Lock picks...

[WETWRKS]

Ok guys, school me on lock picks.

I was with some friends and friends of friends and one was sitting there messing with lock picks and a c-lock like they use for storage units. He was having trouble getting it open. I watched for about 10 minutes then asked to give it a try...had it open in about 2 minutes.

Thought it might be something worth messing with learning should the world go south.

My understanding is they are legal as long as you are not using them illegally...is this correct?

If they are legal...what sort of set should I be looking for?

[cstone]

Get a cheap set of picks and practice in your home. When you can open every lock in your house, go back and see if you can do each lock even faster than before.

It's all about the tension and knowing how specific locks are built, where the tumblers are and how they need to fall.

Don't take your pick set outside. Don't offer or agree to open a lock for anyone else. Just get good at what you own.

Be safe.

[TFOGGER]

I've made my own since I was in junior high school(and made a fair amount of spending money in HS opening cars that people locked their keys in at the bar next door to a friend's tattoo shop). They're not technically illegal in CO, but might get an add on charge of "Possession of burglary tools" if you happen to get arrested for something else. I can easily justify my possession of them as a working mechanic. I've used commercially available ones, and wasn't impressed by either their capability or durability.

[Landsknecht]

A small piece of Pepsi can will open most pad locks, keyed or combo.

[StagLefty]

YouTube videos-paper clips.

[Wulf202]

A small piece of Pepsi can will open most pad locks, keyed or combo.

No it won't. Most decent locks are shim resistant and aluminium shims just tear.

Southord.com sells some of the better picks

[HoneyBadger]

I've actually picked several schlage and kwikset style locks with 2 little allen wrenches. I've done this twice to get into my own house when locked out. Allen wrenches are pretty inconspicuous. And those locks are total shit.

[TFOGGER]

Some of the very best material for making lock picks can be literally found lying in the street, for free...

[00tec]

Bump keys are fun.

[Jer]

Bump keys are fun.

Beat me to it. This has to be the fastest/easiest way to pick most locks out there.

If you want to rest even less easy tonight YouTube how easy it is to get into an overhead garage door. I show my friends how to do it in about 15 seconds (including walking up the driveway) and their jaw always hits the ground.

[HoneyBadger]

Beat me to it. This has to be the fastest/easiest way to pick most locks out there.

If you want to rest even less easy tonight YouTube how easy it is to get into an overhead garage door. I show my friends how to do it in about 15 seconds (including walking up the driveway) and their jaw always hits the ground.
Because nobody out here actually uses their garage to park cars, they just use them for storage, I just locked my garage door shut by screwing a 2x4 into the header across the top of the door. Can't fish it with a hanger, but even if you could, the door won't lift a millimeter because it is physically blocked. Good luck picking THAT lock! [LOL]

[Jer]

Because nobody out here actually uses their garage to park cars, they just use them for storage, I just locked my garage door shut by screwing a 2x4 into the header across the top of the door. Can't fish it with a hanger, but even if you could, the door won't lift a millimeter because it is physically blocked. Good luck picking THAT lock! [LOL]

Excellent solution! Everyone should just bar their overhead garage doors shut with 2x4's! Perfect! lulz

[HoneyBadger]

Excellent solution! Everyone should just bar their overhead garage doors shut with 2x4's! Perfect! lulz
It IS an excellent solution for me. I would rather not have a door there at all since I just downgraded from a 3400sqft house to a 1500sqft house and I need the storage space.

Anyway, back on topic. Cstone's advice is perfect. practice on your own locks. Never practice on a lock outside your house.