Lock picking anyone?

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Disrespective

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#152260 22-Sep-2014 08:30

I'm not quite sure if this is against the usage guidelines but I've started getting back into lock picking as a passtime/hobby. If it is a bit borderline then Mod's please delete this.

I've not joined any local (wgtn) groups yet as I seem to be very rusty and don't think I want to do it as a sport. I was just interested to see if anyone else is any good at it on here.

Because I know it will be asked, here's the legal guff from here:

Being disguised or in possession of instrument for burglary
(1)Every one is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years who, without lawful authority or excuse,—

(a)has in his or her possession any instrument capable of being used for burglary with intent to use it for such a purpose; or
(b)has his or her face covered or is otherwise disguised with intent to commit any imprisonable offence.

(2)If any person is convicted of being in possession of an instrument for burglary, the court may, if it thinks fit, order the instrument to be forfeited to the Crown or disposed of as the court directs at the expense of the convicted person, and may order the person to pay any reasonable cost incurred by the Commissioner of Police in retaining the instrument.

In essence, it is completely legal to own lock picks, so long as you aren't caught with them whilst doing something suspicious.

There are some fantastic resources on Youtube and I have collected a few very good pdf's if anyone is interested, also.

Anyone got any little tips or tricks they care to share?

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Networkn
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#1133390 22-Sep-2014 08:52

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

nakedmolerat

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#1133404 22-Sep-2014 09:22

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!

Geektastic

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#1133406 22-Sep-2014 09:24

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

Well many of them could do that...even working in IT for a job could if you misused the skillset!

Lock picking has always fascinated me but one of those lock guns seems like a better and handier solution!

Disrespective

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#1133408 22-Sep-2014 09:26

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!

I’m based in wellington but my skills don’t extend onto combination locks unless its simple shimming. I won’t go into further detail as i’m sure you can google that. Toool make a nice wee credit card set of picks and tension wrenches (laser cut from stainless steel) that I keep in my wallet for times i'm locked out of my house... since getting the kit though i've not needed it, heh.

xpd

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#1133410 22-Sep-2014 09:27

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 :)

XPD / Gavin

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BinaryLimited

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#1133455 22-Sep-2014 10:08

Disrespective: I'm not quite sure if this is against the usage guidelines but I've started getting back into lock picking as a passtime/hobby. If it is a bit borderline then Mod's please delete this.

I've not joined any local (wgtn) groups yet as I seem to be very rusty and don't think I want to do it as a sport. I was just interested to see if anyone else is any good at it on here.

Because I know it will be asked, here's the legal guff from here:

Being disguised or in possession of instrument for burglary
(1)Every one is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years who, without lawful authority or excuse,—

(a)has in his or her possession any instrument capable of being used for burglary with intent to use it for such a purpose; or
(b)has his or her face covered or is otherwise disguised with intent to commit any imprisonable offence.
(2)If any person is convicted of being in possession of an instrument for burglary, the court may, if it thinks fit, order the instrument to be forfeited to the Crown or disposed of as the court directs at the expense of the convicted person, and may order the person to pay any reasonable cost incurred by the Commissioner of Police in retaining the instrument.

In essence, it is completely legal to own lock picks, so long as you aren't caught with them whilst doing something suspicious.

There are some fantastic resources on Youtube and I have collected a few very good pdf's if anyone is interested, also.

Anyone got any little tips or tricks they care to share?

Pieces of wire ( or paper clip ) can pick locks...Depending on the lock will depend of the thickness of the wire. Locked myself out my shed a few times...*sigh*
Its actually very scary how easy it is to pick a lock.

Whats even worse is cracking safe's, so easy. For some safe's you don't even need any tools, just your hand to bang on the top.
Yes the safe was mine, purchased from Bunnings and Mitre 10. Had to return both of them, there was nothing safe about them.

Binary Limited - Safe. Secure. Simple. ™
www.binarylimited.co.nz

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russelo

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#1133459 22-Sep-2014 10:17

Got interested when I was watching some youtube video a year or so ago.
Bought a cheap kit from DX which I haven't tried yet.

So far I've managed to unlock my own office drawer and a cheap small padlock I bought for testing.
Needs a lot of time and patience though.

Noviota

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#1133828 22-Sep-2014 16:14

Check out LockSport. There is even a Wellington group. http://locksport.org.nz/

Boeingflyer

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#1133999 22-Sep-2014 19:00

A flatmate lost one of our keys to the garage, wouldn't pay to replace, long story, but anyway it was going to cost $100 to get it picked and put a new barrel in. Brought one of those guns from DX for $5 and did it within 5 minutes. Only had to pay $30 for the new barrel.

clinty

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#2686867 5-Apr-2021 21:42

Had this unlocked as am looking at taking up something to keep up my manual dexterity as the years advance, and cross stitch, knitting and sewing aren't my thing lol

Came across lock pick lawyer in the "what YouTube channel are you following" and have got hooked :)

Anyone else taken up this hobby? How did you get started? Good tools, bad tools?

Clint

Kraven

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#2686875 5-Apr-2021 22:14

I tried getting into it a couple of years ago, got a set of beginner picks from Pickpals which seemed to be OK in quality. Biggest challenge I faced was finding some decent locks to practice on without spending a fortune. You also need a quiet place away from distractions, for me this was hard with young kids at home! Eventually other things grabbed my attention and I gave up on it, at least for now...

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#2686887 5-Apr-2021 23:03

I once read somewhere that the definition of a hacker was someone who can't resist opening a lock. I see lock pickers as mainly harmless types who just love a good puzzle. They are curious, not criminals. Lock picking is a worthy activity, part of the pursuit of knowledge.

Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

Batman

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#2686908 6-Apr-2021 05:16

Watch lockpickinglawyer on YouTube

He opens anything

clinty

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#2686916 6-Apr-2021 07:34

Batman: Watch lockpickinglawyer on YouTube

He opens anything

As I mentioned in my post - I spent far too much time watching that channel over the weekend lol

Its amazing to see the huge amount of variety there is in locks - and that just because its a sturdy looking lock, doesn't mean it can't be opened in seconds

Am looking for resources to help me start up, pitfalls to avoid, reasonable tools for a starter - although it seems like even the cheapest sets are reasonable.

Clint

Eva888

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#2686974 6-Apr-2021 08:18

I’m always amazed by the interesting hobbies people have. Maybe you could become an adviser on GZ about which locks not to install.

I guess picking locks is not much different to being a locksmith who practices his trade as a job. It’s just the words lock picking that creates negative emotions and suspicion. If it was lock puzzles, no one would bat an eyelid.

As for it being able to be used for crime...you could say that for a lot of things, Archery, Shooting and anyone who could use their technical skills to hack.

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