lockpicks

[endless]

hey everybody i was wondering what is a good beginner lock picking set i think it would be cool to know just as a hobby
i was wondering if anyone knew a cheap/good set.

[TheFreakinBear]

Yeah me too. I have some locks that I want to break into. They are some nice locks and I don't want to have to just cut them.

[spacecase0]

it is fun to do,
but being caught with "tools of the trade" for theft is really bad.
my advice is to just take out the locks and buy new ones.
or at least quit talking about it on the internet.
there are sets for sale to rekey door locks at some hardware stores,
they work only if you have the original keys, but it is a good start to see how locks work.

[Gatorfarmer]

In general, one needs to be a bonafide locksmith, locksmithing student, or have another verified reason for possession of lock picks, otherwise possession of such is a ticket to a felony charge for possession of burglarly tools. Thus if you want to play with locks, enroll in a course.

If you have locks that you want changed, opened, etc, call a locksmith.

[Kabong30]

Go learn to build a ship in a bottle or something.

[TheFreakinBear]

Maybe we're asking because we are looking at possibly becoming an apprentice for this and need some advice?

I can't speak for the OP but the father of a good friend of mine is a locksmith and always asks if I want to apprentice. He loves it and buys a variety of locks just to unlock them with his tools. Says it's a lot of fun and wants someone to compete against in terms of racing to unlock a series of different locks, in order. The have local competitions in some areas just apparently not by him.

[Kabong30]

Maybe we're asking because we are looking at possibly becoming an apprentice for this and need some advice?

I can't speak for the OP but the father of a good friend of mine is a locksmith and always asks if I want to apprentice. He loves it and buys a variety of locks just to unlock them with his tools. Says it's a lot of fun and wants someone to compete against in terms of racing to unlock a series of different locks, in order. The have local competitions in some areas just apparently not by him.

How convenient for you. I'd say pursue that avenue and be careful discussing it here? Just a thought.

[Aikidoka]

HPC or Pro-Lok make the best picks out there. Trust me you dont need a set with anything over 15 tools in it. Maybe 2 or 3 good tension wrenches and a few different size rakes. Also a good set will have a few broken key extractors in it as well. For stuff like padlocks half rakes and ball picks seem to work good because the cylinder size is a lot shorter. Stay away from all the 'gimmick' shit like the pick gun or electric picks.

[TheFreakinBear]

Maybe we're asking because we are looking at possibly becoming an apprentice for this and need some advice?

I can't speak for the OP but the father of a good friend of mine is a locksmith and always asks if I want to apprentice. He loves it and buys a variety of locks just to unlock them with his tools. Says it's a lot of fun and wants someone to compete against in terms of racing to unlock a series of different locks, in order. The have local competitions in some areas just apparently not by him.

How convenient for you. I'd say pursue that avenue and be careful discussing it here? Just a thought.

And why don't you get a fucking life and not jump to conclusions. Are you an idiot? Do you really think that I, having been here so long am dumb enough to talk about something if it was illegal? If this topic is illegal than I apologize for my naivete but as far as I know there is nothing illegal about asking about a decent lock picking kit for someone who wants to apprentice.

Again, I can't speak for the other guy but, unlike you, I can assume he's got good intentions as well. Don't make me ban you.

[crypto]

but being caught with "tools of the trade" for theft is really bad.

PAGING OLAF YAHOO TO THIS THREAD.

[Lenny]

but being caught with "tools of the trade" for theft is really bad.

PAGING OLAF YAHOO TO THIS THREAD.

(Edit) He went to a California in May and never came back.................................

[CLEAR CUT]

That's(Olaf) case and point for having these on you without the proper credentials. I know just possessing them and being caught constitutes having burglary tools. As far as I know that is a felony which is bad juju. Keep that in mind before acquiring a set.

[endless]

the act of picking locks as a hobby is not illegal why does everyone flip out.
i wanted to know where i could get a cheap/ good beginners set.
honestly i think it would be fun and more practical hobby than building a ship in a bottle.
Im not talking about breaking and entering just as a hobby please dont mess up my thread
making it something that its not.

