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- OK, Folks, Here is the FAQ; my system has limited space, and I have not been
- able to post it for a while.
- -------------------------------
- FAQ File for alt.locksmithing
- Put together from postings by spike@world.std.com (Joe "Spike" Ilacqua),
- and hes@ncsu.edu (Henry Schaffer), with a major data collection effort by
- sanguish@digifix.com (Scott Anguish). Edited by hes. Translated to English
- by eliz@world.std.com (Elizabeth Lear).
- Last changed 6/16/92
- What follows are answers to some Frequently Asked Questions on
- alt.locksmithing. This FAQ does not attempt to teach you
- locksmithing, just to answer simple questions, give you some hints on
- getting started, and point you to sources of information. Also
- included is a glossary of common terms. The Appendix covers many
- supply places, books and tapes.
- Questions Answered:
- 1. Where can I get a lock pick set?
- 2. How can I make my own picks and tension wrenches?
- 3. Is it legal to carry lock picks?
- 4. Where can I get the "MIT Guide to Picking Locks"?
- 5. What books can I get on locksmithing?
- 6. What are "pick guns" or "automatic pickers" and do they work?
- 7. How do I open a Kryptonite lock?
- 8. How can I get keys stamped "DO NOT DUPLICATE" duplicated?
- 9. Do Skeleton Keys Exist?
- 10. Should I bother with high security ("pick proof") locks for my home?
- 11. What should I do after I read a book?
- 12. How do I continue learning about locksmithing?
- Glossary
- Appendix of sources, books, videotapes.
- Thanks
- 1. Where can I get a lock pick set?
- Try a locksmith supply house. Look under "Locksmiths' Equipment &
- Supplies" in the Yellow Pages. Your State or the company may have
- requirements, such as having to prove you are a locksmith or showing a
- drivers license; call and find out. Also look for mail order houses
- in the Appendix.
- 2. How can I make my own picks and tension wrenches?
- You can file or grind picks out of spring steel. It is best to use
- spring steel - sources include hacksaw blades, piano (music) wire,
- clock springs, streetsweeper bristles (which can be found along the
- street after the sweeper has passed), etc. In a pinch safety pin
- steel, or even a bobby pin (much worse) can be used. When grinding,
- keep the steel from getting so hot as to anneal (soften) it. You may
- have to re-harden/re-temper it. (See a book on knife making,
- gunsmithing, or machine shop practice for a discussion on heat
- treating steel.) Some people prefer a rigid tension wrench and just
- bend a small screwdriver for this, but many prefer a slightly flexible
- wrench and use spring steel.
- The "MIT Guide to Picking Locks" and the "Eddie The Wire" books (see
- below) cover making these tools. There are many places you can buy
- picks and tension wrenches. See the appendix.
- 3. Is it legal to carry lock picks?
- This depends on where you are. In the U.S. the common case seems to
- be that it is legal to carry potential "burglar tools" such as keys,
- picks, crowbars, jacks, bricks, etc., but use of such tools to commit
- a crime is a crime in itself. Call your local library, district
- attorney, or police department to be sure.
- Places where it *is* illegal to carry lock picks:
- The District of Columbia.
- 4. Where can I get the "MIT Guide to Picking Locks"?
- You can't. The guide must exist in an online form, but no one seems
- to have it. Rumor has it that (one of) the author(s) is aware of this
- group and is unwilling to post the guide.
- The guide is copyrighted, so scanning it in and posting would, in
- addition to violating the author's wishes, be illegal.
- 5. What books can I get on locksmithing?
- An excellent encyclopedic reference (based on reading the 1st edition
- - but people have said that the 2nd and 3rd editions carry on the
- coverage)
- The Complete Book of Locks & Locksmithing, 3rd Ed.
- C.A. Roper and Bill Phillips TAB Books
- ISBN 0-8306-3522-X (Paper) 0-8306-?522-1 (Hard)
- $18.95 (Paper) $26.95 (Hard)
- also many people think highly of:
- Eddie The Wire: How to Make Your Own Professional Lock Tools
- "Eddie The Wire" Loompanics Unlimited
- ISBN 0-685-39143-4
- 4 Volumes $20
- Your local book store should be able to order these for you. You
- can find other titles under "Locksmithing" in the Books In Print
- Subject Index, which any decent bookstore should have. Also see the
- Appendix.
