Car lock repair isnt just about jiggling a coat hanger anymore (though, lets be honest, weve all tried that at some point). The truth is, its become a highly specialized field requiring specific tools and techniques. Just like a surgeon needs more than a butter knife, a modern locksmith relies on a sophisticated arsenal to tackle the increasingly complex world of car security.
Forget the image of a shady character with a slim jim. Todays car lock repair professionals use tools like broken key extractors, designed with tiny hooks and grabbers to fish out snapped key fragments from deep within the lock cylinder. Then there are the specialized picks and decoders, each crafted for different makes and models, bypassing the intricate tumblers and wafers within the lock mechanism. These arent your average picks you can buy at a flea market; were talking precision instruments.
And the techniques themselves have evolved. Lock bumping, a method of using a specially cut key and a bump hammer to manipulate the lock pins, requires skill and timing. Impressioning, the art of creating a key from scratch by decoding the locks internal structure, is a true testament to the locksmiths understanding of the mechanics involved. Even something as seemingly straightforward as using a lock pick gun requires a nuanced touch and knowledge of the specific locks vulnerabilities.
Beyond the tools and techniques, theres a growing emphasis on diagnostics. Modern cars often have electronic components integrated into their locking systems. This means a car lock repair technician might need to use computerized diagnostic tools to identify issues with key fobs, transponder chips, or even the cars central locking module. Its not just about picking locks anymore; its about understanding the intricate network of electronics that control a modern vehicles security.
In short, specialized car lock tools and techniques have transformed car lock repair into a profession requiring both dexterity and technical expertise. The days of the simple slim jim are long gone, replaced by a world of precision instruments and sophisticated methods designed to tackle the ever-evolving challenges of modern car security.
Getting locked out of your car is a universal frustration. It can happen to anyone, anywhere, and usually at the worst possible time. Suddenly, that quick errand turns into a major headache, especially if youre stranded in an unfamiliar place or the weathers taken a turn for the worse. Thats when you need a car locksmith, and not just any locksmith, but the right one. Choosing wisely can save you time, money, and a whole lot of stress.
So how do you find that perfect car locksmith in your moment of need? Start by resisting the urge to panic-dial the first number that pops up on a Google search. Take a deep breath and do a little research. Look for locksmiths with a strong online presence, including a professional website and positive reviews. Pay attention to what other customers are saying – do they mention fast response times, fair pricing, and professional service? These are all good signs.
Another important factor is experience. Car locks are complex, and newer models often have advanced anti-theft systems that require specialized tools and knowledge. A locksmith who specializes in automotive work and stays up-to-date with the latest technology is more likely to get you back in your car quickly and without causing damage.
Dont be afraid to ask questions. A reputable locksmith will be happy to provide information about their services, pricing, and qualifications. Get a quote upfront to avoid any surprises, and be wary of locksmiths who give estimates that seem too good to be true. Lowball prices can sometimes indicate a lack of experience or hidden fees.
Finally, consider availability. Emergencies dont stick to a 9-to-5 schedule, so look for a locksmith that offers 24/7 service. Knowing you have a reliable contact available anytime, day or night, can provide valuable peace of mind. Choosing the right car locksmith is a bit like having a spare tire – you hope you never need it, but youre incredibly grateful when you do. A little preparation can go a long way in turning a lockout nightmare into a minor inconvenience.
Preventing future car lockouts is a smart move, saving you time, money, and the frustration of being stranded. Nobody wants to stand helplessly outside their car, fumbling with a coat hanger or frantically calling a locksmith. Luckily, there are several simple precautions you can take to minimize the risk of this happening again.
One of the most effective strategies is to establish a spare key routine. This doesnt just mean having a spare key; it means having a reliable system for accessing it when you need it. Consider giving a copy to a trusted friend, family member, or neighbor. If you live alone, a magnetic key holder hidden discreetly on your car can be a lifesaver, though be mindful of security implications. Modern technology offers solutions too, like keyless entry systems linked to your smartphone, but remember these rely on your phone's battery life.
Develop good habits with your keys. Designate a specific spot in your home or bag for your keys. This simple act can prevent you from losing them in the first place. Attaching a brightly colored keychain can also make them easier to find if they do get misplaced.
Think ahead about potential vulnerabilities. Cold weather can drain key fob batteries surprisingly quickly, so consider having a spare battery on hand, especially during winter months. Be aware of your surroundings when locking your car. Distractions can lead to accidentally locking your keys inside. Double-checking before you close the door is a second's effort that can save you a lot of hassle.
Finally, if you're prone to locking yourself out, consider professional solutions. Some newer cars offer features like remote unlocking via an app, and some insurance policies include roadside assistance that covers lockouts. Exploring these options can provide extra peace of mind.
Taking a few proactive steps can drastically reduce your chances of experiencing another car lockout. It's a small investment of time and effort that pays off big in the long run.
