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A locksport primer
locksport international bringsyou A Brief introduction tolock picking
learn to pick locks with a visualstep-by-step guide
to learn more visitwww.locksport.com
copyright notice: This document may be freely
distributed in its original format. thisdocument may not, at any time, be offered forsale.
Written and compiled by Paul wragg and Joshnekrep for locksport international
learn how to re-pina lock, make tools,and more!
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table of contents:
1. Introducing LI ........................1.2. How Locks work......................2
3. re-pinning a lock....................4
4. the pencil trick.......................8
5. mechanical defects.................9
6. applying tension...................10
7. the binding effect..................11
7. possible pin states................12
8. a brief intro to tool making..13
9. where to get more info ........17
10. why get invloved with LI .....18
11. LIMembership Application ..19
www.locksport.com
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INtroducing Locksport International
From all of us at Locksport International, I'd like to thank youfor picking up this guide. We hope you will find it helpful asyou take on the new challenge of learning to pick locks. Butfirst, allow me to tell you a little about LI.
In early spring of 2005 Josh Nekrep (digital_blue onlockpicking101.com) approached Kim Bohnet (Varjeal, site
administrator on lockpicking101.com) with the idea of startinga club with the purpose of bringing lockpicking enthusiaststogether and promoting the sport/hobby with face-to-faceinteraction. At the time there were a couple large regionalclubs (SSDeV in Germany and TOOOL in The Netherlands) butthere was no broad-based club. Kim and Josh saw a need foran organization that would be open to members all over theworld and set about making it happen. It was felt that it would
be easier and more efective for individuals to start a local lockpicking club if much of the groundwork werealready laid for them, and if they had the opportunity to share resources with other associated clubs. Kimand Josh quickly recruited Devon McDormand (frostbyte on lockpicking101.com) to sit as Treasurer. Aftermuch discussion (5 minute conversation on MSN) it was decided that Kim would act as President of theassociation and Josh would take the role of Administrative Director. The term Locksports was adopted as ameans of distinguishing what hobby/sport lockpicking enthusiasts do from what locksmiths do. The threefounding members set about laying the foundation for what they hoped would someday be a largeorganization. A short time later, Matt Fiddler and Doug Farre were brought on to sit on the board ofdirectors. Since then, LI has worked to bring locksport enthusiasts together. As individuals come forward topioneer locksport groups in their area, LI continues to grow and organize.
Locksport is a fun, challenging hobby, and one that is gaining ground around the world. Members gathertogether to learn from each other, share tools and locks, research security vulnerabilities, and most of all,have fun!
If you are interested in starting an LI chapter in your area, see the "How To Get involved With LI" section atthe back of this guide.
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You may only pick locks that you own, orthose to which you've been given explicitpermission to pick by the rightful owner
locksport is an honest, ethical, and legitimate hobby. unfortunately, the wholeworld hasn't figured that out yet (though we're working on it!). because the layperson has a tendency to perceive what we do as somehow nefarious, it is extraimportant that we commit to following a strict code of ethics. for this reason,the above credo is non-negotiable in the locksport community. lock pickingshould never, ever be used to illegal or even questionable purposes.
please do not misuse this information. we assume no responsibility for youractions, and in no way condone immoral activity.help keep locksport fun for allby following strictly the one rule.
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THE SHELL(upsidedown)
HOW A LOCK WORKSA pin tumbler Lock is composedof several basic components.the outer casing is called the
shell. inside a shell is a plug.the plug has a keyway - the slot
where the key goes in - and thewhole thing has a series of pin
chambers.
theplug
The KEyPins
the key
hmm... thisisn't so
hard!
an unmounted(uninstalled) lock
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thespring
the driverpin (toppin)
the key pin(bottom
pin)
this is a lock inlocked position (atrest). driver pins
block the rotationof the plug
the bible is thearea of
chambers abovethe shear line
the shear line is theline where the top ofthe plug meets the
shell
a combinationof a key pin,
driver pin, andspring is
called a pinstack
a little morecomplicated,
but I think I'mgetting it!
the guts of a lock
nteresting fact:
odern locks were
nvented by linusyale jr. in 1861,though the basicesign conceptsate back to around000 bc. yale'sesign has remainedargely unchangedince 1861 and is theundamentalrincipal upon whichearly all pin
tumbler locks worktoday.
this is alock in the
unlockedposition.
driver pinsrest abovethe shear
line
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CAUTION!removal of the plugwill cause pins and
springs to come outrather violently.don't get ahead!
locate thecirclip at theback of the
plug
remove thecirclip with
a set ofcirclip
pliers, or asmall flat
screwdriver
the circlipholds the
plug inplace.
however,even with
the circlipremovedthe plugwill notcome outbecausethe pinsare stillblocking
theremovalof theplug
in order toremove the plug,
the pin stacksmust all be liftedto the shear line.this can be donewith the correct
key, by picking thelock, or with athin metal shim
re-pinning a lock
with the key installed, andthe circlip removed, the plugis free to be removed from
the shell
SPROING!
