pocket lock pick set

a lock pick set that you ca make yourself that fits in your pocket for easy storage, and hiding.( note I'm not responsible for what you do with this set so practice good judgment)

Step 1: Gather

the materials you need are:
hack saw blade
key ring
flat piece o metal( mine was a shishkabob stick)

the tools you'll need:
sharpie
pliers
file

Comments

[TheBookworm]

Would a Dremmel work?

[dent244]

a good tension wrench can be obtained from the cap of a uni-ball pen

[neodymium]

I just took a metal coat hanger, cut it to size with wire cutters, bent it 3/4 way down with needle nose pliers in half to make a handle, and bent the other end with the pliers inter the pick shape. then i heated the end up with a welding torch red hot (you can use lighters if you don't have a torch) and hammered the end on some concrete to give it it's flat shape.

the tension wrench was a piece of coat hanger bent at a 90 degree angle and heated then hammered flat.

works great with any lock i have encountered so far. a tip to any newbie lock pickers out there: try brushing the pins first with the pick so the process will go faster. (look up the brushing method)

[Fiction]

You can make lock picks that are much higher quality (and much cheaper) using the lost street sweeper blades that litter the gutters of virtually every city that has them. (Find some that haven't started to rust yet; if they have an oxide layer, they are too brittle)

The steel is much stronger and springier than any hacksaw blade, and is already the correct shape for making a pick. All you need is a dremel with a diamond wheel for shaping the your desired profile. Fashioning a handle for the pick is then also a great way to drastically increase the usability

You also can simply bend one of them using a vise or pair of pliers to make a perfect tension wrench.

I've made several picks this way, and own a pre-made lockpick kit, and honestly, I believe the street sweeper blades are made from the very same stock as commercial picks.

[Ichmawida]

yes they are cheap and work but are extremely flexible any way to fix that?

ALSO NEVER! USE GLOVES LIKE THAT AN A ROTARY TOOL!
It places your hand in more danger as it can get taken with the rotation and taking with it your thumb or a part of your finger.

[war.ace]

shish kabob sticks are flat not round?

[ElvenChild]

where does the hack saw go?

[mettaurlover]

The BLADE is used as raw material to cut from. The frame isn't involved.

[weaponscollector94]

what the heck's a tension wrench? is it the sorta thing you can open bathroom locks with? i use a coat hanger wire for that but i just am not sure what a tension wrench is

[bulletproofkevlar]

lol a tension wrench is required to pick locks it puts tension on the keyhole ...in other words its the twisting part of the key

[fallenspirit123]

a tension wrench is used to turn the plug thus opening the lock. and its so the pins wont fall back down

[weaponscollector94]

ok dude thanks!

[555mst555]

nice....but i prefer using windshield wiper blade.....thy're much stronger and dont rust!

[baneat]

If you do not have access to a grinder there's a 9 pice set that costs £3.80 delivered in dealextreme.com (great site for cheap little interesting items btw) Is the metal from a steel drinks can thick enough to make the pick?

[compan]

this is a good tutorial. A similar lock pick set would sell online for 50 to 200 bucks. This cost virtually nothing.

Check me out at http://www.computerace.tk

[milamber]

these templates are to size just print them top page best

[PJARRELL]

I live in Indiana and worked for a fire and security company at Mittle Steel and I owned a lock out kit and a pick set and used them there and in personal life for friends and family I have even gotten pulled over by the state police as well as the local police with them in my front seat and nothing was sead just asked why I had them and that was that. I even carry my pick set in my lunch pale at work it has came in mighty handy on the job . By the way grate instrustable

[g-tech]

thanks for commenting

[stAzer]

All I use is a bobby pin and half of a tiny scissors, and it works well. It also is a whole lot smaller. But I woud'nt mind making a few, and before I did'nt know how. Thanks!

[anakuron]

big thanks for uploading the pick template!

[wenpherd]

i cant find out how to use them on the website

[Datawolf]

Love your template but... is it the good size ?

[g-tech]

um... yea? I used the template and the sizing was fine, so i guess yes

[LINGLING]

i love this one i usally made out of hair pin (too weak) or watch screw drivers (look alright but weak if to thin) this one look just right tho im a bit worried that it will snap in a lock and i think the tension wrench could just be a small flat head screw driver bent thats what ive been using and its great. good work xD

[BorisTheSpider]

Hey, great instructable. I have to say Nicholson is a great American brand of both hacksaw blade and file. Also, the two you chose to make are very effective - two of my favorite, and I rarely use any others. I do find a couple rakes useful, like the 5th and 7th from the bottom in the picture (believe it or not, the style name varies from brand to brand). I'm also impressed that you pointed people to a reputable and responsible site. Only thing I would personally add is: NEVER PICK A LOCK THAT ISN'T YOURS OR THAT YOU DON'T HAVE A RIGHT TO. But again, great 'ible!

[g-tech]

hey thanks yea there has been a big discussion on legalities and such, but what peeves me right now is my instructable is getting more hits now because that other dude got a feature and what not when his strutable is almost the exact same as mine, with only one added step at the end, it just bugs me

[BorisTheSpider]

I wouldn't worry too much about all that. It was probably more timing or somesuch. You did make a great 'ible and at least now you're getting that recognition (late's better than never).

