Opening a basic shed lock

You've got to be simply kidding. If you think locksmiths are going to tell you how to unlock something just cause you post a question on Usenet.

That's the first thing that came to /my/ mind - and I'm not a locksmith /or/ a crook. But I once had a little 'shed lock' type situation that I tho't I wasn't going to find the keys for.

That guy over yonder had some big-jawed long-armed bolt cutters which he would have 'generously' applied to the situation for me if I hadn't found the keys at last.

OK. Feel free to ignore this thread then if you're not interested in helping.

OK. Fair point. I should read the FAQ.

Still annoys when people post negative comments on a thread. IMHO, if you're not interested in the thread or dont think it should be there, dont waste bandwidth and energy adding useless comment to it.

annoys negative if you're not dont think dont waste useless comment

I counted six negatives in your reply.

I'm encouraged when when people post positive comments on a thread. IMHO, if you're interested in the thread and think it should be there, please productively use bandwidth and energy adding useful comment to it.

You can tell if its a pin tumbler or waffer by looking at the keyhole. If it looks like a regular keyslot, your in luck, you will be able to pick it in one minite or less. You won't even need the torch wrench. Slip the hook pick in the key slot and feel around for a lever, try tripping it, the lock should pop open after a little practice.

If on the other hand it's a pin lock, it will probably have 4 to 5 pins. You will need the torch wrench for this. Look in side the keyway, you should see the first pin. Now place your torch wrench in the bottom of the key way making room for your small hook pick. You will have to manually push each pin up while applying the right amount of torch. Too much is bad. The idea is to apply enough torch so you can puch the pin up and it will set there. Start from the last pin, furthest from the front. Apply just enough torch to feel how much resistance it gives, repeat for each pin. Remembering which pin gave the greatest resistance and the next, and so on. No go back to which ever pin felt like it gave the greatest resistance and try to set that one and then go to the next pin that gave the next greatest resistance, repeat in like manor. Hopefully you will be able to set each pin and the lock will pop open. If it doesn't it's because one or more pins are binding die to too much torch. You will have to start over.

Obviously picking locks takes practice and a little skill. Which is why 99% of theives do not pick locks. You would think locksmiths would know that, but they like to gaurd lock picking as if it was some special skill. Truth be told any 14 year old kid can learn how to pick locks if they just practice. But even with practice it usually takes too long to pick a lock. Another reason thieves don't bother picking. It's just so much faster using brute force to bypass the lock.

If your pad lock is a good quality lock you won't be able to open it. Higher grade locks have security pins in them and also are made of higher tolorances and better quality. It would take a little experience before you can hope to pick a better lock.

Give it a try any way. You might find it's kind of fun. I pick locks as a hobby. I started picking for fun and have decided to take a locksmith course to learn as much as I can about the locks and installation. I don't plan on being a full time locksmith, but just as a hobby and to help out my friends and family, and of course theives like you ;)

Good Luck!

Almost forgot,

you can buy a cheap lock pick set at amazon for $20

you can read more about lock picking all over the web where most people enjoy sharing about it and are not paranoid.

You can also search you tube and watch videos about lock picking let me know if you need any more help, I'll show u how to make a bump key next ;)

Let me guess.... you went to public schools, and spent most of your time trying to pick the locks on the lockers instead of studying English and grammar?

I'll let you know if I ever encounter a waffer lock in my travels. Not sure I've ever heard the word "waffer". Or a torch wrench. The last time I used a torch wrench, I was changing the leaf springs on my van. Great tool set actually. Acetylene, and impact wrench. Though, I can't imagine using a torch wrench for picking locks. I usually don't apply much torch, cause I burn my fingers on the hot lock.

Ha ha, a lockie with a sense of humor, rare.

yea, I wrote that like 2:00am, after a great nite out. Don't expect you to relate to that as most lockies don't have a social life out side of critiquing people who actually try to HELP people with real info.