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these are shims.they are available
through manylocksmith supply
stores
insert a blankkey into the
lock, then beginto slide the shim
in from theback.as the shim
contacts thefirst key pin,
slowly removethe key blank
one pin positionallowing the key
pin to slidedown and theshim to enter
the spacebetween the keyand driver pin.
repeat theprocess for each
pin position,moving the shimfarther into thelock each time
once completed,your shim will be
fully insertedinto the lockand all the
driver pins willbe stuck above
the shear line.you are nowable to removethe plug, butdon't do that
yet! see the nextpage first!
using a shim toremove the plug
interesting fact:
shims can be madeusing automotivefeeler gauges. justfind the thicknessthat fits and cut
down to size.before cutting, youmay wish to put thecurl in the shim by
wrapping it tightlyaround a pen.
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in order to remove the plug, you will need a plugfollower. these can be purchased, or made fromwooden dowel. there are a variety of plug diameters,
so you will need a variety of plug followers.however, the most common size for locks in north
america is 1/2 inch.
the purpose of the plug follower is to replace theplug, trapping the driver pins in the bible of the lock.
the plug follower must be inserted from the back ofthe lock, and pushed forward to push the plug out
the front of the lock.
You're now free to change the key pins in the plug!
when removing the plug, be surethat you turn the plug 45 degrees
before sliding it out, and make sure
the plug is upright or else you willdrop key pins!
clink!
removing the plug
oh... i just knowI'm gonna mess
this part up
oh probably,the first
time
changing the key pins
in a pinch,you can usealmostanything asa plugfollower,so long asit fits well
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changing the driver pins
TIP: Use a plastic bag when removing theplug follower. This will contain the
springs and pins when they go SPROING!(And they will!)
once the follower is removed, collect allthe springs and pins and keep them safe
for reinstallation
using tweezers, carefully load therearmost chamber with one spring andone driver pin. you will need to press
the pin and spring down into thechamber, then slide the follower in one
pin position to hold it in place.
repeat this process for each pin position
once all pinstacks are
installed, youcan use the plugto replace the
plug follower. Itis just like
removing the
plug, but inreverse!
reinstall thecirclip and
you arecomplete!
you must rememberto keep the plug
rotated slightly orthe driver pins will
drop into the wrongplug chambers. it
gets bad at thatpoint.
ZOINK!
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The pencil trick
line up tipof hookwith pin
position onkey
Mark in
line withshoulderof key
shoulder
the pencil trick is great for the beginner. by marking outthe positions of each pin, you will have a visual guide tohelp you know when you are directly under each pin. whenthe pick is in the lock, line each marking up with the face ofthe lock and you will know you're lined up.by knowing just when you're under each pin, you will be
able to better understand the feel of lining up with a pin.
wow! what agood idea!
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mechanical defects and tolerances
lock picking worksbecause of a
vulnerability createdby mechanicaltolerances in the
manufacture of locks.small misalignments in
the pin chambers,chambers that are
misshapen (oval), aswell as misshapen pins
will create what iscalled the binding
effect (explainednext).
it's important tounderstand that no
lock can be made"perfect". Even in a
very well-manufactured lock,there will always be
mechanical
tolerances. in orderfor the pins to movefreely in the
chambers, the outsidediameter of the pins
must be slightlysmaller than the
inside diameter of thechamber. these
tolerances will alwaysbe imperfect.
in the next section, wewill look at how to
exploit thesetolerances to pick the
lock
exaggeratedexample
hmm.. idon't get
itthat's ok,stick with
me
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applying tension
applying tension is whatcauses the binding effect
to take place.
you can apply tension tothe lock with a variety oftools, and either at the
top or the bottom of thekeyway. there is no
"correct" way to applytension. it is only
important that the wrenchgrips well, and does notslip or bind against othercomponents of the lock,
such as the front pin.
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the binding effect
when rotational tension isapplied to the plug, only one pinwill prevent the rotation of the
plug. this is due to themechanical tolerances mentionedpreviously. this one pin is calledthe "binding pin", because it will
get "stuck" at the shear line. thisbinding pin can now be lifted,using your pick tool, until it
crosses the shear line and getsstuck above. when this happens,
the binding effect will betransfered to another pin in thelock. if tension is maintained, the
set pin will remain above theshear line as you continue to setthe next pin. this is the principle
upon which lock picking relies.
STEPS TO LOCK PICKING
1. apply tension
2. find the binding pin3. lift it to the shear line4. repeat steps 2 and 3 until the
lock is open
DING DING!
Soundseasy
enough...well, just hangtight killer, it'sharder than it
looks
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AT restpin stack is sittingat its lowest point.picker will noticespring tension on
stack
SETdriver pin is trapped
above shear line.key pin will fall back
down and not beunder spring
tension
overset
the key pin has beenpushed past the shearline and is now
binding. key pin willnot fall back down.
no spring tension willbe detected
undersetbinding pin hasbeen lifted, butnot all the way
to the shearline. key pin is
free to fall backdown and willnot be under
spring tension.
false sets
possible pin states
it's important to understandthat at any time, each pinstack will be in one of the
above pin states. tosuccessfully open the lock,you must get all pin stacksinto the "set" state. theystart off in the "at rest"state. Along the way, youwill be challenged by falsesets, and recognizing and
overcoming these false setswill determine your success.