- 6. What are "pick guns" or "automatic pickers" and do they work?
- A "pick gun" is a manual or powered device that uses a vibrating
- pin to try to bounce the pin tumblers so there are spaces at the shear
- line so the the plug can rotate. They are not a panacea, aren't always
- effective, and the net seems to feel that these are no substitute
- for a little skill with a pick and learning how locks work.
- 7. How do I open a Kryptonite lock?
- Easiest: If you registered your lock, call or write Kryptonite
- for a new key. Or call a local locksmith, the should be able to
- pick and re-key the lock for you.
- Easy: Get a car jack and jack it apart.
- Harder: If it doesn't have the newer brass jacket, peel back
- the plastic coating on the key end, drill out the pin that
- holds in the cylinder, remove the cylinder, open.
- Hardest: Chill the metal of the "U" with liquid Nitrogen or
- Freon, smash with hammer.
- 8. How can I get keys stamped "DO NOT DUPLICATE" duplicated?
- Some locksmiths will take the Rebok approach and "Just Do It".
- Some will even stamp "DO NOT DUPLICATE" on the copy for you.
- If that doesn't work, label the key by sticking some tape on
- the "DO NOT DUPLICATE" stamp and try again.
- 9. Do Skeleton Keys Exists?
- "Skeleton Keys" are keys ground to avoid the wards in warded locks.
- There is no analog with modern pin tumbler locks. Master keys may
- open a large set of locks, but this is designed in when the locks are
- installed.
- 10. Should I bother with high security ("pick proof") locks for my home?
- Why not? If you are installing locks, the better quality ones are
- not much more expensive, and are physically more secure (e.g., have
- hardened inserts to protect against drilling.) However, note that
- protection against picking doesn't add a large amount to your security
- since burglars almost always go the brute force route. Regardless,
- you should have a deadbolt, and check your window security.
- 11. What should I do after I read a book?
- After some reading, then the next thing is some experience. Go to
- K-Mart, buy a deadbolt lock for around $10, and take the entire thing
- apart (you'll need tools like screwdrivers, and perhaps a pair of
- pliers) to see how a pin tumbler lock works. K-Mart carries a clone
- of the Kwikset which is made to be very easy to take apart.
- (Key-in-knob locksets are both more expensive and harder to take
- apart.)
- You then can practice picking this lock by leaving out all but one
- stack of pins. This will be exceedingly easy to pick, and will mostly
- provide experience in manipulating the pick and tension wrench. Then
- put in one more pin stack and try again - feeling when one stack is
- picked and then the second one will let the cylinder move. Keep on
- adding stacks. Try picking with the curved finger, and also raking.
- 12. How do I continue learning about locksmithing?
- There are several things you can do to continue learning more about
- locks and locksmithing. One, of course, is to subscribe to a
- locksmithing magazine. Some years ago I compared the National
- Locksmith to the Locksmith Ledger and felt that the latter was a bit
- better on technical info. Call yourself a Student Locksmith, or
- perhaps a Security Consultant (surely you have given some advice to
- *somebody*!). But all this reading won't help all that much, so you
- have to continue buying various types of locks, taking them apart,
- figuring out everything about them, and installing, removing,
- modifying them. Buy some key blanks, make up a master key scheme, and
- file the keys to fit (assuming you don't have a key machine) - filing
- may take a few minutes, but it does work. Maybe buy a re-keying kit
- (kit of different size pins, with a follower) and do some re-keying
- for your family or friends (the same size pins fit, I think, the
- familiar Kwikset and Schlage pin tumbler locks) so that their
- deadbolts can be opened with their normal front door key. Or buy a
- deadbolt installation kit (hole saw plus template - I think that Black
- and Decker makes a good one, available at better building supply
- places) and put in a few deadbolts for your family and friends -
- charging them only for the material plus a couple of bucks towards the
- installation kit - and re-key the deadbolt for them, too. Buy or make
- a pick set, and use your practice locks to practice picking. Do you
- have a good locksmith supply catalog? If not, give a call to a local
- supplier, or perhaps to Kenco of Lincoln?, Nebraska (they have an 800
- number) and get their catalog - they sell lots of goodies including
- most everything I've been discussing. Help people at work who have
- been locked out of their desks or filing cabinets. Desks usually have
- wafer tumbler locks which are *much* easier to pick than pin tumbler
- locks. Filing cabinets are not as easy to pick, but are pickable
- (actually some are very easy to pick - they vary greatly) and also can
- be opened by pushing a flexible plastic ruler past the sliding drawer
- - carefully inspect some working cabinets to see what I'm talking
- about.
