Guide to Lock Picking

September 1, 1991

Distribution

Permission to reproduce this document on a non-profit basis is granted provided that this copyright and distribution notice is included in full. The information in this booklet is provided for educational purposes only.

August 1991 revision.

Contents

• 1 It's Easy
• 2 How a Key Opens a Lock
• 3 The Flatland Model
• 4 Basic Picking & The Binding Defect
• 5 The Pin Column Model
• 6 Basic Scrubbing
• 7 Advanced Lock Picking
  • 7.1 Mechanical Skills
  • 7.2 Zen and the Art of Lock Picking
  • 7.3 Analytic Thinking
• 8 Exercises
• • 9.1 Which Way To Turn
  • 9.2 How Far to Turn
  • 9.3 Gravity
  • 9.4 Pins Not Setting
  • 9.5 Elastic Deformation
  • 9.6 Loose Plug
  • 9.7 Pin Diameter
  • 9.8 Beveled Holes and Rounded pins
  • 9.9 Mushroom Driver Pins
  • 9.10 Master Keys
  • 9.11 Driver or Spacer Enters Keyway
  • 9.12 Vibration Picking
  • 9.13 Disk Tumblers
• 10 Final Remarks
• A Tools
  • A.1 Pick Shapes
  • A.2 Street cleaner bristles
  • A.3 Bicycle spokes
  • A.4 BricK Strap
• B Legal Issues

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