Cool. this ismaking
sense now!
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A BRIEF INTRO TO TOOL MAKING
FOR THISEXERCISE, YOU'LL
NEED A BENCHGRINDER, SAFETY
GLASSES, A GLASSOF WATER, AND AHACKSAW BLADE.
YOU'LL ALSOWANT SAND PAPER(emery paper) IN
A VARIETY OFGRITS, AND SOME
PATIENCE.
MAKING A PICK FROM A HACKSAW BLADE
get yourself a picktemplate. These can
be found online.Check at
lockpicking101.comfor pick templates.Print the template
to scale and cut outthe shape of the
pick, gluing it to thehacksaw blade with aconventional glue
stick
OK, so farso good.
next comesthe scary
part!
scary part?
No, notreally, butyou have tobe careful
importantALWAYS WEAR EYE
PROTECTION AND WORK INA WELL VENTILATED AREA
WHEN SANDING ORGRINDING
USING YOUR BENCHGRINDER, REMOVE THE
TEETH FROM THE HACKSAWBLADE.
IMPORTANT NOTES
THERE ARE A LOT OFMATERIALS THAT ARE
GREAT FOR MAKINGPICKS, AND A VARIETYOF TOOLS THAT CAN BEUSED. WE HAVE DECIDED
TO USE A HACKSAWBLADE AND A BENCHGRINDER FOR THISEXERCISE BECAuSEBOTH ARE WIDELYAVAILABLE ANDPRODUCE GOOD
RESULTS. SEE THE NEXPAGE FOR IMPORTANT
TIPS ON BENCHGRINDER SAFETY AND
TECHNIQUE!
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grinding out your picks
never usethe side of
the grindingwheel.
always usethe front
edge!
grind out the basic shape ofthe pick. use the corners ofthe grind wheel to make the
curved shapes. for finerdetail, you may wish to use arotary tool (like a dremel)
with a cutting wheel to get theshape you want.
be sure to quench often!!! thisis important. quenching will
keep the metal cool andstrong. do not let the metal
change color while grinding. ifthis happens your tool will be
too weak or brittle.
please use power tools safelyand follow all operating
instructions!
once you've got the basicshape, peel away the templateand you're ready for finishing
wow! This isstarting to
look like apick. cool!
yup! butyou're only
half wayhome. pickfinishing is
the realsecret!
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pick finishing
pick finishing is where it's at. Get goodat this! the smoother your picks, the
easier they will move through the lock,the better feedback you'll get from thepins, and the better you'll be at picking
locks!
start with a heavier grit of sand paper(emery paper), perhaps between 150 and
200 grit, and then work your way toprogressively finer and finer grits,
finishing with somewhere between 1100and 2000 grit.
for the rough finishing, wrap the paperaround a block of wood and sand allsurfaces, paying special attention to
the edges of the neck and tip of the pick.
for the tight corners, try wrapping thepaper around a chop stick.
sand the picks until you get a veryshiny, very smooth finish.
beginner's tip!
when you think you've
sanded enough, you'reprobably only half finished!
you want these babies tolook like little mirrors! it'sa lot of work, but worth it
in the end!
once you're happywith the level ofsanding, you may
wish to really
shine them up! trytaking a rotarytool (dremel)
with a hard feltpolishing wheel
and somepolishing
compound. you'llbe amazed at the
difference!
My hands arenumb from
all thissanding!
no kidding!welcome tomy world...
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to start, laythe pick flaton a surface
and sand.
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making a tension wrench
wiper bladeinserts work
great! you canfind theminside the
rubber on theblade
Cut 'em downto size and put
an l-shapedbend into one
end
I think I
can handlethat
file themsmooth and puta twist in thehandle for
comfort andcontrol
then polish themup real good
with some steelwool
viola! you havea wrench thatlooks just as
good as the protools! way to
go!
thanks, Imade itmyself!
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w w w . l o c k p i c k i n g 1 0 1 . c o m
Every day, hundreds (possibly thousands) ofenthusiasts gather together in the worlds leadingonline locksport community. lockpicking101 serves as
a huge resource of information on every locksporttopic imaginable. members regularly answer questions
and discuss topics of technique, tools, locks, andmore! there is no better place online for thelocksport hobbyist to hang out and learn!
WHere to getmore info
www.locksport.comlocksport internationalis looking for pioneersto form locksportgroups in your area!
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why get involved in LI?
because it's fun! picking locksis cool. But many havediscovered that getting
involved in a locksport groupis even cooler. members
participate in contests and a
ranking system. they learntogether, challenge eachother, and most important,
they have fun together!
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