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- *****************************
- * *
- * The Arts of Lockpicking *
- * *
- *****************************
-
- Author: Unknown
- Retyped 2/20/87 by Amadeus
-
-
- LOCKPICKING I: CARS AND ASSORTED LOCKS
-
- Technology and the Art of Opening Things
- ----------------------------------------
-
- While the basic themes of lockpicking and uninvited entry have not changed too
- much in the last few years, some modern devices and techniques have appeared on
- the scene . . .
-
- Autos
- -----
-
- Many older autos can still be opened with a slim Jim type opener (these and
- other auto locksmithing techniques are covered fully in the book "In the Stea
- of the Night" by John Russell III); however many modern cars have built covers
- over the lock mechanism, or have moved the goodies so the slim Jim will not
- work . . . So:
-
- American Locksmith Service
- P.O. Box 26
- Culver City, CA 90230
-
- carries a new improved slim jim that is 30" long and 3/4" wide so it will both
- reach and slip through the new car lock covers (inside the door).
-
- Price is $5.75 plus $2.00 postage and handling.
-
- General Motor's cars have always been a bane to people who needed to open them,
- because the sidebar locking unit they employ is very difficult to pick. To
- further complicate matters, the new GM cars do employ metal shields to make the
- use of a slim jim type instrument very difficult . . . So:
-
- Lock Technology Corporation
- 685 Main St.
- New Rochelle, NY 10801
-
- offers a cute little tool which will easily remove the lock cylinder without
- harm to the vehicle and let you enter and/or start the vehicle.
-
- The GMC-40 sells for $56.00 plus $2.00 for postage and handling.
-
- The best general automobile opening kit is probably a set of lockout tools
- offered by:
-
- Steck MFG Corporation
- 1319 W. Stewart St.
- Dayton, OH 45408
-
- For $29.95 one can purchase a complete set of six carbon lock-out tools that
- will open more than 95 percent of all the cars around.
-
- Kwickset have become quite popular as one step security locks for many types of
- buildings. They are a bit harder to pick and offer a higher degree of security
- than a normal builder installed door lock. So:
-
- A MFG
- 1151 Wallace St.
- Massilon, OH 44646
-
- Price is $11.95. Kwickset locks can handily be disassembled and the door open-
- ed without harm to either the lock or the door by using the above mentioned
- kwick out tool.
-
- If you are too lazy to pick auto locks:
-
- Veehof Supply
- Box 361
- Storm Lake, IO 50588
-
- Still sells tryout keys for most cars (tryout keys are used since there is no
- one master key for any one make of car but there are group type masters a.k.a.
- tryout keys. Prices average about $20.00 a set.
-
- Updated Lockpicking
- -------------------
-
- For years, there have been a number of pick attack procedure for most pin and
- tumbler lock systems. In reverse order of ease they are as follows.
-
- Normal Picking: Using a pick set to align the pins, one by one, until the
- shear line is set and the lock opens.
-
- Racking: This method uses picks that are constructed with a series of bumps,
- or diamond shape notches. These picks are "raked" (i.e. run over all the pins
- at one time). With luck, the pins will raise in the open position and stay
- there. Raking, if successful, can be much less a effort than standard picking.
-
- Lock Aid Gun: This gun shaped device was invented a number of years ago and
- has found application with many locksmiths and security personnel. Basically,
- a needle shaped pick is inserted in the snout of the "gun" and the "trigger" is
- pulled. This action snaps the pick up and down strongly. If the tip is
- slipped under the pins, they will also be snapped up and down strongly. With a
- bit of luck they will strike each other and separate at the shear line for a
- split second. When this happens the lock will open. The lock aid gun is not
- 100% successful, but when it does work the results are very dramatic. You can
- somtimes open the lock with one snap of the trigger and impress the hell out of
- casual bystanders.
-
- Vibrator: Some crafty people have mounted a needle pick into an electric
- toothbrush power unit. This vibrating effect will sometimes open pin tumbler
- locks -- like instantly . . .
-
- Technology to the Rescue
- ------------------------
-
- There is now another method to open pin and wafer locks in a very short time.
- Although it resembles a toothbrush pick in appearance, its actually an elec-
- tronic device.