As for my education, this coming from a lockie? No HS education is needed to be a locksmith. Any moron can become one even with no experience. Thankfully I do have a decent education and have been self employed for 20 years in a high tech field. I'm 50 years old and can say I live very comfortable which allows me the time to have a social life, and do locksmithing as a hobby. And I even have all my teeth too :)

Torch was meant to be torq, as in tension wrench.

For the casual readers who stumbled on this group looking for help and answers, don't expect to get any real info for free. 80% of the locksmiths like to think they are involved in some sort of high skill trade (trying not to laugh), and will rarely share any real tips because they live off their "skill". If word got out that any do-it-yourselfer can do 80% of locksmithing on their own with no special tools, well, you get the idea. About the only thing some people find interesting about locksmithing is the ability to pick locks. Also a highly guarded secret among lockies, because once again, if word got out how easy it is to pick locks, well, there goes the only glamorous part of their job description :)

They like to play police and detective about sharing picking tips so not to help would be thieves (trying not to laugh). They are totally clueless that

90% of burglars do NOT pick locks because there are 100's of easier ways to gain entrance.

Luckily there are some (20%?) cool locksmiths out there that are not paranoid, or total dickheads or morons. It's always nice to meet such folks that like to share what they know. Perhaps those are the ones that actually really know any thing?

I been picking locks for fun for as long as I can remember. For me it's a skill. No secret hand shakes or hidden knowledge with me. I will freely help any one that asks. I leave the policing to the police, and locksmiths :))

Do not judge locksmithing and lock pickers by the likes of the majority of dickheads in the locksmith industry. You can be cool and still be a lockie or picker.

<snip lame excuses>

Try a dictionary, eventually even you will be able to spell the word you want to use. BBE.

<snip self elevating fluff>

I'll give th at a quick rewrite. From a locksmith point of view.

Ah, you got the same conclusion. If in different words. Mistaken, and insulting.

I'll give you a quick reply.

I don't give a rat's ass if you want to critic my spelling. I'm here to help any way I can, and learn new things, NOT critic posters spelling, ethics, or motives. I'll leave that to you ; )

I have not read all the older posts but the one's I have read you are usually the first to pop in with critic, sarcasm, and have yet to find a helpful reply accept where u suggest reading the faq. You and a couple of other regulars. So your not a lone. I'm sure you have a lot of real information you can provide if you wanted to.

Just for the record, and a reminder, all I said that can be remotely regarded as insulting is that, IMHO the majority of lockies *I've met* are dickheads. And that was to a reply to another poster with similar observations. I also believe, again IMHO, that any do-it-yourselfer can learn to do 80% of the residential work on their own with no special skills, and again IMHO that is the reason *most* locksmiths will not provide information so freely : )

I do agree that the real skills are in the commercial end of the locksmith business and to some degree the auto end too. And I find working with locks, installing, repairing, and yes picking them very interesting and enjoyable!

I only started posting here because I got tired of the same regulars who are so quick to judge, critic, and insult others looking for help. They now have some one they can count on for real anwsers.

I'm not here to insult, troll, or piss any one off (intentionally), but judging from your past sarcastic posts, I would never have guessed you had soft skin ; )

I hope to also be able to pick up a few new things here too.

CYA

At work we had some desks with a crap lock on the drawer (there was no name / logo on the keys) most of these could be opened with a letter opener in the keyhole a manipulation of the wafers and a twist and the lock is open.

An other joke is filing cabinets, some of these have a serious design flaw, again they can be opened with a letter opener, but not in the keyhole. I am not going to give the full details because some people here do not like this info to be made public.

Regards, Malcolm.

"Malcolm Young" <killer snipped-for-privacy@hotmail.com wrote in message news:44e98a93$0$4171$ snipped-for-privacy@per-qv1-newsreader-01.iinet.net.au...

desk and filing cabs never were designed to be that secure in the first place.