How to Pick a Lock (works With Paperclips)

In this instructable I will describe how to pick a common pin-and-tumbler design lock. I will describe all of the important information needed to pick a lock. Here is a video of me picking a lock.

Step 1: Supplies and Important Information

Probably the most important thing to know, when picking a lock, is how the lock works. The common pin-and-tumbler has 3 main parts- a hollow, outer cylinder- - the tumbler (the inner cylinder) – and a set of pins. The pins are varying lengths and each pin sits in a shaft, running through the tumbler and the outer cylinder, to prevent the tumbler from turning. All of the pins are in two pieces, a top and bottom section, when the key is inserted the seam between the top and bottom pins align with the seam between the outer cylinder and the tumbler. When the seams are aligned the tumbler can be turned and the lock is opened. When picking a lock you have to use a pick to move all of the pins into the correct position while keeping tension on the lock with a tension wrench.

Step 2: Step 1

The first step is to insert the tension wrench into the lock and turn it the same direction that you would turn the key. There are two ways to pick a lock-- you can move each pin into place one at a time or you can use the technique called raking, raking a lock is not as precise and usually requires finishing by picking the last of the pins that do not fall into place-- when raking the lock you insert the pick to the back of the lock then pull it quickly out pushing all of the pins up while applying tension (this is the technique I started with in the video).

Step 3: Step 2

When you move all of the pins into place the tumbler will turn unlocking the lock. The concept of picking a lock is simple but it is difficult to actually do. I hope you enjoyed this instrutable, if you have any questions just comment below.