Lock picking anyone?

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Chorus

#2687089 6-Apr-2021 10:53

I bought a particular brand of trailer wheel lock a few years ago.

A few years later I bought a competing brand of trailer wheel lock for my 2nd trailer (but the lock looked more or less identical to the first one I bought).

I was alarmed to find that the keys for each were 100% interchangeable. Different brands, bought from different stores around 3 years apart.

The brand I bought first is endorsed/recommended by my boat insurer, and I see many boats and caravans in my neighbourhood which all have the same wheel locks that I use. I wonder how many of those all have exactly the same key.....

Rikkitic

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#2687096 6-Apr-2021 11:06

And how good are electronic locks? I think the Mythbusters picked a few if I remember correctly.

Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

clinty

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#2687099 6-Apr-2021 11:11

Wheelbarrow01:

I bought a particular brand of trailer wheel lock a few years ago.

A few years later I bought a competing brand of trailer wheel lock for my 2nd trailer (but the lock looked more or less identical to the first one I bought).

I was alarmed to find that the keys for each were 100% interchangeable. Different brands, bought from different stores around 3 years apart.

The brand I bought first is endorsed/recommended by my boat insurer, and I see many boats and caravans in my neighbourhood which all have the same wheel locks that I use. I wonder how many of those all have exactly the same key.....

Ouch - sounds like a cheap OEM out of China deal

Looking at these videos online - changing the core ( the bit that is actually the lock) can be quite easy on some locks - meaning you could change it out for one that isn't the same

Clint

clinty

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#2687100 6-Apr-2021 11:13

Rikkitic:

And how good are electronic locks? I think the Mythbusters picked a few if I remember correctly.

Most seems to have a manual backup which can be picked easily. I saw a video that used a strong magnet to release a gun safety clamp, used in Police Vehicles, without even touching the lock lol

Clint

duckDecoy

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#2687107 6-Apr-2021 11:50

This is something I have been thinking of getting into as well, mainly from watching the lockpicking lawyer on youtube.

Can anyone recommend a starter set of lock picks to get me going?

And is there anywhere to source a bulk lot of padlocks? I imagine it gets pricey to be buying them just to try and pick them.

Kraven

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#2687199 6-Apr-2021 14:00

duckDecoy:

Can anyone recommend a starter set of lock picks to get me going?

Here's the set I grabbed from Pickpals: https://www.pickpals.com.au/buy-lockpicks/sets/product-pickpals-intro-set/

Has everything you need to dabble and it's cheap, but reasonable quality. There's a video review of the kit on that page by BosianBill, another very well respected YouTube lock picker.

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#2687277 6-Apr-2021 15:15

I've been watching LPL for quite a while too. I brought a cheap set of picks off Aliexpress, but the hooks on the picks are mostly too small to be useful.

You would have noticed that LPL has just started selling his own tools @ covertinstruments.com, this looks like a decent set to get going with https://covertinstruments.com/collections/lockpicks/products/genesis-lock-pick without going up to the covert companion.

I have a lock barrel on my desk (that i removed from one of my house doors a while back). When i get bored it becomes my fidgit tool and i try to pick it. It took me a while to get it, but now i can do it most times in about 15 seconds, which is quite disconcerting when it comes from your own door!

Speedtest

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#2687337 6-Apr-2021 16:48

xpd: I used to pick basic padlocks, mainly because I kept losing my keys for my bike lock.... :) Was surprising how many just need a small flat bladed screwdriver.... things have changed since then though, Id struggle to do even a $2 shop padlock now :)

Could use sissors as well. We used to make picks out of hack saw blades as a hobbie of course at high school

clinty

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#2687484 6-Apr-2021 19:57

Kraven:

Here's the set I grabbed from Pickpals: https://www.pickpals.com.au/buy-lockpicks/sets/product-pickpals-intro-set/

Has everything you need to dabble and it's cheap, but reasonable quality. There's a video review of the kit on that page by BosianBill, another very well respected YouTube lock picker.

Have ordered these - will see how they go - now to find some locks :)

Clint

neb

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#2687568 6-Apr-2021 21:26

networkn: Hobbies which have the potential to land you in prison are ones I tend to stay away from!

It's no more illegal than owning a crowbar (burglary tool). For the OP, google "locksport nz".

neb

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#2687572 6-Apr-2021 21:41

nakedmolerat: Where are you based?

I have this lock that I really want someone to unlock it for me (one that use combination of number).

Btw, I remember 10 years ago, I locked myself out from my flat at 3 am in the morning. I paid $300 to get 12 sec job done - no choice, it was winter break in Dunedin!

Friend of mine opened a safe in under a second. The only cost was the APIT ammunition, whose origins are best not gone into:

Picking this lock would have taken even an expert a few seconds! Mike and I had the safe open in the interval between frames of video. Under 1/30 of a second.

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neb

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#2687579 6-Apr-2021 21:51

Rikkitic:
And how good are electronic locks? I think the Mythbusters picked a few if I remember correctly.

I wouldn't trust any electronic lock, whenever anyone analyses one they turn out to be full of vulnerabilities. And then with a physical lock you at least need some level of skill and practice to pick them, but with an electronic lock you just need to download the hack off the internet and click on "Open it".

Lias

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#2687623 7-Apr-2021 06:51

Anyone who's interested in lockpicking and infosec might want to check out your local ISIG. I can't speak for all of them but when I used to occasionally frequent the Christchurch one a few years ago lockpicking was very popular!

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