[jtobako]

Just having this is illegal (as in lock you up) in many places unless you have a locksmith license. The cops don't have to show intent-just possession. I felt this needed to be added to the disclaimer.

[pyelitegamerro76]

nope, they need intent (which is completely subjective so you need a damn good excuse) i know because i lockpick as a hobby (i accidentally brought them through airport security, forgot they were in my pockets, didnt make a sound, can anybody say placebo lol, i dont think the security does much) and a set of bogotas can open almoast anything

[jtobako]

Depends on where you are : P "§ 97-17-35. Burglary; possession of burglar's tools. It is unlawful for any person to have in his possession implements, tools, or instruments designed to aid in the commission of burglary, larceny or robbery; and on the conviction of any person thereof, he shall be punished by imprisonment in the penitentiary not exceeding five (5) years, or in the county jail not exceeding one year. The carrying concealed about one's person, or in one's baggage, implements, tools, or instruments peculiarly adapted to aid in the commission of burglary, larceny or robbery, shall be prima facie evidence of intention to use them for such purpose. Sources: Codes, 1892, § 997; Laws, 1906, § 1074; Hemingway's 1917, § 802; Laws, 1930, § 818; Laws, 1942, § 2044; Laws, 1956, ch. 246."(Mississippi) "2. The possession thereof except by a mechanic, artificer or tradesman at and in his established shop or place of business, open to public view, shall be prima facie evidence that such possession was had with intent to use or employ or allow the same to be used or employed in the commission of a crime."(Nevada) "All persons in possession of lockpicking equipment are required to be licensed by the Solicitor General of Alberta by virtue of Section 353 of the Criminal Code, which states: Everyone who sells, offers for sale, purchases or has in his/her possession in a province an automobile master key otherwise than under the authority of a licence issued by the Attorney General of that province, is guilty of an indictable offence "(Alberta, Canada) "Going Equipped 1) Source: Theft Act 1968 Section 25(1) Offence: It is an offence for a person, when not at his place of abode, to have with him any article for use in the course of or in connection with any burglary, theft or cheat."(England-love the phrase 'going equipped') Translation: the only reason you would have them is if you intend to use them. Doesn't apply everywhere, but the letter of the law is what matters in these cases. Many say "with intent"-but not all.

[BorisTheSpider]

There's no license required anywhere in the US. There are plenty of companies that employ people who are not licensed locksmiths. As it turns out, they're much cheaper. Just like you don't hire a chef to cook at a chain restaurant. I'm sure that there may be a place or two with a law that may allow someone to do something to you, but it's rather similar to a police officer pulling you over for going over the limit by 2 or 3 mph. In other words, it just doesn't happen unless A) You seem to be up to something, or B) That officer had a really bad day and you're just the first person he saw.

[jtobako]

c) they want to pin something on you for future use (once you have a criminal record, all the rules change-say goodby to 'presumed innocent') and 'possession of burglary tools' is open to interpretation. d) You got in trouble once (see above). e) Someone with clout was hit recently and the police need to show that they are looking. This doesn't fall under 'bad day' because all the police in the area and the prosecuter will be working against you. CHECK WHERE YOU LIVE. Local laws differ-what is legal in one town or state is different in another! If you aren't a criminal lawyer licensed in all states, DON'T pretend that what you presume is correct. Qualify your statements or show your license.

[BorisTheSpider]

I haven't a license, but I work for a nationwide chain that does this in every state and employs the unlicensed to do exactly this. We also employ regular, professional locksmiths, but that's more or less a separate department (they handle installation, repair, etc. while the unlicensed handle picking and bypassing). We don't have anything special to say we're allowed to carry picks, and almost all of us have at least one small kit we carry everywhere, off-duty as well. Long story short, carrying lockpicks isn't the equivalent of carrying a handgun. Unless you do something stupid in the first place, you won't get into trouble (though they are likely to dig up and pin on you some archaic law once you've already been busted for breaking and entering). If you're still confused, just make one of three calls - to the police department, an attorney, or a locksmith.

[jtobako]

If you name the chain I'd have an easier time believing you : ) Very few 'nation wide chains' have storefronts in every state, and fewer have ones in every location : ) That and a 'nation wide chain' will have a good legal department to CYA .

[BorisTheSpider]

It's hardly fair for me to discuss who I work for in a public forum, but it is very much nationwide, and has an incredible legal department. From my angle, I'd wager more lawyers than locksmiths. ;) I will say this too, the company was actually began by a couple law enforcement officers. Both reasons we're one of the most well-reputed, and (if recollection serves me) the biggest chain in the country.

[four_eyes954]

this is true but now judge/jury is going to convict you for having a hobby

[jtobako]

Now or No? Are you counting on the same system that made spilling your own coffee worth millions of dollars?

[tiki700]

I'm going to go get me a license. Except I don't think I am old enough yet so i guess i will just have to train in secret for now...

[buttersnake]

I made a set about 7 years ago and i used some very strong but small diameter metal rod. I got it at home depot or lowe's one, can't recall it was so long ago. I do remember a common name for it is "musicians steel". Why, i don't know. But it worked great. It also was slightly slippery so it slid in and out of locks very well. I made an entire set and i only ever had to use the rake and the tension rod.

[!Andrew_Modder!]

i allways wanted to make these, but i only have a dremel (grinder is sooo soooo much easier for taking the bulk off these)