How to Pick a Rim Cylinder Lock

Transcripts

Michael Peterson: Hello! My name is Michael Peterson. I have been an independent locksmith in Oak Park the last 10 years. Today I will be demonstrating some basic lock picking techniques. For this demonstration, I will be using a tension tool and a pick gun. A tension tool is too apply pressure on the cylinder in a clockwise or counter clockwise direction. This will bind the pins when trying to manipulate them. The pick gun is to manipulate the pins. It's a different than a manual pick or a basic pick because it wracks all the pins at one time. I'll show how to work it.

First demonstration, we will be using a rim cylinder. This is basically what you find for any surface mounted deadbolt application and I will show you how to use it. Insert the tension wrench and apply clockwise or counter clockwise pressure on it. Then insert your pick gun. Be careful not to bind the blade, this is what that will make it difficult for your to pick. Now keep in pressure on the tension wrench, pull the handle on the pick gun.

Remember to increase and decrease the pressure on the tension wrench. This will release any pins that are binded up. Once the cylinder is picked, remove the pick gun and remove the tension tool. Then use a flathead screwdriver to turn the cylinder. Before using a key in this cylinder, remember to turn it back to the resting position using a flathead screwdriver. Next we will be showing how to pick a padlock.