- Glossary:
- blank - A key that has not yet been cut to fit a lock.
- core - A removable cylinder and plug, used in a interchangeable core
- system.
- core key - A key which is used to remove a core.
- cylinder - The part of the lock in which the the pins are set and
- which contains the plug.
- cuts - The notches cut in the key to make it fit a lock.
- key way - The slot in which the key is inserted.
- master key - A key which opens a group of locks designed to match it.
- plug - The part of the lock which the key is inserted and is rotated
- by the key.
- warded lock - A lock using wards to keep an incorrect key from
- entering the key hole and turning.
- Appendix
- Here are some of the things collected about locations and
- availabilities (most are from alt.locksmithing). We do not endorse
- any of these, but feel that you can get information by reading.
- Phoenix Systems Inc. P.O. Box 3339, Evergreen, CO 80439
- 303-277-0305 [Survivalist Group, all though the "Shoot all the Commies
- for God" stuff is kept to a minimum.]
- OUR LOCK PICKS ARE THE FINEST QUALITY PROFESSIONAL TOOLS AVAILABLE.
- Each pick is made of hard-finished clock-spring steel, tempered to the
- correct degree of hardness. Whether the subject is wafer tumbler
- locks or 6 & 7 pin tumbler locks, our picks are the best available,
- and the standard of the industry. With a few minutes of practice,
- even a beginner can open most padlocks, door locks and deadbolts.
- NOTE: BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR LOCAL, AND STATE ORDINANCES GOVERNING
- POSSESSION OF THESE TOOLS.
- #604 SUPERIOR PICK SET. Hip pocket size in top grain leather case.
- Our most complete set. 32 pick, tension tools & extractors. [Picks
- seem to be from 'HPC' but I can't tell for sure.] Price: $75.00 ea.
- #606 TYRO PICK SET. An excellent choice for the beginner. Cowhide
- leather case contains 9 picks, tension wrenches & key extractor.
- [Picks seem to be from 'HPC' but I can't tell for sure.] Price: $34.95
- ea.
- #607 WARDED PADLOCK PICK SET. This 5 piece padlock pick set is made
- of the finest blue tempered spring steel. This set will pick open
- most every warded padlock made today. Price: $9.95 ea.
- #610 DOUBLE-SIDED TUMBLER LOCK PICKS. Set of 4 picks for use with
- double-sided, disc tumbler, showcase, cam and PADLOCKS. An excellent
- addition to your other pick sets. Price: $24.95 ea.
- #617 PADLOCK SHIM PICKS. Open padlocks in seconds! Our new Padlock
- Shim pick's unique design makes them so successful that it is
- frightening! Simply slide the shim down between the shackle and the
- lock housing, twist and the lock is open. Works best on laminated type
- padlocks (the most popular type) but will open ALMOST ANY TYPE OF
- PADLOCK -- INCLUDING THE POPULAR 3 NUMBER COMBINATION TYPE. Include
- 20 shims -- 5 each of the 4 most common shackle diameters for perfect
- fit every time. Comes with complete instructions. Price: $39.95 set
- #618 SCHLAGE WAFER PICK SET. There are two types of Schlage wafer
- locks, each needing a different base key to pick with. This set comes
- with both types of base keys and the pick. With the proper base key
- the lock is already half picked. Very quick and easy to use. Comes
- with complete instructions. [It looks like 2 filed down keys, and a
- straight pointy piece of metal for the pick.] Price: $34.95 set
- #620 PICK GUN. Picks locks FAST. Open locks in less than 5 seconds.
- Specifically designed for tumbler locks. Insert pick into key slot,
- then just pull trigger. Throws all pins into position at one time.
