Notes on Picking Pin Tumbler Locks

In particular note that because the pins are slightly out of alignment, as the plug is turned gently, only the pin stack that is most out of alignment actually prevents further rotation. No ball is called, and the cue ball is not required to hit any particular object ball first. There is a long time between the first use of side spin along with universal use of tips and the first recorded use of "English" to mean side. Right: Side view, with part of the shell and plug cut away to expose the six pin stacks. And at a certain rhythm of breath, one side of this rosary will occupy forty minutes of clock time. A jump shot is one in which the cue ball is made to go over an intervening obstacle such as an object ball or part of the cushion. If the cue stick contacts the cue ball more than once on a shot, the shot is a foul. If this pin stack is slowly pushed up with torque applied to the plug, eventually its cut will reach the shear line and the plug will turn a bit more.

Left: The correct key lifts the pin stacks to align the cuts at the shear line. Figure 2. Pin tumbler lock with a correct key inserted. Many experienced locksmiths and expert lock pickers prefer "home made" tools to the commercial selections, especially for picking unusual and high security locks. For advanced sharks, we even have 9-ball games available in varying difficulty levels, from beginner to expert. It may be inferred that it developed from a variety of games in which propelling a ball was a main feature. Although billiard balls’ material originally was ivory, three creative pool ball materials exist nowadays. Spring steel or stainless steel, between .020 and .035 inches thick, are typical materials. The traditional torque tool is made from stiff, flat spring steel, bent at a 90 degree angle to provide a small blade that fits in the keyway and a long handle to which torque is applied. Torque tools may be oriented vertically (with the handle in line with the keyway) or horizontally (with the handle perpendicular to the keyway); different people have different preferences. Repeat until lock turns: - Locate the pin stack that's being pinched at the shear line (it resists slightly when pushed up) - Continue to push that pin stack up until its cut reaches the shear line and the plug turns slightly.

The top pin of the most misaligned pin stack becomes "pinched" at the shear line between the plug and the shell. If you tried to rotate the plug of such a lock without a key in the keyway, the top pin segment of each pin stack would block the plug at exactly the same number of degrees of rotation; each pin stack would contribute equally to preventing the plug from turning. These imperfections are very small -- as little as .0001 inches in some cases -- but they are what allow us to manipulate ("pick") locks open without using the correct key. A few basic tools are sufficient to pick the majority of commonly used locks. Good tools are important, to be sure, but once a few basic tools are available the student of lock picking is usually better off investing in new locks on which to practice rather than in new picking tools. Note: The author does not stock, sell, or distribute lock tools; if you're not a student in my seminar, please don't ask -- I can't help you. Both the pick and the torque tool also amplify and transmit feedback about the state of the lock back to their user.

This style of tool is especially useful for holding open automotive locks that have spring-loaded dust covers. These locks must be picked at both the top and the bottom, sometimes alternating between them. Another style of torque tool has two "prongs" that fit in the top and bottom of the keyway, with a cutout between them for the pick. In general, the torque tool should be as thick as possible while still fitting in the keyway, and of a width sufficient to provide good control but without interfering with the picking tool's access to the pins. The pick must be strong enough to resist bending or breaking while lifting pins, yet the shaft must be small and thin enough to maneuver freely around the keyway without disturbing other pins. Vary the amount of lifting between strokes but do not force the pins, lest you overset them. The rest is just technique -- locating and recognizing the state of each pin stack, manipulating the pins, applying torque to the plug. The basic skills of pin tumbler lock picking include selecting the proper tools, manipulating pins through the keyway, applying torque, and recognizing the state of each pin. It's hard to learn these skills all at once on off-the-shelf commercial locks, but that's what many people who try to learn lock picking end up doing (before giving up in frustration).

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