn't my line of work so I don't need to bring my time down). Even still, 45 seconds is MORE then enough time to disable an active system with an entry delay. Whats better, the phone jack for the panel was right next to it. Any average cat burgler type could just unplug the phone line if they were a bit slow and the siren went off.

Inside the panel door was a sticker with the panels diagram and a book on the alarm panel and keypad. WHAT? That's security? Once I got the panel door open I had a pretty picture showing me just which wire to yank. Nice job Protection One.

Granted, I was in the security business for several years so I have a better understanding on systems then my mom or Joe Average. Even still anyone who can hook up a hi-fi could disable an alarm system if there is a pretty picture right next to it.

It is interesting how many people have this false sence of security just because something is locked up or alarmed - or both.

[Czarcasm]

It's also interesting how many Dopers don't understand that we might not want to allow a thread telling people how to pick locks.

Lockdown.