-
- I'm speaking of the Cobra pick that is designed and sold by:
-
- Fed Corporation
- P.O. Box 569
- Scottsdale, AR 85252
-
- The Cobra uses two nine volt batteries, teflon bearings (for less noise), and a
- cam roller. It comes with three picks (for different types of locks) and works
- both in America and overseas, on pin or wafer locks. The Cobra will open group
- one locks (common door locks) in three to seven seconds with no damage, in the
- hands of an experienced locksmith. It can take a few seconds more or up to a
- half a minute for someone with no experience at all. It will also open group
- two locks (including govt., high security, and medecos) although this can take
- a short time longer. It will not open GM sidear locks, although a device is
- about to be introduced to fill that gap.
-
- How much for this toy that will open most locks in seven seconds???
-
- $235.00 plus $4.00 shipping and handling.
-
- For you hard core safe crackers (serious shit), Fed Corp. also sells the MI-6
- that will open most safes at a cost of $10,000 for the three wheel attack model
- and $10,500 for the four wheel model. It comes in a sturdy aluminum carrying
- case with monitor and disk drive and software.
-
- If none of these safe and sane ideas appeal to you, you can always fall back on
- the magic thermal lance . . .
-
- The thermal lance is a rather crude instrument constructed from 3/8" hollow
- magnesium rods. Each tube comes in a 10' length, but can be cut down if de-
- sired. Each one is threaded on one end. To use the lance, you screw the tube
- together with a matted regulator (like a welding outfit uses) and hook up an
- oxygen tank. Then oxygen is turned on and the rod is lit with a standard weld-
- ing ignitor. The device produces an incredible amount of heat. It is used for
- cutting up concrete blocks or even rocks. An active lance will go through a
- foot of steel in a few seconds.
-
- The lance is also known as a burning bar and is available from:
-
- C.O.L. MFG
- 7748 W. Addison
- Chicago, IL 60634
-
- This completes lockpicking I.
-
-
- LOCKPICKING II: MISH ASSORTED LOCKS
-
- So you want to be a criminal. Well, if you are wanting to be like James Bond
- and open a lock in fifteen seconds, go to Hollywood because that's the only
- place your gonna ever do it. Even experienced locksmiths can spend five to ten
- minutes on a lock if they're unlucky. If you are looking for extremely quick
- access, look elsewhere.
-
- The following instructions will pertain mostly to the "lock-in-knob" type lock,
- since it is the easiest to pick. If there is sufficient demand, I will later
- write a file discussing the other forms of entrance, including dead-bolt.
-
- First of all, you need a pick set. If you know a locksmith, get him to make
- you a set. This will be the best possible set for you to use. If you find a
- locksmith unwilling to supply a set, don't give up hope. It is possible to
- make your own, if you have access to a grinder (you can use a file, but it
- takes forever).
-
- The thing you need is an allen wrench set (very small). These should be small
- enough to fit into the keyhole slot. Now, bend the long end of the allen
- wrench at a slight angle (not 90 deg.).
-
- Now, take you pick to a grinder or a file and smooth the end until it's rounded
- so it won't hang inside the lock. Test your tool out on doorknobs at your
- house to see if it will slide in and out smoothly. Now, this is where the
- screwdriver comes in. Is it small enough for it and your pick to be used in
- the same lock at the same time, one above the other? Let's hope so, because
- that's the only way your gonna open it. In the coming instructions, please re-
- fer to this chart of the interior of a lock:
-
- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX\ K
- # # # # # # \ E
- # # # # \ Y # Upper Tumler Pin
- * * \ H * Lower Tumler Pin
- * * * * * * \ O X Cylinder Wall
- \ L (This is a greatly simplified drawing)
- \ E
- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX\
-
- The object is to press the pin up so that the space between the upper pin and
- the lower pin is level with the cylinder wall. Now, if you push a pin up, its
- tendancy is to fall back down, right?
-
- That is where the screwdriver comes in. Insert the screwdriver into the slot
- and turn. This tension will keep the "solved" pins from falling back down.
- Now, work from the back of the lock to the front, and when you're through . . .
-
- There will be a click, the scredriver will turn freely, and the door will open.
- Don't get discouraged on your first try! It will probably take you about
- twenty to thirty minutes your first time. After that you will quickly improve
- with practice.
-
-
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