The cost of car lock repair services is a surprisingly variable beast. It depends on a tangled web of factors, from the complexity of your cars locking system to the time of day you need help. Lets untangle some of those threads.
First, consider the make and model of your car. Older cars with simpler locks are generally cheaper to fix. Newer vehicles, particularly high-end models with advanced keyless entry systems and transponder keys, can significantly bump up the price. Think of it like this: fixing a rusty old padlock is a lot easier (and cheaper) than reprogramming a sophisticated electronic lock.
Then theres the nature of the problem. A simple lockout, where youve locked your keys inside, is usually the least expensive scenario. A lost key, especially a transponder key, requires programming and can cost considerably more. If the lock cylinder itself is damaged or the ignition switch is faulty, expect a higher bill due to parts and labor.
Location plays a role too. Big cities often have higher prices than smaller towns. Calling a locksmith during off-peak hours will usually be cheaper than a late-night or weekend emergency call-out. Remember those premium rates for emergency plumbing on a Sunday? Same principle applies here.
Finally, dont forget about the locksmith themselves. Different companies have different pricing structures. Some may charge a flat fee for certain services, while others charge by the hour. It pays to shop around and get quotes from multiple locksmiths before committing. Dont be shy about asking about additional fees like service call charges or mileage.
So, while its impossible to give a hard and fast number, understanding these factors can help you anticipate the cost of car lock repair services. A little research and a few phone calls can save you from sticker shock and get you back on the road without breaking the bank.
Locksmithing is the work of creating and bypassing locks. Locksmithing is a traditional trade and in many countries requires completion of an apprenticeship. The level of formal education legally required varies by country, ranging from no formal education to a training certificate awarded by an employer, or a full diploma from an engineering college, along with time spent as an apprentice.
A lock is a mechanism that secures buildings, rooms, cabinets, objects, or other storage facilities. A "smith" is a metalworker who shapes metal pieces, often using a forge or mould, into useful objects or to be part of a more complex structure. Thus locksmithing, as its name implies, is the assembly and designing of locks and their respective keys by hand. Most locksmiths use both automatic and manual cutting tools to mold keys, with many of these tools being powered by batteries or mains electricity.
Locks have been constructed for over 2500 years, initially out of wood and later out of metal.[1] Historically, locksmiths would make the entire lock, working for hours hand cutting screws and doing much file-work. Lock designs became significantly more complicated in the 18th century, and locksmiths often specialized in repairing or designing locks.
Although replacing lost keys for automobiles and homes, as well as rekeying locks for security purposes, remains an important part of locksmithing, a 1976 US Government publication noted that modern locksmiths are primarily involved in installing high-quality lock-sets and managing keying and key control systems.
Most locksmiths also provide electronic lock services, such as programming smart keys for transponder-equipped vehicles and implementing access control systems to protect individuals and assets for large institutions.[2] Many also specialise in other areas such as:
In Australia, prospective locksmiths are required to take a Technical and Further Education (TAFE) course in locksmithing, completion of which leads to issuance of a Level 3 Australian Qualifications Framework certificate, and complete an apprenticeship. They must also pass a criminal records check certifying that they are not currently wanted by the police. Apprenticeships can last one to four years. Course requirements are variable: there is a minimal requirements version that requires fewer total training units, and a fuller version that teaches more advanced skills, but takes more time to complete. Apprenticeship and course availability vary by state or territory.[3]
In Ireland, licensing for locksmiths was introduced in 2016,[4] with locksmiths having to obtain a Private Security Authority license. The Irish Locksmith Organisation has 50 members with ongoing training to ensure all members are up-to-date with knowledge and skills.
In the UK, there is no current government regulation for locksmithing, so effectively anyone can trade and operate as a locksmith with no skill or knowledge of the industry.[5]
Fifteen states in the United States require licensure for locksmiths. Nassau County and New York City in New York State, and Hillsborough County and Miami-Dade County in Florida have their own licensing laws.[6] State and local laws are described in the table below. 15 states require locksmith licensing: Alabama, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Nebraska, New Jersey, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia
Locksmiths may be commercial (working out of a storefront), mobile (working out of a vehicle), institutional (employed by an institution) or investigatory (forensic locksmiths) or may specialize in one aspect of the skill, such as an automotive lock specialist, a master key system specialist or a safe technician.[2] Many locksmiths also work as security consultants, but not all security consultants possess locksmithing skills. Locksmiths are frequently certified in specific skill areas or to a level of skill within the trade. This is separate from certificates of completion of training courses. In determining skill levels, certifications from manufacturers or locksmith associations are usually more valid criteria than certificates of completion. Some locksmiths decide to call themselves "Master Locksmiths" whether they are fully trained or not, and some training certificates appear quite authoritative.
The majority of locksmiths also work on any existing door hardware, not just locking mechanisms. This includes door closers, door hinges, electric strikes, frame repairs and other door hardware.
