Quick Start Guide for Beginners

Everything You Need to Know to Pop Open Your Transparent Practice Lock

Is this your first time trying to pick a lock? This guide is for you!

The contents of this book are intended for anyone seeking the secrets to opening a lock without using its key. This is also known as Locksport, a hobby that practices the useful skill of lockpicking.

Included you will find step-by-step instructions for two of the most common lockpicking methods, Raking and Single Pin Picking. Each method is accompanied by photos to show you exactly how to use your picks, as well as video illustrations on how the method works.

For us lockpicking addicts, locks are considered complex, mechanical puzzles. Successfully picking a lock is one of the most satisfying feelings as you will soon discover, and can be dangerously addicting. You have been warned!

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Important Notice

Lockpicking is first of all a form of art, and one can only succeed by using the slightest pressure. In the beginning, it’s normal that you won’t know exactly how much force you need to apply. Just begin with a very light touch, and as you practice, your hands will learn how much force is needed to pick the lock successfully.

TL:DR: If the pick on the jackknife becomes wiggly, it means you’ve used too much force. Tighten the screw and try again with lighter hands!

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Disclaimer

All material provided is for informational purposes only.

This guide does not under any circumstances encourage any illegal activities.

Lock picking is the practice of bypassing a locking mechanism or system. Only pick locks that belong to you or have explicit permission from the owner.

Each country/state has different laws on lock picking tools. Research your country/state law and the law of your destination if traveling with these tools.

We highly recommend against picking locks you rely on, such as your door or car.

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Contents of The Package

Which Picks Does Your Jackknife Include?

1. City Rake 2. Snake / C Rake 3. Bent Diamond 4. Medium Hook 5. Large Diamond 6. Half Ball

What Else Is Included In This Set:

 1 Tension Wrench (locked in the jackknife, see next section on how to remove it).

 1 Double-sided transparent practice lock. Each side of the lock has a different mechanism, and one is harder than the other!

 2 keys for the lock

 1 case that fits it all

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Before You Begin: How to Properly Use the Jackknife

1. Start by removing the tension wrench from the jackknife.

To do this, put your thumb on the indentation and pull the wrench out a bit, then pinch it with your thumb and index. With your other hand pinch the bent, bottom side. Then pull the wrench away from the unit (this might need a bit of force, as the unit is designed to keep your wrench tightly locked in place.

Video Example:

2. Untighten the screw at the side of the jackknife and pull out the pick you’d like to use. Keep this pick out and push the other picks back inside the unit.

3. Position the pick you chose at a slight angle with the rest of the unit and tighten the screw. Important: Do not straighten / overextend the pick, as your screw won’t tighten up completely and your pick will not be steady. Check photo for exact lining position.

CORRECT

WRONG

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Now you’re ready to start practicing!

4. How to put the tension wrench back into the jackknife:

Make sure all your picks are safely folded in the jackknife. Hold the tension wrench from the bent side and put the other side into the jackknife at about a 20° angle. Slide the wrench in and Voilà! Your wrench is securely locked into place.

Video Example:

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3 Easy Steps to Pop your Practice Lock

Method 1: Raking

The goal is to press down the pins with

your pick and line them up as shown in

the picture. This mimics what the key

does when inserted into the lock.

Tools you need:

 Tension wrench  City Rake

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Let’s Go!

Step 1

Hold the lock in your hand and insert a tension wrench as shown

Holding the lock in this position allows you to apply and reduce pressure on the tension wrench with your finger.

Keep in mind that there is no one “correct” way to hold the lock. Simply choose what feels more natural to you

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Step 2

Insert the City Rake Pick just below the Slowly “Rake” over the tension wrench. pins and lightly push down on them. At the same time,

gently apply pressure with your finger on the tension wrench. You will start to feel the pins set (hear them ‘’click’’)!

Video Illustration:

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Step 3

While keeping pressure In this picture a pin is on the tension wrench, set too far in. You will need inspect where the pins are to let the pressure off the once you have felt some of tension wrench to re-set the them click. pins and start over.

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 You Did It!! 

When the pins are aligned correctly, you will feel the tension wrench move.

Rotate the lock by pushing the tension wrench.

POP! The lock is now open!

You just picked your first lock!



Here’s What Success Looks Like:

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Method 2: Single Pin Picking

The goal is to press down the pins with your pick one by one individually, and line them up as in the Raking method.

Tools you need:

 Tension wrench  Hook Pick

Brought to you by Lock Cowboy®

Only Step 2 is different for this method. Don’t worry, it’s quite simple:

Insert your pick into the keyhole, just below the tension wrench, like before.

Now, instead of using the ‘’raking’’ movement, go for each single pin and try to set it into place.

Like before, at the same time, gently apply pressure with your finger on the tension wrench.

Also, be careful not to set the pins too far in. If you do, you’ll have to release the pressure off the tension wrench and start over!

Video Illustration:

 Extra Tip

Use the keys provided to see how they make the pins move around, and understand what you need to do to pick the lock. Try both keys in both locks and see the difference in the alignment of the pins!

Brought to you by Lock Cowboy®

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Use code "LockPick15" at checkout.

*Valid for existing customers only.

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 Keep Practicing 

I hope you’ve learned plenty with this guide.

Have you mastered picking the practice lock already?

The fun doesn’t stop here!

Try again with your eyes closed and once you succeed, move on to regular locks.

With enough practice, no lock will stand in your way!

For giveaways, exciting news, tips and video tutorials,

check our Social Media:

/TheLockCowboy @lock_cowboy

Still have questions? We’re here for you.

If you face any issues with this guide or our lockpicking set, please send us a message on Amazon. We’ll do whatever it takes to make sure you’re 100% happy with your order.



If you found this guide useful, please let us know!

We adore constructive feedback, so if you have any suggestions on how we could improve this guide or if any of the info you’re looking for is missing, please don’t hesitate to let us know. We’ll be forever grateful!

Brought to you by Lock Cowboy®

If this guide was shared to you without the tools, make sure to order your own set! CLICK HERE!

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Brought to You by LockCowboy.com

histri˜ution

gopyright IWVUD IWWI „heo dore „F „oolF ell rights reservedF

€ermission to repro du™e this do ™ument on — nonEprot ˜—sis is gr—nted provided th—t

this ™opyright —nd distri˜ution noti™e is in™luded in fullF „he inform—tion in this ˜ o oklet is

provided for edu™—tion—l purp oses onlyF

eugust IWWI revisionF I Brought to You by LockCowboy.com Images: Copyright © 2013 Jason Raveling. All rights reserved.

gontents

I st9s i—sy R

P row — uey yp ens — vo ™k S

Q „he pl—tl—nd wo del U

R f—si™ €i™king 8 „he finding hefe™t W

S „he €in golumn wo del II

T f—si™ ƒ™ru˜˜ing IU

U edv—n™ed vo ™k €i™king PI

UFI we™h—ni™—l ƒkills XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX PI

UFP en —nd the ert of vo ™k €i™king XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX PI

UFQ en—lyti™ „hinking XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX PP

V ixer™ises PQ

VFI ixer™ise IX foun™ing the pi™k XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX PQ

VFP ixer™ise PX €i™king pressure XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX PR

VFQ ixer™ise QX €i™king „orque XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX PR

VFR ixer™ise RX sdentifying ƒet €ins XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX PS

VFS ixer™ise SX €ro je™tion XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX PS

W ‚e™ognizing —nd ixploiting €erson—lity„r—its PU

WFI ‡hi™h ‡—y„o„urn XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX PU

WFP row p—r to „urn XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX PW

WFQ qr—vity XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX PW

WFR €ins xot ƒetting XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX PW

WFS il—sti™ heform—tion XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX PW P Brought to You by LockCowboy.com

WFT vo ose €lug XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX QH

WFU €in hi—meter XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX QP

WFV feveled roles —nd ‚ounded pins XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX QP

WFW wushro om hriver €ins XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX QR

WFIH w—ster ueys XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX QT

WFII hriver or ƒp—™er inters ueyw—y XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX QV

WFIP †i˜r—tion €i™king XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX QW

WFIQ hisk „um˜lers XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX RH

IH pin—l ‚em—rks RP

e„o ols RQ

eFI €i™k ƒh—p es XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX RQ

eFP ƒtreet ™le—ner ˜ristles XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX RR

eFQ fi™y™le sp okes XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX RT

eFR fri™k ƒtr—p XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX RU

f veg—l sssues RV Q Brought to You by LockCowboy.com

gh—pter I

st9s i—sy

„he ˜ig se™ret of lo ™k pi™king is th—t it9s e—syFenyone ™—n le—rn howtopi™k lo ™ksF

„he theory of lo ™k pi™king is the theory of exploiting me™h—ni™—l defe™tsF „here —re —

few ˜—si™ ™on™epts —nd denitions ˜ut the ˜ulk of the m—teri—l ™onsists of tri™ks for op ening

lo ™ks with p—rti™ul—r defe™ts or ™h—r—™teristi™sF „he org—niz—tion of this m—nu—l ree™ts this

stru™tureF „he rst few ™h—pters present the vo™—˜ul—ry —nd ˜—si™ inform—tion —˜ out lo ™ks

—nd lo ™k pi™kingF „here is no w—y to le—rn lo ™k pi™king without pr—™ti™ingD so one ™h—pter

presents — set of ™—refully ™hosen exer™ises th—t will help you le—rn the skills of lo ™k pi™kingF

„he do ™ument ends with — ™—t—log of the me™h—ni™—l tr—its —nd defe™ts found in lo ™ks —nd

the te™hniques used to re™ognize —nd exploit themF „he rst —pp endix des™ri˜ es how to m—ke

lo ™k pi™king to olsF „he other —pp endix presents some of the leg—l issues of lo ™k pi™kingF

„he exer™ises —re imp ort—ntF „he only w—y to le—rn how to re™ognize —nd exploit the

defe™ts in — lo ™k is to pr—™ti™eF „his me—ns pr—™ti™ing m—ny times on the s—me lo ™k —s well

—s pr—™ti™ing on m—ny dierentlo™ksF enyone ™—n le—rn how to op en desk —nd ling ™—˜inet

lo ™ksD ˜ut the —˜ility to op en most lo ™ks in under thirty se™onds is — skill th—t requires

pr—™ti™eF

fefore getting into the det—ils of lo ™ks —nd pi™kingD it is worth p ointing out th—t lo ™k

pi™king is just one w—yto ˜yp—ss — lo ™kD though it do es ™—use less d—m—ge th—n ˜rute for™e

te™hniquesF sn f—™tD it m—y ˜ e e—sier to ˜yp—ss the ˜ olt me™h—nism th—n to ˜yp—ss the lo ™kF

st m—y —lso ˜ e e—sier to ˜yp—ss some other p—rt of the do or or even —void the do or entirelyF