[endless]

And also burglary tools can be considered anything from a screwdriver, hammer, down to a brick. I take a criminal justice class and my prof. told me pretty much if a police officer wanted to charge you with that he could. how many of us carry a pocket knife /swiss army knife or have tools in our cars.

props to TheFreakinBear thanks for having my back on this one

[crypto]

Yeah, if you want to just have a set to keep at home and try your skill out on locksets, its a nice hobby.

cheaperthandirt and all the mall ninja catalogs have lockpick sets in them. Theyre just spring steel, they arent hard to make.


http://www.lockpickshop.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; has a bunch of name brands too, but you'll pay more for them.



In fact, here's a good link for you:

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=professional+lock+picks" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[crypto]

And also burglary tools can be considered anything from a screwdriver, hammer, down to a brick. I take a criminal justice class and my prof. told me pretty much if a police officer wanted to charge you with that he could. how many of us carry a pocket knife /swiss army knife or have tools in our cars.

The officer COULD charge you with those, sure. All of those things could also be deadly weapons. However, if you've got a fucking pick set in your pocket, its like having a pistol in your waistband. Its not a matter of COULD be charged, its a matter of WILL be charged.

[endless]

very true

[TheFreakinBear]

props to TheFreakinBear thanks for having my back on this one

Snoogins.

I've just always been interested in it. I have a bunch of really nice locks that I lost the keys for which would be nice to learn how to do the whole lock picking thing on. Not that I couldn't get another key made if I really tried but it would be just a fun hobby and hey, I could make a few bucks after I'm done with the apprenticeship.

[jamoni]

Props to TFB for breaking our "No flaming" rule. Check your PMs.

[TheFreakinBear]

Props to TFB for breaking our "No flaming" rule. Check your PMs.

Check your PMs.

[TheFreakinBear]

Kabong30, you need to check your PMs as well.

[Brendan Sullivan]

Jackassery aside, I cannot think of a SHTF-type situation where it would not be faster and easier than picking to smash something open or find another means of entry. If you need to silently gain entry to a room that's locked, you probably shouldn't be in that room in the first place.

So far I've 'picked' locks with claw hammers, files, and an electric drill, and never had an issue. An army buddy came to me once and asked me to open the lock on his duffel bag because he lost the key. I said "No problem, but you won't be gettin' the lock back" and he let me go to town on it with a hammer and pliers. The two times I've locked myself out of my car, the day was saved not by a smith or a slim jim, but once by a crowbar and once by a BFH.

[TheFreakinBear]

Jackassery aside, I cannot think of a SHTF-type situation where it would not be faster and easier than picking to smash something open or find another means of entry. If you need to silently gain entry to a room that's locked, you probably shouldn't be in that room in the first place.

No you're right but that's called breaking and entering which is illegal - something we try to stray from. The thing about lock picking is that it's just neat. The complexity of everything mixed with the amount of dexterity you need is just cool. Plus you learn a lot about how locks work and all of that.

[Brendan Sullivan]

Jackassery aside, I cannot think of a SHTF-type situation where it would not be faster and easier than picking to smash something open or find another means of entry. If you need to silently gain entry to a room that's locked, you probably shouldn't be in that room in the first place.

No you're right but that's called breaking and entering which is illegal - something we try to stray from. The thing about lock picking is that it's just neat. The complexity of everything mixed with the amount of dexterity you need is just cool. Plus you learn a lot about how locks work and all of that.

I think you're still on the defensive from all the flak you caught earlier in the thread. NOWHERE in my post does it say I want you to gain entry to someplace you're not allowed to be. I only said it's locked. In this hypothetical situation, if it's not your property, you're just as 'breaking and entering' whether by lockpick or by brick.

Edit: Since OP asked about picks just as a hobby, I advise him or her to find a cheap set to start with, since opening is about skill way more than it is about the tools. Someone who knows what they are doing can open a lock with a screwdriver and a bent paperclip. Someone who knows what tool they want can also make one with hand tools out of street sweeper bristles or bicycle spokes.