How to Pick a Commercial Grade Lever Lock

Michael Peterson: Hello! My name is Michael Peterson. I have been an independent locksmith in Oak Park Illinois for the last 10 years. Today I will be demonstrating some basic lock picking techniques. For this demonstration, I will be using a tension tool, a basic pick, I will also be showing you how to pick a commercial grade lever. A tension tool is to apply pressure on the cylinder and a pick is to manipulate the pins into the resting position that the key usually has them in. For today's demonstration, I will be picking a commercial grade lever. Commercial grade levers are a little harder to pick because the cylinder is sideways. I will show you how to do it now. Insert the tension tool into the cylinder. Apply clockwise or counter clockwise pressure on to the tension tool. This will bind the cylinder. Using your pick manipulate the pins to try get the cylinder to turn. You want to try to manipulate the pins, so that the cylinder turns. On most levers the cylinder has a spring inside that holds pressure on it. Therefore when we do pick the lock, it only moves a small amount. It's important to look for this and when it happens that takes pressure off the tension tool. Once the cylinder is picked, use the flathead screwdriver to turn the cylinder. Do not take the pressure off with the tension wrench. The lock should not be unlocked. You do not have to worry about returning the cylinder to it's resting position on a commercial grade lever because the spring assist inside the lock will return it there for you. Next I will be showing you how to pick a rim cylinder.