‚emem˜erX „here is —lw—ys —nother w—yD usu—lly — ˜ etter oneF R Brought to You by LockCowboy.com

gh—pter P

row — uey yp ens — vo ™k

„his ™h—pter presents the ˜—si™ workings of pin tum˜ler lo ™ksD —nd the vo™—˜ul—ry used in the

rest of this ˜ o okletF „he terms used to des™ri˜ e lo ™ks —nd lo ™k p—rts v—ry from m—nuf—™ture

to m—nuf—™ture —nd from ™ity to ™ityD so even if you —lre—dy underst—nd the ˜—si™ workings

of lo ™ksD you should lo ok —t gure PFI for the vo™—˜ul—ryF

unowing how — lo ™k works when it is op ened ˜y — key is only p—rt of wh—t you need to

knowF ‰ou —lso need to know how — lo ™k resp onds to pi™kingF gh—pters Q —nd S present

mo dels whi™h will help you underst—nd — lo ™k9s resp onse to pi™kingF

pigure PFI introdu™es the vo™—˜ul—ry of re—l lo ™ksF „he key is inserted into the keyw—y

of the plugF „he protrusions on the side of the keyw—y —re ™—lled w—rdsF‡—rds restri™t the

set of keys th—t ™—n ˜ e inserted into the plugF „he plug is — ™ylinder whi™h ™—n rot—te when

the prop er key is fully insertedF „he nonErot—ting p—rt of the lo ™k is ™—lled the hul lF „he

rst pin tou™hed ˜y the key is ™—lled pin oneF „he rem—ining pins —re num˜ered in™re—singly

tow—rd the re—r of the lo ™kF

„he prop er key lifts e—™h pin p—ir until the g—p ˜ etween the key pin —nd the driver pin

re—™hes the sheer lineF ‡hen —ll the pins —re in this p ositionD the plug ™—n rot—te —nd the

lo ™k ™—n ˜ e op enedF en in™orre™t key will le—ve some of the pins protruding ˜ etween the

hull —nd the plugD —nd these pins will prevent the plug from rot—tingF S Brought to You by LockCowboy.com

pigure PFIX ‡orkings of pin tum˜ler lo ™ks T Brought to You by LockCowboy.com

gh—pter Q

„he pl—tl—nd wo del

sn order to ˜ e™ome go o d —t pi™king lo ™ksD you will need — det—iled underst—nding of how

lo ™ks works —nd wh—t h—pp ens —s it is pi™kedF „his do ™ument uses two mo dels to help you

underst—nd the ˜ eh—vior of lo ™ksF „his ™h—pter presents — mo del th—t highlights inter—™tions

˜ etween pin p ositionsF gh—pter R uses this mo del to expl—in how pi™king worksF gh—pter W

will use this mo del to expl—in ™ompli™—ted me™h—ni™—l defe™tsF

„he 4—tl—nd4 mo del of — lo ™k is shown in pigure QFIF „his is not — ™ross se™tion of —

re—l lo ™kF st is — ™ross se™tion of — very simple kind of lo ™kF „he purp ose of this lo ™kis to

keep two pl—tes of met—l from sliding over e—™h other unless the prop er key is presentF „he

lo ™k is ™onstru™ted ˜y pl—™ing the two pl—tes over e—™h other —nd drilling holes whi™h p—ss

through ˜ oth pl—tesF „he gure shows—two hole lo ™kF „wo pins —re pl—™ed in e—™h hole

su™h th—t the g—p ˜ etween the pins do es not line up with the g—p ˜ etween the pl—tesF „he

˜ ottom pin is ™—lled the key pin ˜ e™—use it tou™hes the keyF „he top pin is ™—lled the driver

pinF yften the driver —nd key pins —re just ™—lled the driver —nd the pinF e protrusion on

the underside of the ˜ ottom pl—te keeps the pins from f—lling outD —nd — spring —˜ ove the

top pl—te pushes down on the driver pinF

sf the key is —˜sentD the pl—tes ™—nnot slide over e—™h other ˜ e™—use the driver pins p—ss

through ˜ oth pl—tesF „he ™orre™t key lifts the pin p—irs to —lign the g—p ˜ etween the pins

with the g—p ˜ etween the pl—tesF ƒee pigure QFQF „h—t isD the key lifts the key pin until its

top re—™hes the lo ™k9s sheer lineF sn this ™ongur—tionD the pl—tes ™—n slide p—st e—™h otherF

pigure QFQ —lso illustr—tes one of the imp ort—nt fe—tures of re—l lo ™ksF „here is —lw—ys —

sliding —llow—n™eF „h—t isD —ny p—rts whi™h slide p—st e—™h other must ˜ e sep—r—ted ˜y—

g—pF „he g—p ˜ etween the top —nd ˜ ottom pl—tes —llows — r—nge of keys to op en the lo ™kF

xoti™e th—t the rightkey pin in pigure QFQ is not r—ised —s high —s the left pinD yet the lo ™k

will still op enF U Brought to You by LockCowboy.com

pigure QFIX pl—tl—nd mo del of — lo ™k

pigure QFPX @—A pl—tl—nd key r—ises pins

pigure QFQX @˜A €rop er key —llows pl—tes to slide V Brought to You by LockCowboy.com

gh—pter R

f—si™ €i™king 8 „he finding hefe™t

„he —tl—nd mo del highlights the ˜—si™ defe™t th—t en—˜les lo ™k pi™king to workF „his defe™t

m—kes it p ossi˜le to op en — lo ™k ˜y lifting the pins one —t — timeD —nd thus you don9t need —

key to lift —ll the pins —t the s—me timeF pigure RFQ shows how the pins of — lo ™k ™—n ˜ e set

one —t — timeF „he rst step of the pro ™edure is to —pply — sheer for™e to the lo ™k ˜y pushing

on the ˜ ottom pl—teF „his for™e ™—uses one or more of the pins to ˜ e s™issored ˜ etween the

top —nd ˜ ottom pl—teF „he most ™ommon defe™t in — lo ™k is th—t only one pin will ˜indF

pigure RFQ— shows the left pin ˜indingF iven though — pin is ˜indingD it ™—n ˜ e pushed up

with — pi™king to olD see pigure RFQ˜F ‡hen the top of the key pin re—™hes the sheer lineD

the ˜ ottom pl—te will slide slightlyF sf the pi™k is removedD the driver pin will ˜ e held up

˜y the overl—pping ˜ ottom pl—teD —nd the key pin will drop down to its initi—l p ositionD see

pigure RFQ™F „he slight movement of the ˜ ottom pl—te ™—uses — new pin to ˜indF „he s—me

pro ™edure ™—n ˜ e used to set the new pinF

„husD the pro ™edure for one pin —t — time pi™king —lo™k is to —pply — sheer for™eD nd

the pin whi™h is ˜inding the mostD —nd push it upF ‡hen the top of the key pin re—™hes the

sheer lineD the moving p ortion of the lo ™k will give slightlyD —nd driver pin will ˜ e tr—pp ed

—˜ ove the sheer lineF „his is ™—lled setting — pinF

gh—pter W dis™usses the dierent defe™ts th—t ™—use pins to ˜ind one —t — timeF

IF epply — sheer for™eF

PF pind the pin th—t is ˜inding the mostF

QF €ush th—t pin up until you feel it set —t the sheer lineF

RF qo to step PF

„—˜le RFIX pigure SX €i™king — lo ™k one pin —t — timeF W Brought to You by LockCowboy.com

pigure RFIX @—A ƒheer for™e ™—uses driver to ˜ind

pigure RFPX @˜A €i™k lifts the ˜inding pin

pigure RFQX @™A veft driver sets —nd right driver ˜inds IH Brought to You by LockCowboy.com

gh—pter S

„he €in golumn wo del

„he —tl—nd mo del of lo ™ks ™—n expl—in ee™ts th—t involve more th—n one pinD ˜ut — dierent

mo del is needed to expl—in the det—iled ˜ eh—vior of — single pinF ƒee pigure SFIF „he pinE

™olumn mo del highlights the rel—tionship ˜ etween the torque —pplied —nd the —mount of for™e

needed to lift e—™h pinF st is essenti—l th—t you underst—nd this rel—tionshipF

sn order to underst—nd the 4feel4 of lo ™k pi™king you need to knowhow the movement

of — pin is ee™t ˜y the torque —pplied ˜y your torque wren™h @tensionerA —nd the pressure

—pplied ˜y your pi™kF e go o d w—y to represent this underst—nding is — gr—ph th—t shows the

minimum pressure needed to move — pin —s — fun™tion of how f—r the pin h—s ˜ een displ—™ed

from its initi—l p ositionF „he rem—inder of this ™h—pter will derive th—t for™e gr—ph from the

pinE™olumn mo delF

pigure SFP shows — single pin p osition —fter torque h—s ˜ een —pplied to the plugF „he

for™es —™ting of the driver pin —re the fri™tion from the sidesD the spring ™ont—™t for™e from

—˜ oveD —nd the ™ont—™t for™e from the key pin ˜ elowF „he —mount of pressure you —pply to

the pi™k determines the ™ont—™t for™e from ˜ elowF

„he spring for™e in™re—ses —s the pins —re pushed into the hullD ˜ut the in™re—se is slightD

so we will —ssume th—t the spring for™e is ™onst—ntover the r—nge of displ—™ements we

—re interested inF „he pins will not move unless you —pply enough pressure to over™ome

the spring for™eF „he ˜inding fri™tion is prop ortion—l to how h—rd the driver pin is ˜ eing

s™issored ˜ etween the plug —nd the hullD whi™h in this ™—se is prop ortion—l to the torqueF „he

more torque you —pply to the plugD the h—rder it will ˜ e to move the pinsF „o m—ke — pin

moveD you need to —pply — pressure th—t is gre—ter th—n the sum of the spring —nd fri™tion

for™esF

‡hen the ˜ ottom of the driver pin re—™hes the sheer lineD the situ—tion suddenly ™h—ngesF

ƒee pigure SFQF „he fri™tion ˜inding for™e drops to zero —nd the plug rot—tes slightly @until

some other pin ˜indsAF xow the only resist—n™e to motion is the spring for™eF efter the

top of the key pin ™rosses the g—p ˜ etween the plug —nd the hullD — new ™ont—™t for™e —rises

from the key pin striking the hullF „his for™e ™—n ˜ e quite l—rgeD —nd it ™—uses — p e—k in the

