1 2:::::; The Thieves Handbook Volume I Lock Picks Table of Contents Chapter 1.................................................Introduction Chapter 2......................................Constructing Lock Picks 2.1 Materials 2.2 Types of Picks 2.3 Construction 2.4 Small Extras Chapter 3...........................................How to pick a lock Chapter 1: Introduction I, as a thief had often found the most annoying barrier to be a lock. And the most valuable of tools of a thief are indeed lock picks. Lock picks will give you entry to quite alot of places,that use tumbler type locks.It is impossible for me to express how much value these lock picks are to a thief, which is why I wrote wanted to write this handbook. With a few easy to get materials, one will have to ability to open even deadbolts in a matter of seconds. All one will have to do is follow the instructions in the next couple of chapters to have their own set of picks. Real picks, which are not to easy to come by, are also expensive. Also included are ways to pick locks. Chapter 2: Constructing lock picks 2.1 Materials First one will need strong metal,if possible clock spring steel to use to make the picks. I have used the flat part of a regular butterknife, or one of those small screwdrivers. An Allen wrench is good for a tension bar. You will also need something to forge a piece of metal into a pick, like a grinder, sander, files or maybe even a metal cutter. 2.2 Types of picks There are several types of lock picks, ranging from several shaped ends on the end of the pick. Only a few will be discussed here because these few are the most common. The most valuable of picks is the Rake. The rake has a double curved shape at the end, which places the pins were you want them. (See Figure 1) As you can see, the curves must be made like in the diagram, and extremly rounded. Also needed is the Tension Bar. (Figure 2). (Figure 1) __1_cm___ / __ \ / \ __ \ ________________________/ _ \/ \ | 1/2 cm / \__/\/ | ________________________/ / (Figure 2) ___________4_in.___________ / \ ___________________________ |__________________________\ \ \| | | | 1 inch | | | / 2.3 Construction Well, you will need some strong sheet metal, or clock spring steel, you can use the thin part of a butterknife (Hey, it works!) and grind the metal to somewhat the shape of the pick and file the rest with a metal file (triangular file, if you have it). then all you have to do is make the tension bar. (Allen wrenchs work good,. all you have to do is thin the small curved part so it is about .5 mm in thickness, the width of the Allen wrench should be about 2mm and no less than 3/4 of an inch long). 2.4 Small extras If you want, you can construct several other picks, of different styles, but the rake is the most common, also if you want, you can make several rakes, and tension bars of different sizes, because of the fact that differnt locks feel more comfortable with the correct size pick. Don't vary the size for more than a mm or 2, because the pick wont affect the pins then. Chapter 3: How to pick a lock Most people believe that to pick a lock, they shove a rake into the lock, then a tension bar, and shove, push, and pull to get the lock to open. If this type of picking is used, you will be a lucky person to even open one lock. Therefore, the proper way of picking a lock must be explained. First thing to learn is that a common lock is made of a core (the center part that moves when you insert a key), and the outside of the core, which stays stationary. A pin can be located in a hole drilled through the core, and outside of the core, is a pin, there are usually 5 or 6 of these cylinders in a lock. There is a lower pin, an upper pin, and a spring, in that order. Now, when the space between where the two pins meet should be at the space where the core meets the outside part of the lock, when this happens the core will move freely. The space between the core and outer part is called the "shear line". So, the purpose is to bring all the upper pins to the shear line, so they will remain there. After each of the upper pins are there, just turn to unlock it. By the way, it's clockwise to unlock, counterclockwise to lock it back, if you want. How do the upper pins stay up you ask? Well, remember those cylinders?... They are not all drilled at the exact same place, so it does not form a perfect line (it is imposible to drill them exactly right, they might be off by a fraction of a mm) Anyway, when you have tension on there, the pins will get "caught" up there above the shear line, in no order. So tension has to stay constant when picking. Not too much tension, but some. First place the tension bar in the lock, at the bottom, so the shorter part of the tension bar is is vertical,and put tension on, and as the pins raise to the shear line, they move the core ever so slightly, but you will notice, and all you have to do, is do it to all the pins, and you will open the lock. Dont push the pins too far up, or they can get caught above the shear line. And be persistent, because it takes awhile to get the hang of it. Have Fun! Brought to you by: The Thief's Society.  __1_cm___ / __ \ / \ w[7e[Me 2w@7[ Ș0gp h[3h4 0h\ H\'B BDF##%moqsuwyd3xGGY[]_a(m%''l< + Z " / 1 U z z ! K u w y  ] , q  =13579Y[]_.sBV%j9~Ma0u  M Arialis the most common, also if you want, you can make several rakes, and tension bars of different sizes, because o