How Lock Picking Works

Losing your keys is every homeowner's worst nightmare, and matters are not helped when that loss means that you cannot get back into your property. Whether you have simply mislaid the keys, left them in the office, or had them stolen, the effect is the same, the loss of access to your home. In cases like these, picking the locks might be the best solution to getting back through your own front door. Although you might choose to call in a professional locksmith, who can get you in without alerting the police, in an emergency, it is possible to pick your own locks.

There are a wide variety of locks used in modern family homes, from the large Yale locks to deadbolts and other multi-key locks. All of these are difficult to get into, even with a key, and picking the lock is not as easy as it seems on TV. The majority of locks found in the home are the basic Deadlock, which uses a cylinder barrel to secure the door. Without a key, it can be very difficult to turn this cylinder and get the door to open. Picking the lock requires that the user find a way to turn the bolt without having the key.



The main problem in picking the cylinder lock lies in the barrel. This is cut into a unique series of slots and cuts which have to be aligned in order to turn. Within the barrel there are a series of pins which, when the cuts are placed in the correct position, allow the lock to open. Only the right key can turn the slots so that the pins are released, and this is why a different key, even from the same type of lock, will not work in the lock. Often called the pin-and-tumbler pattern, this type of cylinder can be very easy to open without a key.

A professional locksmith will have a device known as a 'pick' in their tool box. This small metal strip is curved at one end, and can be used in order to push up the pins without having the key. However, most people will use a tension wrench, or screwdriver to begin opening the door. The screwdriver is pushed into the lock, and then turned in the same way as a key. This moves the barrel so that the pins are resting on a ledge. A small pick is then pushed alongside the screwdriver, and the pins are lifted up. When the pin is raised, a small click will be heard.

The pick is used to lift each pin, until the whole lock is opened. Once this happens, the screwdriver will turn freely, and the lock will open. This is quite a simple process in theory, but it is usually something which can only be done by professional locksmiths, simply because they have the skills to 'feel' each pin and push it up into the space above the barrel. Those wishing to try picking a lock themselves may find that it takes them a long time to get those pins in the ideal position. 

Dan muston blogger and a locksmith in the past and know all about locks and security

Beverly Hills Locksmith the best locksmith company out there.