—mount of pressure needed to move — pinF

sf the pins —re pushed further into the hullD the key pin —™quires — ˜inding ™tion like the

driver pin h—d in the initi—l situ—tionF ƒee pigure SFRF „husD the —mount of pressure needed II Brought to You by LockCowboy.com

pigure SFIX „he pinE™olumn mo del

to move the pins ˜ efore —nd —fter the sheer line is —˜ out the s—meF sn™re—sing the torque

in™re—ses the required pressureF et the sheer lineD the pressure in™re—ses dr—m—ti™—lly due to

the key pin hitting the hullF „his —n—lysis is summ—rized gr—phi™—lly in gure SFSF IP Brought to You by LockCowboy.com

pigure SFPX finding in the pinE™olumn mo del IQ Brought to You by LockCowboy.com

pigure SFQX €ins —t the sheer line IR Brought to You by LockCowboy.com

pigure SFRX uey pin enters hull IS Brought to You by LockCowboy.com

pigure SFSX €ressure required to move pins IT Brought to You by LockCowboy.com

gh—pter T

f—si™ ƒ™ru˜˜ing

et home you ™—n t—ke your time pi™king — lo ™kD ˜ut in the eldD sp eed is —lw—ys essenti—lF

„his ™h—pter presents — lo ™k pi™king te™hnique ™—lled s™ru˜˜ing th—t ™—n qui™kly op en most

lo ™ksF

„he slow step in ˜—si™ pi™king @™h—pter RA is lo ™—ting the pin whi™h is ˜inding the mostF

„he for™e di—gr—m @pigure SFSA developed in ™h—pter S suggests — f—st w—y to sele™t the ™orre™t

pin to liftF essume th—t —ll the pins ™ould ˜ e ™h—r—™terized ˜y the s—me for™e di—gr—mF „h—t

isD —ssume th—t they —ll ˜ind —t on™e —nd th—t they —ll en™ounter the s—me fri™tionF xow

™onsider the ee™t of running the pi™k over —ll the pins with — pressure th—t is gre—t enough

to over™ome the spring —nd fri™tion for™es ˜ut not gre—t enough to over™ome the ™ollision

for™e of the key pin hitting the hullF eny pressure th—t is —˜ ove the —t p ortion of the for™e

gr—ph —nd ˜ elow the top of the p e—k will workF es the pi™k p—sses over — pinD the pin will

rise until it hits the hullD ˜ut it will not enter the hullF ƒee pigure SFQF „he ™ollision for™e —t

the sheer line resists the pressure of the pi™kD so the pi™k rides over the pin without pressing

it into the hullF sf the prop er torque is ˜ eing —ppliedD the plug will rot—te slightlyF es the

pi™k le—ves the pinD the key pin will f—ll ˜—™k to its initi—l p ositionD ˜ut the driver pin will

™—t™h on the edge of the plug —nd st—y —˜ ove the sheer lineF ƒee gure TFIF sn theory one

stroke of the pi™k over the pins will ™—use the lo ™k to op enF

sn pr—™ti™eD —t most one or two pins will set during — single stroke of the pi™kD so sever—l

strokes —re ne™ess—ryF f—si™—llyD you use the pi™k to s™ru˜ ˜—™k —nd forth over the pins while

you —djust the —mount of torque on the plugF „he exer™ises in ™h—pter V will te—™hyou how

to ™hoose the ™orre™t torque —nd pressureF

‰ou will nd th—t the pins of — lo ™k tend to set in — p—rti™ul—r orderF w—ny f—™tors ee™t

this order @see ™h—pter WAD ˜ut the prim—ry ™—use is — mis—lignment ˜ etween the ™enter —xis

of the plug —nd the —xis on whi™h the holes were drilledF ƒee gure TFPF sf the —xis of the

pin holes is skewed from the ™enter line of the plugD then the pins will set from ˜—™k to front

if the plug is turned one w—yD —nd from front to ˜—™k if the plug is turned the other w—yF

w—ny lo ™ks h—ve this defe™tF

ƒ™ru˜˜ing is f—st ˜ e™—use you don9t need to p—y —ttention to individu—l pinsF ‰ou only

need to nd the ™orre™t torque —nd pressureF pigure TFI summ—rizes the steps of pi™king —

lo ™k ˜y s™ru˜˜ingF „he exer™ises will te—™h you how to re™ognize when — pin is set —nd how IU Brought to You by LockCowboy.com

pigure TFIX hriver pin ™—t™hes on plug

to —pply the ™orre™t for™esF sf — lo ™k do esn9t op en qui™klyD then it pro˜—˜ly h—s one of the

™h—r—™teristi™s des™ri˜ ed in ™h—pter W —nd you will h—ve to ™on™entr—te on individu—l pinsF IV Brought to You by LockCowboy.com

pigure TFPX elignment of plug holes IW Brought to You by LockCowboy.com

IF snsert the pi™k —nd torque wren™hF ‡ithout —pplying —ny torque pull the pi™k out to

get — feel for the stiness of the lo ™k9s springsF

PF epply — light torqueF snsert the pi™k without tou™hing the pinsF es you pull the

pi™k outD —pply pressure to the pinsF „he pressure should ˜ e slightly l—rger th—n the

minimum ne™ess—ry to over™ome the spring for™eF

QF qr—du—lly in™re—se the torque with e—™h stroke of the pi™kuntil pins ˜ egin to setF

RF ueeping the torque xedD s™ru˜ ˜—™k —nd forth over the pins th—t h—ve not setF sf

—ddition—l pins do not setD rele—se the torque —nd st—rt over with the torque found in

the l—st stepF

SF yn™e the m— jority of the pins h—ve ˜ een setD in™re—se the torque —nd s™ru˜ the pins

with — slightly l—rger pressureF „his will set —ny pins whi™hh—ve set low due to ˜ eveled

edgesD et™F

„ —˜le TFIX pigure IQX f—si™ s™ru˜˜ingF PH Brought to You by LockCowboy.com

gh—pter U

edv—n™ed vo ™k €i™king

ƒimple lo ™k pi™king is — tr—de th—t —nyone ™—n le—rnF roweverD —dv—n™ed lo ™k pi™king is — ™r—ft

th—t requires me™h—ni™—l sensitivityD physi™—l dexterityD visu—l ™on™entr—tion —nd —n—lyti™

thinkingF sf you strive to ex™el —t lo ™k pi™kingD you will grow in m—ny w—ysF

UFI we™h—ni™—l ƒkills

ve—rning how to pull the pi™k over the pins is surprisingly di™ultF „he pro˜lem is th—t the

me™h—ni™—l skills you le—rned e—rly in life involved m—int—ining — xed p osition or xed p—th

for your h—nds indep endent of the —mount of for™e requiredF sn lo ™k pi™kingD you must le—rn

how to —pply — xed for™e indep endent of the p osition of your h—ndF es you pull the pi™k

out of the lo ™k you w—nt to —pply — xed pressure on the pinsF „he pi™k should ˜ oun™e up

—nd down in the keyw—y —™™ording to the resist—n™e oered ˜y e—™h pinF

„o pi™k — lo ™k you need feed˜—™k —˜ out the ee™ts of your m—nipul—tionsF „o get the

feed˜—™kD you must tr—in yourself to ˜ e sensitive to the sound —nd feel of the pi™k p—ssing

over the pinsF „his is — me™h—ni™—l skill th—t ™—n only ˜ e le—rned with pr—™ti™eF „he exer™ises

will help you re™ognize the imp ort—nt inform—tion ™oming from your ngersF

UFP en —nd the ert of vo ™k €i™king

sn order to ex™el —t lo ™k pi™kingD you must tr—in yourself to h—ve — visu—lly re™onstru™tive

im—gin—tionF „he ide— is to use inform—tion from —ll your senses to ˜uild — pi™ture of wh—t

is h—pp ening inside the lo ™k —s you pi™k itF f—si™—llyD you w—nt to pro je™t your senses into

the lo ™k to re™eive — full pi™ture of how it is resp onding to your m—nipul—tionsF yn™e you

h—ve le—rned how to ˜uild this pi™tureD it is e—sy to ™hoose m—nipul—tions th—t will op en the

lo ™kF

ell your senses provide inform—tion —˜ out the lo ™kF „ou™h —nd sound provide the most

inform—tionD ˜ut the other senses ™—n reve—l ™riti™—l inform—tionF por ex—mpleD your nose

™—n tell you whether — lo ™k h—s ˜ een lu˜ri™—ted re™entlyF es — ˜ eginnerD you will need to use PI Brought to You by LockCowboy.com

your eyes for h—ndEeye ™o ordin—tionD ˜ut —s you improveyou will nd it unne™ess—ry to lo ok

—t the lo ™kF sn f—™tD it is ˜ etter to ignore your eyes —nd use your sight to ˜uild —n im—ge of

the lo ™k ˜—sed on the inform—tion you re™eive from your ngers —nd e—rsF

„he go—l of this ment—l skill is to —™quire — rel—xed ™on™entr—tion on the lo ™kF hon9t

for™e the ™on™entr—tionF „ry to ignore the sens—tions —nd thoughts th—t —re not rel—ted to

the lo ™kF hon9t try to fo ™us on the lo ™kF

UFQ en—lyti™ „hinking

i—™h lo ™k h—s its own sp e™i—l ™h—r—™teristi™s whi™h m—ke pi™king h—rder or e—sierF sf you

le—rn to re™ognize —nd exploit the 4p erson—lity tr—its4 of lo ™ksD pi™king will go mu™h f—sterF

f—si™—llyD you w—nt to —n—lyze the feed˜—™k you get from — lo ™k to di—gnose its p erson—lity

tr—its —nd then use your exp erien™e to de™ide on —n —ppro—™h to op en the lo ™kF gh—pter W

dis™usses — l—rge num˜er of ™ommon tr—its —nd w—ys to exploit or over™ome themF

€eople underestim—te the —n—lyti™ skills involved in lo ™k pi™kingF „hey think th—t the

pi™king to ol op ens the lo ™kF „o them the torque wren™h is — p—ssive to ol th—t just puts the

lo ™k under the desired stressF vet me prop ose —nother w—y to view the situ—tionF „he pi™k

is just running over the pins to get inform—tion —˜ out the lo ™kF f—sed on —n —n—lysis th—t

inform—tion the torque is —djusted to m—ke the pins set —t the sheer lineF st9s the torque

wren™h th—t op ens the lo ™kF

†—rying the torque —s the pi™k moves in —nd out of the keyw—y is — gener—l tri™k th—t ™—n

˜ e used to get —round sever—l pi™king pro˜lemsF por ex—mpleD if the middle pins —re setD ˜ut

the end pins —re notD you ™—n in™re—se the torque —s the pi™k moves over the middle pinsF

