Trained as a locksmith out of college, dad and sibling still trade mainly on "warrant runs" for the large energy providers when they need to get access to house to cut people off.
It's really cool seeing people take an interest in picking, but just wanted to point out that professional & hobbyist picking is completely different.
A professional’s first priority normally is to get into the property, damage generally not being a huge issue so the approach changes dramatically.
First you try all the doors, as you would be surprised by how many people just simply don't lock their doors whilst making a judgment what will be the easiest entrance.
Then you target the door with the worst lock, normally a UPVC door with a euro cylinder and use an electric pick gun to give it a quick blast. This gets you in within 5 minutes 90% of the time. [1]
If the pick gun doesn't work you snap the cylinder in the door and replace the lock for a total cost of about £5 [2]
The hardest part of the whole job is when you have to identify a mortice lock in order to bypass it and knowing if it's worth an attempt at a pick. (Simple 3 lever locks are worth a pick first before a drill)
Once the lock has been identified though it's easy to drill, you get your template out [3], mark up the holes and drill out the stump
There are also other methods and the general gist of the story is you use the method which takes the least amount of time with doesn't leave an unreasonable amount of cost!
Some other methods/products to look at which are interesting and commonly used:
It's really cool seeing people take an interest in picking, but just wanted to point out that professional & hobbyist picking is completely different. A professional’s first priority normally is to get into the property, damage generally not being a huge issue so the approach changes dramatically.
First you try all the doors, as you would be surprised by how many people just simply don't lock their doors whilst making a judgment what will be the easiest entrance. Then you target the door with the worst lock, normally a UPVC door with a euro cylinder and use an electric pick gun to give it a quick blast. This gets you in within 5 minutes 90% of the time. [1] If the pick gun doesn't work you snap the cylinder in the door and replace the lock for a total cost of about £5 [2]
The hardest part of the whole job is when you have to identify a mortice lock in order to bypass it and knowing if it's worth an attempt at a pick. (Simple 3 lever locks are worth a pick first before a drill) Once the lock has been identified though it's easy to drill, you get your template out [3], mark up the holes and drill out the stump
There are also other methods and the general gist of the story is you use the method which takes the least amount of time with doesn't leave an unreasonable amount of cost!
Some other methods/products to look at which are interesting and commonly used:
- Mica, a specifically made plastic for slipping rim latches, most commonly referred to as "yale locks": http://uklockpickers.co.uk/mica-shim.html
- Letterbox tool, very basic (its just posh string on a stick) but also very effective at knocking off deadbolts or opening a latch that won't slip: http://www.walkerlocksmiths.co.uk/bypass-tools/letterbox-too...
- Try out keys for mortice locks with a low number of levers: http://www.walkerlocksmiths.co.uk/mortice-picks-tools/try-ou...
- Plug spinner for when you pick the lock the wrong way: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUmCUj44BPg
[1] http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=mTt...
[2] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqhhXyROxQM
[3] http://www.eltonlockservices.co.uk/drill%20template%20new%20...