- Lock is then turned with tension bar. Used extensively by police and
- other government agencies. Gun is spring loaded, with tension
- adjustment knob. Comes with 3 needle picks and tension bar. No
- batteries necessary. Life-time guarantee. [The model name is
- "LockAim", but I can't make out the brand name.] Price: Regular $75.00
- OUR SALE PRICE $59.95 ea.
- #612 THE SLIM JIM. Car door opener. The tool does not enter inside
- the car. Opens a car door by "feel" rather then sight. With a little
- practice, car opening will be no problem. For GM, Ford and Chrysler
- cars. Made of clock-spring steel and is hand finished. Price: $16.00
- ea.
- #613 THE SUPER JIM. This tool will open most GM, Ford and AMC car
- doors. Opener does not enter vehicle. Made wider and thicker, and is
- bright nickel plated. Faster openings on most domestic automobiles.
- With illustrated instructions. Price: $16.00 ea.
- #614 HOUDINI CAR DOOR OPENER. The latest and best innovations on car
- door openers. It works the same as your old Slim Jim, except it now
- folds neatly to fit in pocket or toolbox without getting in the way.
- ONLY 6 1/2 INCHES LONG WHEN FOLDED. Open up and snaps into place like
- a fold-up ruler, excellent stainless steel constructions with vinyl
- handle for comfort. [Looks like a cross between a slim jim and a fold
- up ruler.] Price: $19.95 ea.
- #615 PRO-LOK "CAR KILLER" KIT. Over the years we have had thousands
- of requests for a multi-vehicle opening kit. We are now able to offer
- the most complete kit that we have ever seen. This kit of tools will
- open over 135 automobiles, both domestic and foreign, on the road
- today. The opening procedure for each vehicle is diagrammed and
- explained in the instruction manual. Kit comes with complete
- instruction manual and gas cap pick tool. [It's 2 slim jims, a couple
- of pieces of bent wire, one of which has a string on it, and a little
- 2 headed key. (I assume the key is for the gas cap.)] PRICE: $39.95
- ea.
- #600 TUBULAR LOCK PICK. This tool is an easy and reliable method for
- picking tubular locks, as found on commercial vending machines,
- washers, dryers, etc. This newest high tech design is much faster and
- easier to use than the old type that used rubber bands to hold the
- feeler picks. Internal neoprene "O" rings together with knurled
- collar provide a very simple and easy tension adjustment. Sturdy
- stainless steel construction provides for long-lasting service. This
- tool will, with a little practice, easily and quickly open any regular
- center-spaced tubular lock -- the most popular type of tubular lock on
- the market. Comes with complete instructions and leather carrying
- case. [A bunch of feeler picks around a tube.] Price: $129.95 ea. [
- Yipe!!! ]
- Here are a few titles: (with Library of Congress Catalog Number)
- - - ----------------------
- Title: Locksmithing
- Author: F.A. Steed
- LC Number: TS 520 S73 1982
- Title: All About Locks and Locksmithing
- Author: Max Alth
- LC Number: TS 520 A37 1972
- Title: Professional Locksmithing Techniques
- Author: Bill Phillips
- LC Number TS 520 P55 1991
- or you can buy books from (no credit cards)
- - - -----------------------------------------------------------------------
- Loompanics Unlimited | When they say unusual, they
- Publishers & Sellers of Unusual Books | mean it! Everything from
- P.O. Box 1197 | igloo construction to
- Port Townsend, WA 98368 | techniques of execution.
- - - -----------------------------------------------------------------------
- #52042 B & E: A TO Z - HOW TO GET IN ANYWHERE, ANYTIME (VHS TAPE) by
- Scott French, 1987. Nearly two full hours of on-site techniques to
- get in any building, beat any lock, open any safe, enter any car.
- Price: $59.95
- #40031 INVOLUNTARY REPOSSESSION -OR- IN THE STEAL OF THE NIGHT by John
- Russell III (64pp, 1979). Written by a private detective for auto
- repossessors. All the standard methods of entering and starting
- locked, keyless automobiles are given. Price: $10.95
- #52050 TECHNIQUES OF BURGLAR ALARM BYPASSING by Wayne B. Yeager
- (110pp, 1990). Alarms covered include: Magnetic Switches, Window
- Foil, Sound and Heat Detectors, Photoelectric Devices, Guard Dogs,
- Central Station Systems, Closed-Circuit Television, and more. Price:
- $14.95
- #52047 THE B & E BOOK - BURGLARY TECHNIQUES AND INVESTIGATION by Burt
- Rapp (149pp, 1989). This is an investigatory guide and practical
- manual designed for the police officer in charge of a burglary
- investigation and its follow-up. Price: $14.95
- #52054 TECHNIQUES OF SAFECRACKING by Wayne B. Yeager (92pp, 1990).