„his will redu™e the ™h—n™es of distur˜ing the ™orre™tly set pinsF sf some pin do esn9t seem to

lift up f—r enough —s the pi™k p—sses over itD then try redu™ing the torque on the next p—ssF

„he skill of —djusting the torque while the pi™k is moving requires ™—reful ™o ordin—tion

˜ etween your h—ndsD ˜ut —s you ˜ e™ome ˜ etter —t visu—lizing the pro ™ess of pi™king — lo ™kD

you will ˜ e™ome ˜ etter —t this imp ort—nt skillF PP Brought to You by LockCowboy.com

gh—pter V

ixer™ises

„his ™h—pter presents — series of exer™ises th—t will help you le—rn the ˜—si™ skill of lo ™k

pi™kingF ƒome exer™ises te—™h — single skillD while others stress the ™o ordin—tion of skillsF

‡hen you do these exer™isesD fo ™us on the skillsD not on op ening the lo ™kF sf you fo ™us

on op ening the lo ™kD you will get frustr—ted —nd your mind will stop le—rningF „he go—l of

e—™h exer™ise is to le—rn something —˜ out the p—rti™ul—r lo ™k you —re holding —nd something

—˜ out yourselfF sf — lo ™k h—pp ens to op enD fo ™us on the memory of wh—t you were doing —nd

wh—t you felt just ˜ efore it op enedF

„hese exer™ises should ˜ e pr—™ti™ed in short sessionsF efter —˜ out thirty minutes you

will nd th—t your ngers ˜ e™ome sore —nd your mind lo oses its —˜ility to —™hieve rel—xed

™on™entr—tionF

VFI ixer™ise IX foun™ing the pi™k

„his exer™ise helps you le—rn the skill of —pplying — xed pressure with the pi™k indep endent

of how the pi™k moves up —nd down in the lo ™kF f—si™—lly you w—nt to le—rn how to let the

pi™k ˜ oun™e up —nd down —™™ording to the resist—n™e oered ˜y e—™h pinF

row you hold the pi™k m—kes — dieren™e on how e—sy it is to —pply — xed pressureF

‰ou w—nt to hold it in su™h — w—y th—t the pressure ™omes from your ngers or your wristF

‰our el˜ ow —nd shoulder do not h—ve the dexterity required to pi™k lo ™ksF ‡hile you —re

s™ru˜˜ing — lo ™k noti™e whi™h of your joints —re xedD —nd whi™h —re —llowed to moveF „he

moving joints —re providing the pressureF

yne w—y to hold — pi™k is to use two ngers to provide — pivot p oint while —nother nger

levers the pi™k to provide the pressureF ‡hi™h ngers you use is — m—tter of p erson—l ™hoi™eF

enother w—y to hold the pi™k is like holding — p en™ilF ‡ith this metho dD your wrist provides

the pressureF sf your wrist is providing the pressureD your shoulder —nd el˜ ow should provide

the for™e to move the pi™k in —nd out of the lo ™kF ho not use your wrist to ˜ oth move the

pi™k —nd —pply pressureF

egoodw—y to get used to the feel of the pi™k ˜ oun™ing up —nd down in the keyw—yis to

try s™ru˜˜ing over the pins of —n op en lo ™kF „he pins ™—nnot ˜ e pushed downD so the pi™k PQ Brought to You by LockCowboy.com

must —djust to the heights of the pinsF „ry to feel the pins r—ttle —s the pi™k moves over

themF sf you move the pi™k qui™klyDyou ™—n he—r the r—ttleF „his s—me r—ttling feel will help

you re™ognize when — pin is set ™orre™tlyF sf — pin —pp e—rs to ˜ e set ˜ut it do esn9t r—ttleD

then it is f—lse setF p—lse set pins ™—n ˜ e xed ˜y pushing them down f—rtherD or ˜y rele—sing

torque —nd letting them p op ˜—™k to their initi—l p ositionF

yne l—st word of —dvi™eF po™us on the tip of the pi™kF hon9t think —˜ out how you —re

moving the h—ndleY think —˜ out how you —re moving the tip of the pi™kF

VFP ixer™ise PX €i™king pressure

„his exer™ise will te—™hyou the r—nge of pressures you will need to —pply with — pi™kF ‡hen

you —re st—rtingD just —pply pressure when you —re dr—wing the pi™k out of the lo ™kF yn™e

you h—ve m—stered th—tD try —pplying pressure when the pi™k is moving inw—rdF

‡ith the —t side of your pi™kD push down on the rst pin of — lo ™kF hon9t —pply —ny

torque to the lo ™kF „he —mount of pressure you —re —pplying should ˜ e just enough to

over™ome the spring for™eF „his for™e gives you —n ide— of minimum pressure you will —pply

with — pi™kF

„he spring for™e in™re—ses —s you push the pin downF ƒee if you ™—n feel this in™re—seF

xow see how it feels to push down the other pins —s you pull the pi™k out of the lo ™kF

ƒt—rt out with ˜ oth the pi™k —nd torque wren™h in the lo ™kD ˜ut don9t —pply —ny torqueF es

you dr—w the pi™k out of the lo ™kD —pply enough pressure to push e—™h pin —ll the w—y downF

„he pins should spring ˜—™k —s the pi™k go es p—st themF xoti™e the sound th—t the pins

m—ke —s they spring ˜—™kF xoti™e the p opping feel —s — pi™k go es p—st e—™h pinF xoti™e the

springy feel —s the pi™k pushes down on e—™h new pinF

„o help you fo ™us on these sens—tionsD try ™ounting the num˜er of pins in the lo ™kF ho or

lo ™ks —t ws„ h—ve seven pinsD p—dlo ™ks usu—lly h—ve fourF

„o get —n ide— of the m—ximum pressureD use the —t side of your pi™k to push down —ll

the pins in the lo ™kF ƒometimes you will need to —pply this mu™h pressure to — single pinF

sf you en™ounter — new kind of lo ™kD p erform this exer™ise to determine the stiness of its

springsF

VFQ ixer™ise QX €i™king „orque

„his exer™ise will te—™h you the r—nge of torque you will need to —pply to — lo ™kF st demonE

str—tes the inter—™tion ˜ etween torque —nd pressure whi™h w—s des™ri˜ e in ™h—pter SF

„he minimum torque you will use is just enough to over™ome the ™tion of rot—ting the

plug in the hullF se your torque wren™h to rot—te the plug until it stopsF xoti™e how mu™h

torque is needed to move the plug ˜ efore the pins ˜indF „his for™e ™—n ˜ e quite high for

lo ™ks th—t h—ve ˜ een left out in the r—inF „he minimum torque for p—dlo ™ks in™ludes the

for™e of — spring th—t is —tt—™hed ˜ etween the plug —nd the sh—™kle ˜ oltF PR Brought to You by LockCowboy.com

„o get — feel for the m—ximum v—lue of torqueD use the —t side of the pi™k to push —ll

the pins downD —nd try —pplying enough torque to m—ke the pins st—y down —fter the pi™k is

removedF sf your torque wren™h h—s — twist in itD you m—y not ˜ e —˜le to hold down more

th—n — few pinsF

sf you use to o mu™h torque —nd to o mu™h pressure you ™—n get into — situ—tion like the

one you just ™re—tedF „he key pins —re pushed to o f—r into the hull —nd the torque is su™ient

to hold them thereF

„he r—nge of pi™king torque ™—n ˜ e found ˜y gr—du—lly in™re—sing the torque while s™ru˜E

˜ing the pins with the pi™kF ƒome of the pins will ˜ e™ome h—rder to push downF qr—du—lly

in™re—se the torque until some of the pins setF „hese pins will lo ose their springinessF ueepE

ing the torque xedD use the pi™k to s™ru˜ the pins — few times to see if other pins will

setF

„he most ™ommon mist—ke of ˜ eginners is to use to o mu™h torqueF se this exer™ise to

nd the minimum torque required to pi™k the lo ™kF

VFR ixer™ise RX sdentifying ƒet €ins

‡hile you —re pi™king — lo ™kD try to identify whi™h pins —re setF ‰ou ™—n tell — pin is set

˜ e™—use it will h—ve — slight giveF „h—t isD the pin ™—n ˜ e pushed down — short dist—n™e

with — light pressureD ˜ut it ˜ e™omes h—rd to move —fter th—t dist—n™e @see ™h—pter T for —n

expl—n—tionAF ‡hen you remove the light pressureD the pin springs ˜—™k up slightlyF ƒet pins

—lso r—ttle if you i™k them with the pi™kF „ry listening for th—t soundF

‚un the pi™k over the pins —nd try to de™ide whether the set pins —re in the front or ˜—™k

of the lo ™k @or ˜ othAF „ry identifying ex—™tly whi™h pins —re setF ‚emem˜er th—t pin one is

the frontmost pin @iFeFD the pin th—t — key tou™hes rstAF „he most imp ort—nt skill of lo ™k

pi™king is the —˜ility to re™ognize ™orre™tly set pinsF „his exer™ise will te—™hyou th—t skillF

„ry rep e—ting this exer™ise with the plug turning in the other dire™tionF sf the front pins

set when the plug is turned one w—yD the ˜—™k pins will set when the plug is turned the other

w—yF ƒee pigure TFP for —n expl—n—tionF

yne w—y to verify how m—ny pins —re set is to rele—se the torqueD —nd ™ount the ™li™ks —s

the pins sn—p ˜—™k to their initi—l p ositionF „ry thisF „ry to noti™e the dieren™e in sound

˜ etween the sn—p of — single pin —nd the sn—p of two pins —t on™eF e pin th—t h—s ˜ een f—lse

set will —lso m—ke — sn—pping soundF

„ry this exer™ise with dierent —mounts of torque —nd pressureF ‰ou should noti™e th—t

— l—rger torque requires — l—rger pressure to m—ke pins set ™orre™tlyF sf the pressure is to o

highD the pins will ˜ e j—mmed into the hull —nd st—y thereF

VFS ixer™ise SX €ro je™tion

es you —re doing the exer™ises try ˜uilding — pi™ture in your mind of wh—t is going onF „he

pi™ture do es not h—ve to ˜ e visu—lD it ™ould ˜ e — rough underst—nding of whi™h pins —re set PS Brought to You by LockCowboy.com

—nd how mu™h resist—n™e you —re en™ountering from e—™h pinF yne w—y to foster this pi™ture

˜uilding is to try to remem˜er your sens—tions —nd ˜ eliefs —˜ out — lo ™k just ˜ efore it op enedF

