Comments | redchair66: Scammy Locksmiths or Lock-jimmying Lesson Requested

redchair66

Scammy Locksmiths or Lock-jimmying Lesson Requested

Jun 20, 2007 17:57

I know it was Sunday, Father's Day in fact, and the fault was basically mine: Left house for weekend with family, locked door from inside and lo, house keys not on ring with car keys. Oooops! Spent weekend completely forgetting about situation and fuming slightly at hubby's tendency to avoid carrying house keys as well. (wouldn't THAT have made ( Read more... )

Comments 8

chromatomancer June 21 2007, 03:42:08 UTC

Sign me up for the lock-jimmying lesson, too! I hate paying for something like that. I've ditched my old days of frequent key-forgetting, but you never know when they will return OUTSIDE the dorm and easy access to other people.

picking locks for fun and profit... riodutchie June 21 2007, 03:54:58 UTC

Wow. $99?! Damn. I remember hearing once that if you just need a money profession, go into locksmithing since you could essentially charge whatever you wanted since you had people over a barrel while they were locked out of whatever was important enough to lock up in the first place.
I'd be of up for classes as well =) I've seen books and practice kits available, as well as several classes of tools ranging from the old-school kit, to the more 'automated' type.

MIT Lockpicking Guide: http://www.capricorn.org/~akira/home/lockpick/

But, you might want to order 'real' tools =)

--Rio

Re: picking locks for fun and profit... ewhac June 21 2007, 05:54:22 UTC

Second the recommendation: I have a copy of the MIT Lockpicking Guide, and it's an excellent text. It explains common lock mechanics and the theory behind lockpicking.

You will need to practice, however. There is no substitute for actually getting a feel for pushing pins around.

fairebarbell June 21 2007, 16:00:47 UTC

I have a little experience, both with cars and houses (note: only my OWN car or house) There is nothing like the Macguyver feeling of taking a tree branch and a pocket knife, or an old plastic butter knife, and opening your car door cause the keys are inside. Houses on the other hand are mostly windows. You'd be amazed just how many places you should check to make sure that your house is actually closed.

redchair66 June 22 2007, 04:16:42 UTC

Back in the day (this time defined as "when I was under the age of 9") I was periodically employed by various family members to housebreak - their own houses of course. I still remember my aunt and uncle driving over to pick me up from my parents so that I could squeeze through the transom over their door. Dropping down on the other side was the best part. :)

warriorfoo June 21 2007, 19:09:46 UTC

A certain beautiful brunett in my life claims to know lock picking, you might bribe her with crafts.

redchair66 June 22 2007, 04:13:05 UTC

I wonder if she could help me craft up a li'l tool kit :)

lock picking paulwheeler June 21 2007, 22:19:38 UTC

I was employed by, for those of you who remember, Phoebe Moyer to pick locks on suitcases that had been accidently locked by some actor. I can show some basic ideas, depending on the lock. If you actually want to "pick" a lock, it will take you approximately 10 hours of practice. Total. Then you will be able to open just about any lock in 30 seconds. :) All you need is the lock wrench and the lock pick. There are other options for breaking into your own house as well.
-Paul