Locksmithing / Lock picking
 

When my house was built, of course the builder used some cheap locks.
Dexter by Schlage, so Schlage keys fit, but the locks are made in China, and kind of flimsy.
I replaced them several years ago with Schlage locks, not all at once, but one or two at a time as I found them either on Craigslist or eBay. I'd change the pinning so they still all worked from the same key. When we had Ginger, I had to create a lock I could no longer buy, a lever that wouldn't unlock unless you turned the button. She learned to paw at the lever and get the door open to go outside. I did have a different one on the back door, but after the wife locked herself out the second time, I had to change it.

I've got these extra Dexter locks, and decided it's time to get rid of them. I thought it might make more sense to sell some of them as a set, keyed alike, so I bought a re-key kit at Menards. Boy, was that a mistake. It's a Prime-Line kit, 3 keys and a set of color coded pins. The thing is, the pins aren't the same height as Schlage pins, so I can't use the extras for anything. In fact, I wouldn't recommend these for anybody. There's sets of 5 color coded pins, but they're all almost the same size.
The ones I got were 0.220, 0.230, 0.235, 0.240 and 0.260" in size. Real deal Schlage pins range from 0.165" to 0.300", with a 0.015" difference between one size of pin and the next size. A 0.005" difference isn't enough, and I'm pretty sure I could mix up a couple and the lock would still open.

I also bought some locks with no keys off eBay, thinking they would be easy to open. I guess I don't have the touch. I've only got one open, using a snap gun I bought from a retiring locksmith. No luck so far with the other two. Any tips?

Anyone watch "The Rookie"? Last week one of the main characters was trying to get some non-paying renters out of her house, and when they left they not only took all the furniture, they took the hardware off all the doors. Looking around at my house, that would suck having to replace all of that.

One other thing I did, once again wife related, was I put a storeroom lock on the shed door in the back yard. It's always locked, you turn the key, then you can turn the handle. As long has she remembers to pull the door shut, it's locked. Maybe I should invest in a door closer.

Lock picking isn't as easy as they make it look in the movies. I bought a set and a bunch of locks of varying difficulty (size of keyway, type of lock, type of pins, etc...). Most door locks are pretty easy, especially if they're not in a door. But it takes work and practice, and even the way the lock is keyed can make a big difference in how tough a lock is to pick. For instance if the pin farthest in is super short, but the one in front of it is really long, that can be a bear.

I’ve been rekeying Schlage locks for over 30 years. I’ve noticed a big difference in the quality of Schlage locks going from a lot of brass to a lot of Chinesium. In addition, some are non-rekeyable, due do a swaged cap. You destroyed the On the deadbolt cylinder when removing it. Maybe there’s a tool to remove and install it?

Edit, I’d like to learn how to pick locks.

Watch the Lockpicking Lawyer on Youtube. Or don't, he makes it look so easy.
Instead of the snap gun, I'm thinking of ordering a set of picks. I made one out of the stainless strip from a windshield wiper blade, but I think I pull too hard on the torsion rod. I could get 3 or 4 pins to click, but I could never get the last one.

I also thought about ordering a cutaway or clear lock to practice on.

Is your plastic cylinder hollow? I drilled out one to fit the piece from the deadbolt, because yes, they aren't removable on some newer deadbolts. That cheap re-key kit I just bought had a hollow tube, worked like a charm on a deadbolt.

Second that. I work with a few miscreant who like to dabble in lockpicking, they ALL mention the Lockpicking Lawyer as a prime source of info.


We have also learned that the locks in my building are 6 pin Schlages (or something like that, they speak a different language when discussing locks), and none of those guys will even try. So, we've go that going for us.

I’m not going to say that it’s easy, but it’s not really that hard.
I’ve never used a snap gun or bump key. I’ve only talked a few times. I mostly just pick (SPP - single pin pick). I bought a pick set online and a cheap door knob. I already had a cheap pad lock.

The lock picking lawyer is entertaining. BosnianBill on YouTube is also excellent and, I think, more educational IIRC.

This place has lots of good info including this page

https://www.art-of-lockpicking.com/best-locks-learn-lock-picking/

The general consensus on most of those is “don’t bother”. Get a handful of padlocks, even if they are all the same model. The way they are keyed and the tolerances can make one much harder to pick than others. I need to dig my locks and pick sweet out again.

I have this set. It was my first and it’s a great beginner set.
https://www.lockpickshop.com/PXS-14.html

I think these people actually make decent training locks. They aren’t the acrylic, but you can see into them. And their picks are also very popular.
https://www.sparrowslockpicks.com/collections/beginner-lock-pick-sets

This was the second set of picks that I bought. I bought them to get the picks that are more narrow which are easier to use in a narrow keyway.
https://www.lockpickworld.com/products/dangerfield-praxis-dual-gauge-21-piece-complete-lock-pick-set

I have a thread from a few years ago too
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/1031592-anyone-locksmith-lock-picker.html

Certainly not as easy as hot-wiring a car, anyway ...

_

my kid got a kit including a clear lock to practice on and picks for xmas
and finds some locks much eazyer to pick then others

most house door and pad locks are eazy

Absolutely. Most master locks are a joke (keyed or padlock).

And I replied to that thread as well. Looks like all my questions were answered 3 1/2 years ago.

Do we have an Alzheimer's thread going?

Hi, what's your name?

If you don't repeat yourself or even ask the same question a time or two more you probably don't belong here :D!

I taught myself to pick locks back in high school. I fashioned my own kit of tools out of spring steel. I don't remember how or where I got the information to do so. The internet was way in the future. In biology and chemistry labs, we all had our own drawers to keep our stuff in. When kids would forget their keys I would help them out and open their drawers. One day the biology teacher caught me and confiscated all my tools. I guess he figured that I was up to no good. He did return them upon graduation.
I have quite a collection of old locks and pins. I used to go to a home hardware salvage place in Houston and buy up old locks. High quality stuff that I use to change locks for family members. I volunteer at various railroad museums in the region repairing locks on old passenger cars and cabooses. Really simple stuff once you get them apart. I have quite a collection of skeleton keys, some that I made myself for locks that no keys are available.

Cue the Lockpicking Lawyer...

I had to remove a side door chain lock this year. It came with the house but I never had the key. It was a basic lock like a desk drawer lock. I went on You Tube and found a way. All I needed was 2 paper clips. I felt like Jim Rockford while picking the lock. It took me 15 minutes to make it work.

I have a Schlage rekeying kit with the plastic tool. It’s made for deadbolts and entrance locks. I also have several others I can use.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1673924768.jpg

Don't forget BosnianBill on youtube. He's another good lock picker. My locks and picks are in a box somewhere since we moved. I went to look for them a few mins ago, but then the missus put the grandsons to bed, so I stopped looking. They're going home tomorrow, so I'll have to do some digging this weekend to see if I can find them and get to picking again. It was fun, and not easy, but also not that hard.

I had at least one of each lock in this article, and was able to single pin pick them all.
https://www.art-of-lockpicking.com/best-locks-learn-lock-picking/

I also had some keyed door locks, which are generally pretty easy compared to the locks in the link.

Most standard masterlocks like this are beyond being a joke.
https://images.thdstatic.com/product...dcc-64_600.jpg

And for some really fascinating videos that include lock picking but also lots of other pentesting stuff, Check out Deviant Ollam on Youtube.

Taught a guy in Sweden how to pick the lock on his 356 glove box via email on the 356talk list forever ago....

And for a large majority of locks, picking them is fairly easy...