‡hen — lo ™k op ensD don9t think 4th—t9s over4D think 4wh—t h—pp ened4F

„his exer™ise requires — lo ™k th—t you nd e—sy to pi™kF st will help you rene the visu—l

skills you need to m—ster lo ™k pi™kingF €i™k the lo ™kD —nd try to remem˜er how the pro ™ess

feltF ‚ehe—rse in your mind howeverything feels when the lo ™k is pi™ked prop erlyF f—si™—llyD

you w—nt to ™re—te — movie th—t re™ords the pro ™ess of pi™king the lo ™kF †isu—lize the

motion of your mus™les —s they —pply the ™orre™t pressure —nd torqueD —nd feel the resist—n™e

en™ountered ˜y the pi™kF xow pi™k the lo ™k —g—in trying to m—t™h your —™tions to the movieF

fy rep e—ting this exer™iseD you —re le—rning how to formul—te det—iled ™omm—nds for your

mus™les —nd howto interpret feed˜—™k from your sensesF „he ment—l rehe—rs—l te—™hes you

how to ˜uild — visu—l underst—nding of the lo ™k —nd how to re™ognize the m— jor steps of

pi™king itF PT Brought to You by LockCowboy.com

gh—pter W

‚e™ognizing —nd ixploiting

€erson—lity „r—its

‚e—l lo ™ks h—ve — wide r—nge of me™h—ni™—l fe—tures —nd defe™ts th—t help —nd hinder lo ™k

pi™kingF sf — lo ™k do esn9t resp ond to s™ru˜˜ingD then it pro˜—˜ly h—s one of the tr—its

dis™ussed in this ™h—pterF „o op en the lo ™kD you must di—gnose the tr—it —nd —pply the

re™ommended te™hniqueF „he exer™ises will help you develop the me™h—ni™—l sensitivity —nd

dexterity ne™ess—ry to re™ognize —nd exploit the dierent tr—itsF

WFI ‡hi™h‡—y„o„urn

st ™—n ˜ e very frustr—ting to sp end — long time pi™king — lo ™k —nd then dis™over th—t you

turned the plug the wrong w—yF sf you turn — plug the wrong w—y it will rot—te freely until it

hits — stopD or until it rot—tes IVH degrees —nd the drivers enter the keyw—y @see se™tion WFIIAF

ƒe™tion WFII —lso expl—ins how to turn the plug more th—n IVH degrees if th—t is ne™ess—ry

to fully retr—™t the ˜ oltF ‡hen the plug is turned in the ™orre™t dire™tionD you should feel

—n extr— resist—n™e when the plug ™—m eng—ges the ˜ olt springF

„he dire™tion to turn the plug dep ends on the ˜ olt me™h—nismD not on the lo ™kD ˜ut here

—re some gener—l rulesF ghe—p p—dlo ™ks will op en if the plug is turned in either dire™tionD so

you ™—n ™hose the dire™tion whi™h is ˜ est for the torque wren™hF ell p—dlo ™ks m—de ˜y the

w—ster ™omp—ny ™—n ˜ e op ened in either dire™tionF €—dlo™ks m—de ˜y‰—le will only op en if

the plug is turned ™lo ™kwiseF „he dou˜le plug ‰—le ™ylinder lo ™ks gener—lly op en ˜y turning

the ˜ ottom of the keyw—y @iFeFD the —t edge of the keyA —w—y from the ne—rest do orfr—meF

ƒingle plug ™ylinder lo ™ks —lso follow this ruleF ƒee pigure WFIF vo ™ks ˜uilt into the do orkno˜

usu—lly op en ™lo ™kwiseF hesk —nd ling ™—˜inet lo ™ks —lso tend to op en ™lo ™kwiseF

‡hen you en™ounter — new kind of lo ™k me™h—nismD try turning the plug in ˜ oth dire™E

tionsF sn the ™orre™t dire™tionD the plug will ˜ e stopp ed ˜y the pinsD so the stop will feel

mushy when you use he—vy torqueF sn the wrong dire™tion the plug will ˜ e stopp ed ˜y—

met—l t—˜D so the stop will feel solidF PU Brought to You by LockCowboy.com

pigure WFIX hire™tion to turn plug PV Brought to You by LockCowboy.com

WFP rowp—r to „urn

„he ™omp—nion question to whi™h w—y to turn — lo ™k is how f—r to turn itF hesk —nd ling

™—˜inet lo ™ks gener—lly op en with less th—n — qu—rter turn @WH degreesA of the plugF ‡hen

op ening — desk lo ™k try to —void h—ving the plug lo ™k in the op en p ositionF vo ™ks ˜uilt into

do orkno˜s —lso tend to op en with less th—n — qu—rter turnF vo ™ks whi™h —re sep—r—te from

the do orkno˜ tend to require — h—lf turn to op enF he—d˜ olt lo ™k me™h—nisms ™—n require

—lmost — full turn to op enF

„urning — lo ™k more th—n IVH degrees is — di™ult ˜ e™—use the drivers enter the ˜ ottom

of the keyw—yF ƒee se™tion WFIIF

WFQ qr—vity

€i™king — lo ™k th—t h—s the springs —t the top is dierent th—n pi™king one with the springs

—t the ˜ ottomF st should ˜ e o˜vious how to tell the two —p—rtF „he ni™e fe—ture of — lo ™k

with the springs —t the ˜ ottom is th—t gr—vity holds the key pins down on™e they setF ‡ith

the set pins out of the w—yD it is e—sy to nd —nd m—nipul—te the rem—ining unset pinsF st is

—lso str—ight forw—rd to test for the slight give of — ™orre™tly set pinF ‡hen the springs —re

on topD gr—vity will pull the key pins down —fter the driver pin ™—t™hes —t the sheer lineF sn

this ™—seD you ™—n identify the set pins ˜y noti™ing th—t the key pin is e—sy to lift —nd th—t it

do es not feel springyF ƒet pins —lso r—ttle —s you dr—w the pi™k over them ˜ e™—use they —re

not ˜ eing pushed down ˜y the driver pinF

WFR €ins xot ƒetting

sf you s™ru˜ — lo ™k —nd pins —re not setting even when you v—ry the torqueD then some pin

h—s f—lse set —nd it is keeping the rest of the pins from settingF gonsider — lo ™k whose pins

prefer to set from ˜—™k to frontF sf the ˜—™kmost pin f—lse sets high or low @see pigure WFPAD

then the plug ™—nnot rot—te enough to —llow the other pins to ˜indF st is h—rd to re™ognize

th—t — ˜—™k pin h—s f—lse set ˜ e™—use the springiness of the front pins m—kes it h—rd to sense

the sm—ll give of — ™orre™tly set ˜—™k pinF „he m—in symptom of this situ—tion is th—t the

other pins will not set unless — very l—rge torque is —ppliedF

‡hen you en™ounter this situ—tionD rele—se the torque —nd st—rt over ˜y ™on™entr—ting

on the ˜—™k pinsF „ry — light torque —nd mo der—te pressureD or he—vy torque —nd he—vy

pressureF „ry to feel for the ™li™k th—t h—pp ens when — pin re—™hes the sheer line —nd the

plug rot—tes slightlyF „he ™li™k will ˜ e e—sier to feel if you use — sti torque wren™hF

WFS il—sti™ heform—tion

„he interesting events of lo ™k pi™king h—pp en over dist—n™es me—sured in thous—ndths of —n

in™hF yver su™h short dist—n™esD met—ls ˜ eh—ve like springsF †ery little for™e is ne™ess—ry PW Brought to You by LockCowboy.com

to dee™t — pie™e met—l over those dist—n™esD —nd when the for™e is removedD the met—l will

spring ˜—™k to its origin—l p ositionF

heform—tion ™—n ˜ e used to your —dv—nt—ge if you w—nt to for™e sever—l pins to ˜ind —t

on™eF por ex—mpleD pi™king — lo ™k with pins th—t prefer to set from front to ˜—™k is slow

˜ e™—use the pins set one —t — timeF „his is p—rti™ul—rly true if you only —pply pressure —s

the pi™k is dr—wn out of the lo ™kF i—™h p—ss of the pi™k will only set the frontmost pin th—t

is ˜indingF xumerous p—sses —re required to set —ll the pinsF sf the preferen™e for setting is

not very strong @iFeFD the —xis of the plug holes is only slightly skewed from the plug9s ™enter

lineAD then you ™—n ™—use —ddition—l pins to ˜ind ˜y —pplying extr— torqueF f—si™—llyD the

torque puts — twist in the plug th—t ™—uses the front of the plug to ˜ e dee™ted further th—n

the ˜—™k of the plugF ‡ith light torqueD the ˜—™k of the plug st—ys in its initi—l p ositionD ˜ut

with medium to he—vy torqueD the front pin ™olumns ˜ end enough to —llow the ˜—™k of the

plug to rot—te —nd thus ™—use the ˜—™k pins to ˜indF ‡ith the extr— torqueD — single stroke

of the pi™k ™—n set sever—l pinsD —nd the lo ™k ™—n ˜ e op ened qui™klyF„oo mu™h torque ™—uses

its own pro˜lemsF

‡hen the torque is l—rgeD the front pins —nd plug holes ™—n ˜ e deformed enough to prevent

the pins from setting ™orre™tlyF sn p—rti™ul—rD the rst pin tends to f—lse set lowF pigure WFP

shows how ex™ess torque ™—n deform the ˜ ottom of the driver pin —nd prevent the key pin

from re—™hing the sheer lineF „his situ—tion ™—n ˜ e re™ognized ˜y the l—™k of give in the

rst pinF gorre™tly set pins feel springy if they —re pressed down slightlyF e f—lsely set pin

l—™ks this springinessF „he solution is to press down h—rd on the rst pinF ‰ou m—y w—ntto

redu™e the torque slightlyD ˜ut if you redu™e torque to o mu™h then other pins will unset —s

the rst pin is ˜ eing depressedF

st is —lso p ossi˜le to deform the top of the key pinF „he key pin is s™issored ˜ etween the

plug —nd the hull —nd st—ys xedF ‡hen this h—pp ensD the pin is s—id to ˜ e f—lse set highF

WFT vo ose €lug

„he plug is held into the hull ˜y ˜ eing wider —t the front —nd ˜yh—ving — ™—m on the ˜—™k

th—t is ˜igger th—n the hole drilled into the hullF sf the ™—m is not prop erly inst—lledD the

plug ™—n move in —nd out of the lo ™k slightlyF yn the outw—rd stroke of the pi™kD the plug

will move forw—rdD —nd if you —pply pressure on the inw—rd strokeD the plug will ˜ e pushed

