Locks & Lockpicking workshop – March 29, 2012
Lock picking is the art of unlocking a lock by analyzing and manipulating the components of the lock device, without the original key. Although lock picking can be associated with criminal intent, it is an essential skill for a locksmith. Lock picking is the ideal way of opening a lock without the correct key, while not damaging the lock, allowing it to be rekeyed for later use, which is especially important with antique locks that would be impossible to replace if destructive entry methods were used.
Topics That we will be discuss:
- Legal stuff (just few minutes)
- Is it legal to possess picks?
- What tools are illegal to possess?
- What locks are legal to pick and what are not?
- The most popular locks mechanisms (just short overview to make further explanations possible – 15-20 minutes max):
- Warded locks
- Wafer locks
- Pin tumbler locks
- Disc detainer locks
- Non-destructible by-pass methods for some lock mechanisms (some tools I can demonstrate myself, for other I will show images and videos)
- Shims
- “Golf club” shaped tools
- Comb picks
- Skeleton keys
- Bumping
- Lockpicking basics (I am going to bring my collection of picks so everyone can genetly try using them):
- Pin tumblers
- Disc detainers
- Combination padlocks decoding
- Dial-based locks
- Wheels-based locks
Where to look for information on locks, lockpicking, bypassing, etc:
- http://lockwiki.com (wiki, has a lot of well organized information)
- http://www.lockpicking101.com/ (forum)
- http://blackbag.nl/ (blog of Barry Wells, the world recognized locks expert)
- http://youtube.com (tons of videos explaining lockpicking, locks and related stuff)
- http://lockpickshop.com (one place to buy quality tools, use “lp101” coupon code for 10% off, USA)
- http://www.sparrowslockpicks.
com/ (another place to buy quality tools, Canada) - http://dx.com/c/hobbies-toys-
899/lock-picks-tools-829 (one more place to buy tools, free delivery, low prices, very long delivery times, China)
What: A workshop on Locks & lockpicking
Where: VHS
When: March 29, 2012 7:30pm
Host: Val Polyakh
Bottom liner: Steven Smethurst
Many thanks to Val who very kindly came and did a wonderful workshop for the Creative Geek Society afterwards. The room was bursting at the seams and people were hanging on his every word and taking notes, paper and electronic.
A large TV screen does wonders for allowing people to see diagrams and animations btw.
Hey all,
Is anyone doing another class about this sometime in the future? Sorry I missed this!
L