Homemade Picks

[enCode]

You also found some filler for a Migiver style show. "Quick we need to pick this lock!" "Does anyone have a AA size battery?" -> Continue with plot

Now only if the gum and gum wrapper only still worked on window alarm systems :)

no, it still works, but now you make lasers out of them

[hackajar]

You also found some filler for a Migiver style show. "Quick we need to pick this lock!" "Does anyone have a AA size battery?" -> Continue with plot

Now only if the gum and gum wrapper only still worked on window alarm systems :)

[enCode]

Google. Goin' for it.
thanks

[TheCotMan]

i also found out that they are interchangable with a special key. If you have this key instead of turning the entire way, it only turns about 20 degrees and the entire lock will fall out, is it possible to instead to take the whole thing out, or would you(more then likely) have to find the right shear lines and then turn this security tab to release the lock?

(I really need to stop lurking during the week-- there is just too much of a feeling I should post replies.)

Google is your friend. The words you want are "removable core" lock and key. Add a manufacturer for more specific information.

Different makers of locks have different methods for implementing this and then they have variations and significant differences depending on the lock model.

Many use a variation of a special key that is longer, has a "spacer" or holes in the length of it, or has a tip at the end that is higher/lower than what should be considered legal for most keys in that lock.

In order to find out how it is done, you search for your manufacturer, then search for the model that you have.

[enCode]

whoa, thats really clever. I never would have thought of that. I've been wondering how one key of a certain type can open different doors. That explains it so well. Thanks alot. I found the brand of the lock, 'best', i also found out that they are interchangable with a special key. If you have this key instead of turning the entire way, it only turns about 20 degrees and the entire lock will fall out, is it possible to instead to take the whole thing out, or would you(more then likely) have to find the right shear lines and then turn this security tab to release the lock?. More just wondering then any thing. Thanks alot for the info though.

[TheCotMan]

But i noticed that there are certain keys that will open certain doors and wont open others. The keys are ranked by what doors they can open. Example: a 'cccs' key will open most offices. What kind of locks are these called?

(Don't tell anyone I was here. It will be our little secret.)

If you have a standard setup with spring loaded pins for each lock, then what you describe is likely a Key, Sub-Master, Master, GrandMaster System.

Examine the cut-away diagram of a spring loaded pinned lock (pin tumbler) and you will often see a top pin and bottom pin. If we assume the top pin touches a spring, and then bottom pin touches the key, the place where the top and bottom pin touch is part of the the sheer/shear (sp*) line when this interface is lined up with the plane tangent to the cyl and plug.

In a pin tumbler master key system, an *extra* pin is added between the top pin and the bottom pin.

This extra pin decreases the security of the lock for each pin since there is more than one sheer/shear (sp*) line for any single collection of vertical pins (top pin, "master pin" (middle pin) and lower or bottom pin. School locks are also less often replaced, and older locks that have sloppy pins are even less secure than newer ones.

It is only a matter of math (or tables for those who don't like math/programming) to generate a master key pin length for a series of locks.

There are limits in how many unique lock combinations can be created based on the number of pin sets (where one set is a top and bottom pin or top, middle and bottom pin) and how many popsitions the lock makers specify for each pin height (usually 4, 6, 9 or 10 positions per pin set.) This means, there are usually collisions in a large building with hundreds of locks-- even when they have 8 pin locks. [Since I dont have the time or desire to show the math, I'll save you from the math. If you really want to know, you can look it up on google.]

Those keys which can open multiple doors are sub-masters or may be called departmental masters. How a selection is made for what keys should open what doors depends upon the requirements of the building/floor.

google search keywords: master submaster grandmaster key system
First hit

(sp*) I have seen it written "sheer" (angular, almost perpendicular) and "shear" (cut) in books on this subject. Both seem to be able to work, but I dont know what the original word was.

[enCode]

Im slowly getting into lock picking and now that im learning all of this stuff and learning to respect them (i guess could say), i was wondering about the locks in schools. Before you tell me that not to do anything illeagal this comes from the fact that i actually work with the school and have the right to use the school keys. But i noticed that there are certain keys that will open certain doors and wont open others. The keys are ranked by what doors they can open. Example: a 'cccs' key will open most offices. What kind of locks are these called? Thanks.

[enCode]

At least you did your home work.

[lil_freak]

Yes, there can be health risks related to taking apart batteries depending on what kind of battery you are going to use.

However, if you do some Googling you can find out what batteries are fairly safe and which one should be avoided.

[enCode]

Thats kinda neat, but doesnt taking a batery apart pose some possible health risk? Just wondering.

[lil_freak]

New Spin On Homemade Picks.....

Battery cores can be fashioned into picks; they also work great as shims.

To make one you will need to remove the outer cover of the batteries, resulting in the removal of the battery core attached to the positive end of the battery. Next you’ll need to flatten the positive end of the core, shaping it into a pick or shim.





Note: These work okay for picks, however they don't really last all that long. Seems as though they don't take wear and tear well