˜—™kF

„he pro˜lem with — lo ose plug is th—t the driver pins tend to set on the ˜—™k of the plug

holes r—ther th—n on the sides of the holesF ‡hen you push the plug inD the drivers will

unsetF ‰ou ™—n use this defe™t to your —dv—nt—ge ˜y only —pplying pressure on the outw—rd

or inw—rd stroke of the pi™kF eltern—tivelyD you ™—n use your nger or torque wren™hto

prevent the plug from moving forw—rdF QH Brought to You by LockCowboy.com

pigure WFPX hriver pin f—lse set ˜y el—sti™ deform—tion QI Brought to You by LockCowboy.com

WFU €in hi—meter

‡hen the p—ir of pins in — p—rti™ul—r ™olumn h—ve dierent di—metersD th—t ™olumn will re—™t

str—ngely to the pressure of the pi™kF

„he top h—lf of pigure WFQ shows — pin ™olumn with — driver pin th—t h—s — l—rger di—meter

th—n the key pinF es the pins —re liftedD the pi™king pressure is resisted ˜y the ˜inding fri™tion

—nd the spring for™eF yn™e the driver ™le—rs the sheer lineD the plug rot—tes @until some other

pin ˜indsA —nd the only resist—n™e to motion is the spring for™eF sf the key pin is sm—ll enough

—nd the plug did not rot—te very f—rD the key pin ™—n enter the hull without ™olliding with

the edge of the hullF ƒome other pin is ˜indingD so —g—in the only resist—n™e to motion is the

spring for™eF „his rel—tionship is gr—phed in the ˜ ottom h—lf of the pigureF f—si™—llyD the

pins feel norm—l —t rstD ˜ut then the lo ™k ™li™ks —nd the pin ˜ e™omes springyF „he n—rrow

key pin ™—n ˜ e pushed —ll the w—y into the hull without lo osing its springinessD ˜ut when the

pi™king pressure is rele—sedD the key pin will f—ll ˜—™k to its initi—l p osition while the l—rge

driver ™—t™hes on the edge of the plug holeF

„he pro˜lem with — l—rge driver pin is th—t the key pin tends to get stu™k in the hull

when some other pin setsF sm—gine th—t — neigh˜oring pin sets —nd the plug rot—tes enough

to ˜ind the n—rrow key pinF sf the pi™k w—s pressing down on the n—rrow key pin —t the s—me

time —s it w—s pressing down on the pin th—t setD then the n—rrow key pin will ˜ e in the hull

—nd it will get stu™k there when the plug rot—tesF

„he ˜ eh—vior of — l—rge key pin is left —s —n exer™ise for the re—derF

WFV feveled roles —nd ‚ounded pins

ƒome lo ™k m—nuf—™turers @eFgFD ‰—leA ˜ evel the edges of the plug holes —ndGor round o

the ends of the key pinsF „his tends to redu™e the we—r on the lo ™k —nd it ™—n ˜ oth help

—nd hinder lo ™k pi™kingF ‰ou ™—n re™ognize — lo ™k with these fe—tures ˜y the l—rge givein

set pinsF ƒee pigure WFRF „h—t isD the dist—n™e ˜ etween the height —t whi™h the driver pin

™—t™hes on the edge of the plug hole —nd the height —t whi™h the key pin hits the hull is l—rger

@sometimes —s l—rge —s — sixteenth of —n in™hA when the plug holes —re ˜ eveled or the pins

—re roundedF ‡hile the key pin is moving ˜ etween those two heightsD the only resist—n™e to

motion will ˜ e the for™e of the springF „here won9t ˜ e —ny ˜inding fri™tionF „his ™orresp onds

to the dip in the for™e gr—ph shown in pigure SFSF

e lo ™k with ˜ eveled plug holes requires more s™ru˜˜ing to op en th—n — lo ™k without

˜ eveled holes ˜ e™—use the driver pins set on the ˜ evel inste—d of setting on the top of the

plugF „he plug will not turn if one of the drivers is ™—ughton —˜evelF „he key pin must

˜ e s™ru˜˜ ed —g—in to push the driver pin up —nd o the ˜ evelF „he left driver pin in pigure

WFT— is setF „he driver is resting on the ˜ evelD —nd the ˜ ottom pl—te h—s moved enough to

—llow the right driver to ˜indF pigure WFT˜ shows wh—t h—pp ens —fter the right driver pin

setsF „he ˜ ottom pl—te slides further to the right —nd now the left driver pin is s™issored

˜ etween the ˜ evel —nd the top pl—teF st is ™—ught on the ˜ evelF „o op en the lo ™kD the left

driver pin must ˜ e pushed up —˜ ove the ˜ evelF yn™e th—t driver is freeD the ˜ ottom pl—te QP Brought to You by LockCowboy.com

pigure WFQX hriver pin wider th—n key pin QQ Brought to You by LockCowboy.com

pigure WFRX feveled plug holes —nd rounded key pins

™—n slide —nd the right driver m—y ˜ind on its ˜ evelF

sf you en™ounter — lo ™k with ˜ eveled plug holesD —nd —ll the pins —pp e—r to ˜ e set ˜ut the

lo ™k is not op eningD you should redu™e torque —nd ™ontinue s™ru˜˜ing over the pinsF „he

redu™ed torque will m—ke it e—sier to push the drivers o the ˜ evelsF sf pins unset when you

redu™e the torqueD try in™re—sing the torque —nd the pi™king pressureF „he pro˜lem with

in™re—sing the for™e is th—t you m—y j—m some key pins into the hullF

WFW wushro om hriver €ins

e gener—l tri™k th—t lo ™k m—kers use to m—ke pi™king h—rder is to mo dify the sh—p e of

the driver pinF „he most p opul—r sh—p es —re mushroomD sp o ol —nd serr—tedD see pigure

WFUF „he purp ose of these sh—p es is to ™—use the pins to f—lse set lowF „hese drivers stop —

pi™king te™hnique ™—lled vi˜r—tion pi™king @see se™tion WFIPAD ˜ut they only slightly ™ompli™—te

s™ru˜˜ing —nd oneEpinE—tE—Etime pi™king @see ™h—pter RAF

sf you pi™k — lo ™k —nd the plug stops turning —fter — few degrees —nd none of the pins QR Brought to You by LockCowboy.com

pigure WFSX @—A hriversets on ˜ evel

pigure WFTX @˜A hriver j—ms on ˜ evel QS Brought to You by LockCowboy.com

™—n ˜ e pushed up —ny furtherD then you known th—t the lo ™k h—s mo died driversF f—si™—llyD

the lip of the driver h—s ™—ught —t the sheer lineF ƒee the ˜ ottom of pigure WFUF wushro om

—nd sp o ol drivers —re often found in ‚usswin lo ™ksD —nd lo ™ks th—t h—ve sever—l sp—™ers for

m—ster keyingF

‰ou ™—n identify the p ositions with mushroom drivers ˜y —pplying — light torque —nd

pushing up on e—™h pinF „he pins with mushroom drivers will exhi˜it — tenden™y to ˜ring

the plug ˜—™k to the fully lo ™ked p ositionF fy pushing the key pin up you —re pushing the

—t top of the key pin —g—inst the tilted ˜ ottom of the mushroom driverF „his ™—uses the

driver to str—ighten up whi™h in turn ™—uses the plug to unrot—teF ‰ou ™—n use this motion

to identify the ™olumns th—t h—vemushro om driversF €ush those pins up to sheer lineY even

if you lose some of the other pins in the pro ™ess they will ˜ e e—sier to reEpi™k th—n the pins

with mushroom driversF iventu—lly —ll the pins will ˜ e ™orre™tly set —t the sheer lineF

yne w—y to identify —ll the p ositions with mushroom drivers is to use the —t of your pi™k

to push —ll the pins up —˜ out h—lfw—yF „his should put most of the drivers in their ™o ™k—˜le

p osition —nd you ™—n feel for themF

„o pi™k — lo ™k with mo died driversD use — lighter torque —nd he—vier pressureF ‰ou w—nt

to error on the side of pushing the key pins to o f—r into the hullF sn f—™tD —nother w—yto

pi™k these lo ™ks is to use the —t side of your pi™k to push the pins up —ll the w—yD —nd —pply

very he—vy torque to hold them thereF se — s™ru˜˜ing —™tion to vi˜r—te the key pins while

you slowly redu™e the torqueF ‚edu™ing the torque redu™es the ˜inding fri™tion on the pinsF

„he vi˜r—tion —nd spring for™e ™—use the key pins to slide down to the sheer lineF

„he key to pi™king lo ™ks with mo died drivers is re™ognizing in™orre™tly set pinsF e

mushroom driver set on its lip will not h—ve the springy give of — ™orre™tly set driverF

€r—™ti™e re™ognizing the dieren™eF

WFIH w—ster ueys

w—ny —ppli™—tions require keys th—t op en only — single lo ™k —nd keys th—t op en — group

of lo ™ksF „he keys th—t op en — single lo ™k —re ™—lled ™h—nge keys —nd the keys th—t op en

multiple lo ™ks —re ™—lled m—ster keysF„o —llow ˜ oth the ™h—nge key —nd the m—ster key to

op en the s—me lo ™kD — lo ™ksmith —dds —n extr— pin ™—lled — sp—™er to some of the pin ™olumnsF

ƒee pigure WFVF „he ee™t of the sp—™er is to ™re—te two g—ps in the pin ™olumn th—t ™ould

˜ e lined up with the sheer lineF su—lly the ™h—nge key —ligns the top of the sp—™er with the

sheer lineD —nd the m—ster key —ligns the ˜ ottom of the sp—™er with the sheer line @the ide—

is to prevent p eople from ling down — ™h—nge key to get — m—ster keyAF sn either ™—se the

plug is free to rot—teF

sn gener—lD sp—™ers m—ke — lo ™k e—sier to pi™kF „hey in™re—se the num˜er of opp ortunities

to set e—™h pinD —nd they m—ke it more likely th—t the lo ™k ™—n op ened ˜y setting the —ll the

pins —t —˜ out the s—me heightF sn most ™—ses only two or three p ositions will h—ve sp—™ersF

‰ou ™—n re™ognize — p osition with — sp—™er ˜y the two ™li™ks you feel when the pin is pushed

downF sf the sp—™er h—s — sm—ller di—meter th—n the driver —nd key pinsD then you will feel —

wide springy region ˜ e™—use the sp—™er will not ˜ind —s it p—sses through the sheer lineF st is QT Brought to You by LockCowboy.com

pigure WFUX wushro omD sp o olD —nd serr—ted driver pins QU Brought to You by LockCowboy.com

pigure WFVX ƒp—™er pins for m—ster keying

more ™ommon for the sp—™er to ˜ e l—rger th—n the driver pinF ‰ou ™—n re™ognize this ˜y —n

in™re—se in fri™tion when the sp—™er p—sses through the sheer lineF ƒin™e the sp—™er is l—rger

th—n the driver pinD it will —lso ™—t™h ˜ etter on the plugF sf you push the sp—™er further into

the hullD you will feel — strong ™li™k when the ˜ ottom of the sp—™er ™le—rs the sheer lineF

