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This instructable will walk you through the creation of your very own manual pick gun.
A pick gun (in this case a snap gun to be specific) is a tool locksmiths occasionally use in lieu of picking. It's thought that these tools helped those incapable of picking, but really they prove useful, even to the experienced picker. The tool works by bouncing all the pins above the shear line while you apply tension via tension wrench. The goal, as in all tumbler picking, is to get all the lock pins above the shear line at once. This tools sometimes expedites hat by bouncing them all in a bit of a random fashion. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, it's a good idea to find and read the MIT guide to lockpicking.
This particular tool is created using a windshield wiper blade insert. There are plenty of designs floating around the internet, usually using a coat hanger. I just happen to have a surplus of these wiper blade inserts.
Whatever medium you use, it's probably best I tell you that this is not my original idea. I just wanted to share it. Being my first instructable, I expect errors in grammar, punctuation and such. I'll probably even give some false information. I only ask that you take it easy on me when informing me of such mistakes.
Also - NEVER PICK A LOCK YOU DON'T HAVE A RIGHT TO!
A pick gun (in this case a snap gun to be specific) is a tool locksmiths occasionally use in lieu of picking. It's thought that these tools helped those incapable of picking, but really they prove useful, even to the experienced picker. The tool works by bouncing all the pins above the shear line while you apply tension via tension wrench. The goal, as in all tumbler picking, is to get all the lock pins above the shear line at once. This tools sometimes expedites hat by bouncing them all in a bit of a random fashion. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, it's a good idea to find and read the MIT guide to lockpicking.
This particular tool is created using a windshield wiper blade insert. There are plenty of designs floating around the internet, usually using a coat hanger. I just happen to have a surplus of these wiper blade inserts.
Whatever medium you use, it's probably best I tell you that this is not my original idea. I just wanted to share it. Being my first instructable, I expect errors in grammar, punctuation and such. I'll probably even give some false information. I only ask that you take it easy on me when informing me of such mistakes.
Also - NEVER PICK A LOCK YOU DON'T HAVE A RIGHT TO!
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Signing UpStep 1Basic design.
I made these two without a precise design, and they worked out anyhow. I recommend you at least have a good mental image of the finished product. I didn't think to document the first one, so I recorded the steps for #2.
#1 (green background) has a shorter throw
#2 (wood background) has a longer, curved throw, theoretically giving more of a snap.
The only tools you'll *need* are a pair of pliers and/or vice grips and a Dremel or similar grinding tool.
For this tool, it's ideal to use one of the longer wiper inserts (if nothing else, just to have extra material). 20 or 22 inches will do nicely. For anyone wondering, these wiper inserts are the two metal strips found in almost all windshield wiper blades. Save them when you change your wipers, or maybe go scavenge some from the auto parts store's rubbish bins. Sometimes, those guys will collect these for you, if you're nice.
I also use these to make my tension wrenches, since I go through them so frequently (made an instructable for them - see it here).
So, let's get down to it.
I'll be using three different types of bending techniques with this instructable:
The bend - usually 90 degrees. Made by holding the piece with one set of pliers and bending against those pliers with your hand.
The twist - always 90 degrees. Use two sets of pliers, holding the flats of the piece, and twist away from one-another.
The curve - much tricker. Hold the non-flat sides of the piece with two sets of vice grips (pliers would theoretically work), and curve gingerly - so as to not break it along the curve.
One last note - I didn't actually measure anything. I think the best way to go about this is to do what looks or feels right to you.
#1 (green background) has a shorter throw
#2 (wood background) has a longer, curved throw, theoretically giving more of a snap.
The only tools you'll *need* are a pair of pliers and/or vice grips and a Dremel or similar grinding tool.
For this tool, it's ideal to use one of the longer wiper inserts (if nothing else, just to have extra material). 20 or 22 inches will do nicely. For anyone wondering, these wiper inserts are the two metal strips found in almost all windshield wiper blades. Save them when you change your wipers, or maybe go scavenge some from the auto parts store's rubbish bins. Sometimes, those guys will collect these for you, if you're nice.
I also use these to make my tension wrenches, since I go through them so frequently (made an instructable for them - see it here).
So, let's get down to it.
I'll be using three different types of bending techniques with this instructable:
The bend - usually 90 degrees. Made by holding the piece with one set of pliers and bending against those pliers with your hand.
The twist - always 90 degrees. Use two sets of pliers, holding the flats of the piece, and twist away from one-another.
The curve - much tricker. Hold the non-flat sides of the piece with two sets of vice grips (pliers would theoretically work), and curve gingerly - so as to not break it along the curve.
One last note - I didn't actually measure anything. I think the best way to go about this is to do what looks or feels right to you.
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We're not thieves, so we don't have to get the lock open in seconds. Besides, if a customer sees me open their lock that quickly, they aren't going to think it's worth the price I charge them.
I'll also say that some locks will indeed take longer than others based on things like number of pins, cut of the key, or presence of security pins. As I said, it's much more important to do a good job than to do a quick job.
As always,
NEVER PICK A LOCK YOU DON'T HAVE A RIGHT TO.
Btw, I hv difficulty if pins are at the bottom, (any solution?) if not, it's the best homemade that I ever come across! Cool!
I don't really use the thing. I can't imagine what my customers would think if I pulled out that device. It's not exactly professional-looking.
I have heard of great success with similar devices, and of course, real pick guns have been around for a loooooong time.
This is a sort of last resort anyhow. You should never rely on a pcikgun, a bumpkey, or any other technique outside of actual picking. Personally, I am of the school of thought that says, "If you can single-pin pick, you can open anything." So far, it's worked out great for me. I've been fortunate enough, however, to not run into a Medeco. They train their own guys for those anyhow (they treat each customer like a bank does with a safety deposit box).
Anyhow, good luck and happy picking! Just make sure to NEVER PICK A LOCK YOU DON'T HAVE A RIGHT TO!