Introduction: Poor Man's Paperclip Lockpicks

About: Twitter: @mindsforge

Using a squashed paperclip, and a tension wrench you can begin learning the art of lock picking!

Step 1: Supplies

You will need:
1. Fairly large paperclip
2. Hammer
3. Something to smash the paperclip on, anvil, rock, concrete
4. Tension wrench

Possiblities for tension wrenches:
1. Small screw driver with a bent tip
2. Another paperclip
3. Model rocket engine clip
4. An actual tension wrench out of a lock picking set

Step 2: Straighten the Clip

Straighten out the paperclip as shown

Step 3: Flatten

Flatten out the end of the clip thats poking out, this makes the paperclip rigid and flat enough to fit into the lock.

Step 4: Test Out Your New Pick!

Picking locks takes practice. Check out the basics on how stuff works , another good document is the "MIT Guide to Lockpicking"

If you really are interested, purchase a lockpick set (around $15 for a basic one from southord). Be sure to check your state laws reguarding lock picking tools and the legality of it all, its always a good idea to see how deep you are getting before you jump in!

Attached is a video of the paper clip lock pick in action. The first section is using a small paper clip as the tension wrench, the second section I used a tension wrench out of a normal lockpick set.

Video is taken with my "stick the camera halfway in your pants" method