„hin sp—™ers ™—n ™—use serious pro˜lemsF sf you —pply he—vy torque —nd the plug h—s

˜ eveled holesD the sp—™er ™—n twist —nd j—m —t the sheer lineF st is —lso p ossi˜le for the sp—™er

to f—ll into the keyw—y if the plug is rot—ted IVH degreesF ƒee se™tion WFII for the solution to

this pro˜lemF

WFII hriver or ƒp—™er inters ueyw—y

pigure WFW shows how — sp—™er or driver pin ™—n enter the keyw—y when the plug is rot—ted

IVH degreesF ‰ou ™—n prevent this ˜y pl—™ing the —t side of your pi™k in the ˜ ottom of the

keyw—y ˜ efore you turn the plug to o f—rF sf — sp—™er or driver do es enter the keyw—y —nd

prevent you from turning the plugD use the —t side of you pi™k to push the sp—™er ˜—™k into QV Brought to You by LockCowboy.com

pigure WFWX ƒp—™er or driver ™—n enter keyw—y

the hullF ‰ou m—y need to use the torque wren™h to relieve—ny sheer for™e th—t is ˜inding

the sp—™er or driverF sf th—t do esn9t work try r—king over the drivers with the p ointed side

of your pi™kF sf — sp—™er f—lls into the keyw—y ™ompletelyD the only option is to remove itF e

ho ok sh—p ed pie™e of spring steel works well for thisD though — ˜ ent p—p er™lip will work just

—s well unless the sp—™er ˜ e™omes wedgedF

WFIP †i˜r—tion €i™king

†i˜r—tion pi™king works ˜y ™re—ting — l—rge g—p ˜ etween the key —nd driver pinsF „he

underlying prin™iple is f—mili—r to —nyone who h—s pl—yed p o olF ‡hen the queue ˜—ll strikes

—nother ˜—ll squ—relyD the queue ˜—ll stops —nd the other ˜—ll he—ds o with the s—me sp eed

—nd dire™tion —s the queue ˜—llF xow im—gine — devi™e th—t ki™ks the tips of —ll the key pinsF

„he key pins would tr—nsfer their momentum to the driver pins whi™hwould y up into the

hullF sf you —re —pplying — light torque when this h—pp ensD the plug will rot—te when —ll the QW Brought to You by LockCowboy.com

drivers —re —˜ ove the sheer lineF

WFIQ hisk „um˜lers

„he inexp ensive lo ™ks found on desks use met—l disks inste—d of pinsF pigure WFIH shows the

˜—si™ workings of these lo ™ksF „he disks h—ve the s—me outline ˜ut dier in the pl—™ement

of the re™t—ngul—r ™utF

„hese lo ™ks —re e—sy to pi™k with the right to olsF fe™—use the disks —re pl—™ed ™lose

together — h—lfEround pi™k works ˜ etter th—n — h—lfEdi—mond pi™k @see pigure eFIAF ‰ou m—y

—lso need — torque wren™h with — n—rrower he—dF se mo der—te to he—vy torqueF RH Brought to You by LockCowboy.com

pigure WFIHX ‡orkings of — disk tum˜ler lo ™k RI Brought to You by LockCowboy.com

gh—pter IH

pin—l ‚em—rks

vo ™k pi™king is — ™r—ftD not — s™ien™eF „his do ™ument presents the knowledge —nd skills th—t

—re essenti—l to lo ™k pi™kingD ˜ut more imp ort—ntly it provides you with mo dels —nd exer™ises

th—t will help you study lo ™ks on your ownF „o ex™el —t lo ™k pi™kingD you must pr—™ti™e —nd

develop — style whi™h ts you p erson—llyF ‚emem˜er th—t the ˜ est te™hnique is the one th—t

works ˜ est for youF RP Brought to You by LockCowboy.com

epp endix e

„o ols

„his —pp endix des™ri˜ es the design —nd ™onstru™tion of lo ™k pi™king to olsF

eFI €i™k ƒh—p es

€i™ks ™ome in sever—l sh—p es —nd sizesF pigure eFI shows the most ™ommon sh—p esF „he

h—ndle —nd t—ng of — pi™k —re the s—me for —ll pi™ksF „he h—ndle must ˜ e ™omfort—˜le —nd

the t—ng must ˜ e thin enough to —void ˜umping pins unne™ess—rilyF sf the t—ng is to o thinD

then it will —™t like — spring —nd you will lo ose the feel of the tip inter—™ting with the pinsF

„he sh—p e of the tip determines how e—sily the pi™k p—sses over the pins —nd wh—t kind of

feed˜—™k you get from e—™h pinF

„he design of — tip is — ™ompromise ˜ etween e—se of insertionD e—se of withdr—w—l —nd feel

of the inter—™tionF „he h—lf di—mond tip with sh—llow —ngles is e—sy to insert —nd removeD

so you ™—n —pply pressure when the pi™k is moving in either dire™tionF st ™—n qui™kly pi™k—

lo ™k th—t h—s little v—ri—tion in the lengths of the key pinsF sf the lo ™k requires — key th—t

h—s — deep ™ut ˜ etween two sh—llow ™utsD the pi™k m—y not ˜ e —˜le to push the middle pin

down f—r enoughF „he h—lf di—mond pi™k with steep —ngles ™ould de—l with su™h — lo ™kD —nd

in gener—l steep —ngles give you ˜ etter feed˜—™k —˜ out the pinsF nfortun—telyD the steep

—ngles m—ke it h—rder to move the pi™k in the lo ™kF e tip th—t h—s — sh—llow front —ngle —nd

— steep ˜—™k —ngle works well for ‰—le lo ™ksF

„he h—lf round tip works well in disk tum˜ler lo ™ksF ƒee se™tion WFIQF „he full di—mond

—nd full round tips —re useful for lo ™ks th—t h—ve pins —t the top —nd ˜ ottom of the keyw—yF

„he r—ke tip is designed for pi™king pins one ˜y oneF st ™—n —lso ˜ e used to r—ke over

the pinsD ˜ut the pressure ™—n only ˜ e —pplied —s the pi™k is withdr—wnF „he r—ke tip —llows

you to ™—refully feel e—™h pin —nd —pply v—rying —mounts of pressureF ƒome r—ke tips —re —t

or dented on the top to m—kes it e—sier to —lign the pi™k on the pinF „he prim—ry ˜ enet

of pi™king pins one —t — time is th—t you —void s™r—t™hing the pinsF ƒ™ru˜˜ing s™r—t™hes the

tips of the pins —nd the keyw—yD —nd it spre—ds met—l dust throughout the lo ™kF sf you w—nt

to —void le—ving tr—™esD you must —void s™ru˜˜ingF

„he sn—ke tip ™—n ˜ e used for s™ru˜˜ing or pi™kingF ‡hen s™ru˜˜ingD the multiple ˜umps RQ Brought to You by LockCowboy.com

gener—te more —™tion th—n — regul—r pi™kF „he sn—ke tip is p—rti™ul—rly go o d —t op ening ve

pin household lo ™ksF ‡hen — sn—ke tip is used for pi™kingD it ™—n set two or three pins —t

on™eF f—si™—llyD the sn—ke pi™k —™ts like — segment of — key whi™h ™—n ˜ e —djusted ˜y lifting

—nd lowering the tipD ˜y tilting it ˜—™k —nd forthD —nd ˜y using either to top or ˜ ottom of

the tipF ‰ou should use mo der—te to he—vy torque with — sn—ke pi™k to —llow sever—l pins to

˜ind —t the s—me timeF „his style of pi™king is f—ster th—n using — r—ke —nd it le—ves —s little

eviden™eF

eFP ƒtreet ™le—ner ˜ristles

„he spring steel ˜ristles used on street ™le—ners m—ke ex™ellent to ols for lo ™k pi™kingF „he

˜ristles h—ve the right thi™kness —nd widthD —nd they —re e—sy to grind into the desired sh—p eF

„he resulting to ols —re springy —nd strongF ƒe™tion eFQ des™ri˜ es how to m—ke to ols th—t

—re less springyF

„he rst step in m—king to ols is to s—nd o —ny rust on the ˜ristlesF gourse grit s—nd

p—p er works ne —s do es — steel wool ™le—ning p—d @not ™opp er woolAF sf the edges or tip of

the ˜ristle —re worn downD use — le to m—ke them squ—reF

e torque wren™h h—s — he—d —nd — h—ndle —s shown in gure eFPF „he he—d is usu—lly

IGP to QGR of —n in™h long —nd the h—ndle v—ries from P to R in™hes longF „he he—d —nd the

h—ndle —re sep—r—ted ˜y — ˜ end th—t is —˜ out VH degreesF „he he—d must ˜ e long enough

to re—™hover —ny protrusions @su™h —s — gripEpro of ™oll—rA —nd rmly eng—ge the plugF e

long h—ndle —llows deli™—te ™ontrol over the torqueD ˜ut if it is to o longD it will ˜ump —g—inst

the do orfr—meF „he h—ndleD he—d —nd ˜ end —ngle ™—n ˜ e m—de quite sm—ll if you w—ntto

m—ke to ols th—t —re e—sy to ™on™e—l @eFgFD in — p enD —shlightD or ˜ elt ˜u™kleAF ƒome torque

wren™hes h—ve — WH degree twist in the h—ndleF „he twist m—kes it e—sy to ™ontrol the torque

˜y ™ontrolling how f—r the h—ndle h—s ˜ een dee™ted from its rest p ositionF „he h—ndle —™ts

—s — spring whi™h sets the torqueF „he dis—dv—nt—ge of this metho d of setting the torque is

th—t you get less feed˜—™k —˜ out the rot—tion of the plugF „o pi™k di™ult lo ™ks you will

need to le—rn how to —pply — ste—dy torque vi— — sti h—ndled torque wren™hF

„he width of the he—d of — torque wren™h determines how well it will t the keyw—yF

vo ™ks with n—rrow keyw—ys @eFgFD desk lo ™ksA need torque wren™hes with n—rrow he—dsF

fefore ˜ ending the ˜ristleD le the he—d to the desired widthF e gener—l purp ose wren™h ™—n

