A professional locksmith can open any kind of lock, whether you're locked out of an apartment or a house. Most locks can be picked using a set of professional tools.
The reality is that in most states, as long as you're not trying to illegally enter someone's home with your lock pick set, you can legally own, carry, and use lock picking tools. There are, however, some states that have laws that make owning lock picking tools prima facie evidence of criminal intent.
Yes, a locksmith can open your lock without damaging it, most locksmiths use a non-destructive way to open your door to enter the property ensuring no damage is done to the lock or door.
Examine the handle and trim on the interior side of the door. There may be a small pinhole holding the handle in place. Insert a straightened paper clip into this hole and apply pressure to release the interior handle. Insert the pin straight through the lock cylinder to reach the lock's release mechanism.
To do this, unfold the large edge of your paperclip twice until a straight portion juts out. You will be inserting the straight part into the lock to use as a pick. Some locksmiths also put a tiny upward bend into the tip of the pick. This is to depress the pins inside the lock but is not strictly necessary.
With the right tools and the proper training, a locksmith can have your door opened in no time. Locksmiths have the tools needed to get into your home no matter the situation. Unfortunately, this also means that almost anyone can pick your lock if they know what they're doing.
It can take anywhere from 7 seconds to 45 minutes for a locksmith to pick open a lock. Generally a locksmith should be able to unlock most doors in about 10 minutes. Of course this is effected by the type of lock.
Does a Locksmith Have to Break Your Lock? In most cases, no. A locksmith can usually open a locked door using his or her tools and equipment without causing any damage to the lock itself.
The question we receive the most often is: Can all locks be picked? The short answer is "no". There are several reasons that you might be unsuccessful even if you are a top notch technician. The most obvious reason is that a lock must be in operating condition in order to be picked.
One of the most common (and easiest to pick) locks is the pin-and-tumbler, which is a type of cylinder lock. Cylinder locks are used in most deadbolts. When picking a pin-and-tumbler lock, put the tension wrench in the keyhole and turn it as if it was a key.
Most interior locksets have a pinhole on the outside knob for emergencies. All you need to pick one of these locks is a single straightened-out paper clip to substitute for the pinhole door knob key. Insert the paper clip into the pinhole and push on it to unlock the door.
To unlock a privacy lock you'll need a flathead screwdriver that is small enough to fit into the hole on the doorknob. Insert your screwdriver into the hole and push forward. If your doorknob is using a push-button type privacy lock, then you should hear a loud click and the door will open.
Most interior doors come with a basic push button doorknob. For simple push-button affairs like this, all you need is a paperclip to regain access. For the simple push-button doorknob, stick the flattened end of the paperclip into the hole and keep on pushing until you hit the locking mechanism.
Bump keys are specially cut keys that can bypass the security mechanisms built into traditional pin and tumbler locks. Bump keys are also referred to as “999 keys” because all of their ridges are cut to the maximum depth (999) in a key-making machine.
Ideal choices include a small screwdriver or hex wrench, a hair pin, or a heavy-duty paperclip. You can even use a bamboo skewer from the kitchen, or a cotton swab with the fluff removed from one end. If using a hair pin or paper clip, first bend it open so you have a long, straight bit of metal.
To pick a lock with a screwdriver, you need a flat head screwdriver. Insert it at the bottom part of the keyhole. Once it is placed inside the keyhole, turn it clockwise. Apply the right amount of pressure while the screwdriver is in the position.
Insert a pair of scissors into the hole of the lock as deeply as you can. The blades should be thin enough to fit into the whole of the lock. ... Turn the scissors counter clock wise, from left to right, once the scissors are deeply inserted into the lock. Shift and move the scissors around until the lock is opened.
Lock snapping is a burglary technique which involves snapping a particular type of lock cylinder in two by applying the right amount of force and removing the outside part to expose the locking mechanism.
What can I do to prevent someone picking my lock? Unfortunately, 100% pick proof locks don't exist unless you have a keyless lock. Pick proof locks are actually just more resistant to lock picking and bumping as they have an extra set of tumblers which then gives the key effectively two jobs to do.