- Chapters include: Safe Mechanics and Operations, Guessing the
- Combination, Manipulation Techniques, Safe Drilling Methods, Punching
- and Peeling, Torches Etc., Explosives, Miscellaneous Methods of Safe
- Entry, Safe Deposit Boxes, Deterrence and Prevention, and more. Price:
- $12.00
- #52052 HIGH SPEED ENTRY - INSTANT OPENING TECHNIQUES (VHS TAPE - 1Hr)
- 1990. Topics include: the Rabbit Tool and Hydra force door openers,
- the Omni Force jam spreader, the best exothermic lance in the world,
- two tools that open almost any auto in America, electronic locksmiths,
- rippers and pullers, shove knives and re-lockers, and more "techie"
- tools. A complete source guide is included. Price: $39.95
- #52032 THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO LOCK PICKING by Eddie the Wire (80pp
- 1981). The very best book ever written on how to pick locks (quite
- the claim). Topics covered include: Basic Principle and General
- Rules, How To Mount Practice Locks, Warded Locks, Disc Tumbler Locks,
- Lever Tumbler Locks, Pin Tumbler Locks, Wafer Tumbler Locks, Lock
- Modifications To Thwart Tampering And How To Overcome Them, Various
- Other Ways Of Bypassing Locks And Locking Mechanisms. Price: $14.95
- #52040 HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN PROFESSIONAL LOCK TOOLS (4 Volume set) by
- Eddie the Wire (31pp, 1980; 50pp 1981; 44pp, 1981; 55pp, 1986).
- Basically this set describes how to make all the tools mentioned the
- above book along with mass production techniques, carrying cases,
- using a PC to generate pick profiles, making "soft" break-ins, how to
- "case" a subdivision, and more. Price: $20.00
- #52044 PERSONAL PICKS (VHS TAPE - 72min) by Eddie the Wire, 1988.
- Demonstrates the step-by-step process of making lock tools in the home
- workshop. Price: $29.95
- #52051 EXPERT LOCK PICKING (VHS TAPE - 60min) by Ron Reed, 1990. The
- author has won the California Locksmiths Association lock-picking
- championship (I guess that's good). Uses specially designed cutaway,
- see-through locks, so you can view the inside mechanisms of working
- locks as they respond to picking techniques. Price: $59.95
- #52048 ADVANCED LOCK PICKING by Steven M. Hampton (50pp, 1989).
- Describes the inner workings of the new high-security locks and
- includes templates for making custom tools. Schematic diagrams for
- portable electronic picks to open magnetic key and card locks. Tips
- on enhancing finger sensitivity, concentration power, constructing
- practice lock boxes, and more. Price: $10.00
- #52045 CIA FIELD-EXPEDIENT KEY CASTING MANUAL (48pp, 1988). How to
- make a duplicate key when you can keep the original only a short time.
- Price: $8.00
- #52043 HOW I STEAL CARS - A REPO MAN'S GUIDE TO CAR THIEVES' SECRETS
- (VHS TAPE - 45min) by Pierre Smith, 1988. How to open and enter
- practically any modern automobile and how to start them without the
- key. Price: $49.95
- #52016 HOW TO FIT KEYS BY IMPRESSIONING by Desert Publications (26pp,
- 1975). Subjects covered include: Fitting bit keys, Fitting flat steel
- keys, Fitting lever tumbler keys, Fitting disc tumbler keys, Necessary
- tools, Techniques of obtaining impressions, and more. Price: $7.00
- Thanks
- The following have contributed to this FAQ:
- Scott Anguish <sanguish@digifix.com>
- J. James (Jim) Belonis II <manager@dirac.phys.washington.edu>
- Joe Ilacqua <spike@world.std.com>
- Elizabeth Lear <eliz@world.std.com>
- Larry Margolis <margoli@watson.ibm.com>
- Henry Schaffer <hes@ncsu.edu>
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