˜ e m—de ˜y n—rrowing the tip @—˜ out IGR in™hA of the he—dF „he tip ts sm—ll keyw—ys while

the rest of the he—d is wide enough to gr—˜ — norm—l keyw—yF

„he h—rd p—rt of m—king — torque wren™h is ˜ ending the ˜ristle without ™r—™king itF „o

m—ke the WH degree h—ndle twistD ™l—mp the he—d of the ˜ristle @—˜ out one in™hA in — vise

—nd use pliers to gr—sp the ˜ristle —˜ out QGV of —n in™h—˜ove the viseF ‰ou ™—n use —nother

p—ir of pliers inste—d of — viseF epply — RS degree twistF „ry to keep the —xis of the twist

lined up with the —xis of the ˜ristleF xowmove the pliers ˜—™k —nother QGV in™h —nd —pply

the rem—ining RS degreesF ‰ou will need to twist the ˜ristle more th—n WH degrees in order

to set — p erm—nent WH degree twistF

„o m—ke the VH degree he—d ˜ endD lift the ˜ristle out of the vise ˜y —˜ out IGR in™h @so RR Brought to You by LockCowboy.com

pigure eFIX ƒele™tion of pi™k sh—p es RS Brought to You by LockCowboy.com

QGR in™h is still in the viseAF €l—™e the sh—nk of — s™rew driver —g—inst the ˜ristle —nd ˜ end

the spring steel —round it —˜ out WH degreesF „his should set — p erm—nent VH degree ˜ end in

the met—lF „ry to keep the —xis of the ˜ end p erp endi™ul—r to the h—ndleF „he s™rewdriver

sh—nk ensures th—t the r—dius of ™urv—ture will not ˜ e to o sm—llF eny rounded o˜ je™t will

work @eFgFD drill ˜itD needle nose pliersD or — p en ™—pAF sf you h—ve trou˜le with this metho dD

try gr—sping the ˜ristle with two pliers sep—r—ted ˜y —˜ out IGP in™h —nd ˜ endF „his metho d

pro du™es — gentle ™urve th—t won9t ˜re—k the ˜ristleF

e grinding wheel will gre—tly sp eed the jo˜ of m—king — pi™kF st t—kes — ˜it of pr—™ti™e

to le—rn how m—ke smo oth ™uts with — grinding wheelD ˜ut it t—kes less time to pr—™ti™e —nd

m—ke two or three pi™ks th—n it do es to h—nd le — single pi™kF „he rst step is to ™ut the

front —ngle of the pi™kF se the front of the wheel to do thisF rold the ˜ristle —t RS degrees

to the wheel —nd move the ˜ristle side to side —s you grind —w—y the met—lF qrind slowly

to —void overhe—ting the met—lD whi™h m—kes it ˜rittleF sf the met—l ™h—nges ™olor @to d—rk

˜lueAD you h—veoverhe—ted itD —nd you should grind —w—y the ™olored p ortionF xextD ™ut

the ˜—™k —ngle of the tip using the ™orner of the wheelF su—lly one ™orner is sh—rp er th—n

the otherD —nd you should use th—t oneF rold the pi™k —t the desired —ngle —nd slowly push

it into the ™orner of the wheelF „he side of the stone should ™ut the ˜—™k —ngleF fe sure

th—t the tip of the pi™k is supp ortedF sf the grinding wheel st—ge is not ™lose enough to the

wheel to supp ort the tipD use needle nose pliers to hold the tipF „he ™ut should should p—ss

though —˜ out PGQ of the width of the ˜ristleF sf the tip ™—me out wellD ™ontinueF ytherwise

˜re—k it o —nd try —g—inF ‰ou ™—n ˜re—k the ˜ristle ˜y ™l—mping it into — vise —nd ˜ ending

it sh—rplyF

„he ™orner of the wheel is —lso used to grind the t—ng of the pi™kF €ut — s™r—t™h m—rk

to indi™—te how f—r ˜—™k the t—ng should goF „he t—ng should ˜ e long enough to —llow the

tip to p—ss over the ˜—™k pin of — seven pin lo ™kF gut the t—ng ˜y m—king sever—l smo oth

p—sses over the ™ornerF i—™h p—ss st—rts —t the tip —nd moves to the s™r—t™h m—rkF „ry to

remove less th—n — IGITth of —n in™h of met—l with e—™h p—ssF s use two ngers to hold the

˜ristle on the st—ge —t the prop er —ngle while my other h—nd pushes the h—ndle of the pi™k

to move the t—ng —long the ™ornerF se wh—tever te™hnique works ˜ est for youF

se — h—nd le to nish the pi™kF st should feel smo oth if you run — nger n—il over itF

eny roughness will —dd noise to the feed˜—™k you w—nt to get from the lo ™kF

„he outer she—th of phone ™—˜le ™—n ˜ e used —s — h—ndle for the pi™kF ‚emove three or

four of the wires from — length of ™—˜le —nd push it over the pi™kF sf the she—th won9t st—y

in pl—™eD you ™—n put some ep oxy on the h—ndle ˜ efore pushing the she—th over itF

eFQ fi™y™le sp okes

en —ltern—tive to m—king to ols out of street ™le—ner ˜ristles is to m—ke them out of n—ils —nd

˜i™y™le sp okesF „hese m—teri—ls —re e—sily —™™essi˜le —nd when they —re he—t tre—tedD they

will ˜ e stronger th—n to ols m—de from ˜ristlesF

e strong torque wren™h ™—n ˜ e ™onstru™ted from —n VEp enny n—il @—˜ out FI in™h di—meterAF

pirst he—t up the p oint with — prop—ne tor™h until it glows redD slowly remove it from the RT Brought to You by LockCowboy.com

pigure eFPX „orque wren™hes

—meD —nd let it —ir ™o olY this softens itF „he ˜urner of — g—s stove ™—n ˜ e used inste—d of

— tor™hF qrind it down into the sh—p e of — skinny s™rewdriver ˜l—de —nd ˜ end it to —˜ out

VH degreesF „he ˜ end should ˜ e less th—n — right —ngle ˜ e™—use some lo ™k f—™es —re re™essed

˜ ehind — pl—te @™—lled —n es™ut™heonA —nd you w—nt the he—d of the wren™h to ˜ e —˜le to

re—™h —˜ out h—lf —n in™h into the plugF „emper @h—rdenA the torque wren™h ˜y he—ting to

˜right or—nge —nd dunking it into i™e w—terF ‰ou will wind up with — virtu—lly indestru™ti˜le

˜ ent s™rewdriver th—t will l—st for ye—rs under ˜rut—l useF

fi™y™le sp okes m—ke ex™ellent pi™ksF fend one to the sh—p e you w—nt —nd le the sides of

the ˜usiness end —t su™h th—t it9s strong in the verti™—l —nd exy in the horizont—l dire™tionF

„ry — rightE—ngle hunk —˜ out —n in™h long for — h—ndleF por sm—ller pi™ksD whi™h you need

for those re—lly tiny keyw—ysD nd —ny l—rgeEdi—meter spring —nd un˜end itF sf you9re ™—reful

you don9t h—ve to pl—y —ny met—llurgi™—l g—mesF

eFR fri™k ƒtr—p

por p erfe™tly servi™e—˜le key ˜l—nks th—t you ™—n9t otherwise nd —t the storeD use the met—l

str—p they wr—p —round ˜ri™ks for shippingF st9s wonderfully h—ndy stu for just —˜ out

—nything you w—nt to m—nuf—™tureF „o get —round side w—rds in the keyw—yD you ™—n ˜ end

the str—p lengthwise ˜y ™l—mping it in — vi™e —nd t—pping on the protruding p—rt to ˜ end

the pie™e to the required —ngleF

fri™k str—p is very h—rdF st ™—n ruin — grinding wheel or key ™utting m—™hineF e h—nd

le is the re™ommended to ol for milling ˜ri™k str—pF RU Brought to You by LockCowboy.com

epp endix f

veg—l sssues

gontr—ry to widespre—d mythD it is not — felony to p ossess lo ™kpi™ksF i—™h st—te h—s its own

l—ws with resp e™t to su™h ˜urgl—rious instrumentsF rere is the w—ss—™husetts version quoted

in entirety from the m—ss—™husetts gener—l ™o deX

gh—pter PTT @™rimes —g—inst prop ertyA

ƒe™tion RWF furgl—rious instrumentsY m—kingY p ossessionY useF

‡ho ever m—kes or mendsD or ˜ egins to m—ke or mendD or knowingly h—s in

his p ossessionD —n engineD m—™hineD to ol or implement —d—pted —nd designed for

™utting throughD for™ing or ˜re—king op en — ˜uildingD ro omD v—ultD s—fe or other

dep ositoryD sx y‚hi‚ „y ƒ„iev „ri‚ip‚yw money or other prop ertyDor

to ™ommit —ny other ™rimeD knowing the s—me to ˜ e —d—pted —nd designed for

the purp ose —fores—idD ‡s„r sx„ix„ „y ƒi y‚ iw€vy‰ y‚ evvy‡

the s—me to ˜ e used or employed for su™h purp oseD or who ever knowingly h—s in

his p ossession — m—ster key designed to t more th—n one motor vehi™leD ‡s„r

sx„ix„D „y ƒi y‚ iw€vy‰ „ri ƒewi to ste—l — motor vehi™le or other

prop erty therefromD sh—ll ˜ e punished ˜y imprisonment in the st—te prison for

not more th—n ten ye—rs or ˜y — ne of not more th—n one thous—nd doll—rs —nd

imprisonment in j—il for not more th—n two —nd one h—lf ye—rsF

imph—sis —ddedF

sn other wordsD mere p ossession me—ns nothingF sf they stop you for sp eeding or someE

thingD —nd nd — pi™k setD they ™—n9t do mu™hF yn the other h—ndD if they ™—t™h you pi™king

the lo ™k on — wone™ m—™hine they get to dr—w —nd qu—rter youF

ƒt—tes with simil—r wording in™lude wiD xrD x‰F yne pl—™e th—t hyiƒ xy„ h—ve

simil—r wordingD —nd do es m—ke p ossession illeg—lD is ‡—shingtonD hgF „hese —re the only

other pl—™es s h—ve ™he™kedF s would im—gine th—t most st—tes —re simil—r to w—ss—™husettsD

˜ut s would not ˜ et —nything su˜st—nti—l @s—yD more th—n — sli™e of pizz—A on itF

st m—y ˜ e — go o d ide— to ™—rry —round — xeroxed ™opy of the —ppropri—te p—ge from your

st—te9s ™rimin—l ™o deF RV Brought to You by LockCowboy.com