The issue of full disclosure was first raised in the context of locksmithing, in a 19th-century controversy regarding whether weaknesses in lock systems should be kept secret in the locksmithing community, or revealed to the public.
According to A. C. Hobbs:
A commercial, and in some respects a social doubt has been started within the last year or two, whether or not it is right to discuss so openly the security or insecurity of locks. Many well-meaning persons suppose that the discussion respecting the means for baffling the supposed safety of locks offers a premium for dishonesty, by showing others how to be dishonest. This is a fallacy. Rogues are very keen in their profession, and know already much more than we can teach them respecting their several kinds of roguery. Rogues knew a good deal about lock-picking long before locksmiths discussed it among themselves, as they have lately done. If a lock, let it have been made in whatever country, or by whatever maker, is not so inviolable as it has hitherto been deemed to be, surely it is to the interest of honest persons to know this fact, because the dishonest are tolerably certain to apply the knowledge practically; and the spread of the knowledge is necessary to give fair play to those who might suffer by ignorance. It cannot be too earnestly urged that an acquaintance with real facts will, in the end, be better for all parties. Some time ago, when the reading public was alarmed at being told how London milk is adulterated, timid persons deprecated the exposure, on the plea that it would give instructions in the art of adulterating milk; a vain fear, milkmen knew all about it before, whether they practised it or not; and the exposure only taught purchasers the necessity of a little scrutiny and caution, leaving them to obey this necessity or not, as they pleased.
A commercial, and in some respects a social doubt has been started within the last year or two, whether or not it is right to discuss so openly the security or insecurity of locks. Many well-meaning persons suppose that the discussion respecting the means for baffling the supposed safety of locks offers a premium for dishonesty, by showing others how to be dishonest. This is a fallacy. Rogues are very keen in their profession, and know already much more than we can teach them respecting their several kinds of roguery.
Rogues knew a good deal about lock-picking long before locksmiths discussed it among themselves, as they have lately done. If a lock, let it have been made in whatever country, or by whatever maker, is not so inviolable as it has hitherto been deemed to be, surely it is to the interest of honest persons to know this fact, because the dishonest are tolerably certain to apply the knowledge practically; and the spread of the knowledge is necessary to give fair play to those who might suffer by ignorance.
It cannot be too earnestly urged that an acquaintance with real facts will, in the end, be better for all parties. Some time ago, when the reading public was alarmed at being told how London milk is adulterated, timid persons deprecated the exposure, on the plea that it would give instructions in the art of adulterating milk; a vain fear, milkmen knew all about it before, whether they practised it or not; and the exposure only taught purchasers the necessity of a little scrutiny and caution, leaving them to obey this necessity or not, as they pleased.
A smart key is a vehicular passive entry system developed by Siemens in 1995 and introduced by Mercedes-Benz under the name "Keyless-Go" in 1998 on the W220 S-Class,[1] after the design patent was filed by Daimler-Benz on May 17, 1997.[2]
Numerous manufacturers subsequently developed similar passive systems that unlock a vehicle on approach — while the key remains pocketed by the user.
The smart key allows the driver to keep the key fob pocketed when unlocking, locking and starting the vehicle. The key is identified via one of several antennas in the car's bodywork and an ISM band radio pulse generator in the key housing. Depending on the system, the vehicle is automatically unlocked when a button or sensor on the door handle or trunk release is pressed. Vehicles with a smart-key system have a mechanical backup, usually in the form of a spare key blade supplied with the vehicle. Some manufacturers hide the backup lock behind a cover for styling.
Vehicles with a smart-key system can disengage the immobilizer and activate the ignition without inserting a key in the ignition, provided the driver has the key inside the car. On most vehicles, this is done by pressing a starter button or twisting an ignition switch.
When leaving a vehicle that is equipped with a smart-key system, the vehicle is locked by either pressing a button on a door handle, touching a capacitive area on a door handle, or simply walking away from the vehicle. The method of locking varies across models.
Some vehicles automatically adjust settings based on the smart key used to unlock the car. User preferences such as seat positions, steering wheel position, exterior mirror settings, climate control (e.g. temperature) settings, and stereo presets are popular adjustments. Some models, such as the Ford Escape, even have settings to prevent the vehicle from exceeding a maximum speed if it has been started with a certain key.
In 2005, the UK motor insurance research expert Thatcham introduced a standard for keyless entry, requiring the device to be inoperable at a distance of more than 10 cm from the vehicle.[citation needed] In an independent test, the Nissan Micra's system was found to be the most secure, while certain BMW and Mercedes keys failed, being theoretically capable of allowing cars to be driven away while their owners were refueling.[3] Despite these security vulnerabilities, auto theft rates have decreased 7 percent between 2009 and 2010, and the National Insurance Crime Bureau credits smart keys for this decrease.[4][5]
SmartKeys were developed by Siemens in the mid-1990s and introduced by Mercedes-Benz in 1997 to replace the infrared security system introduced in 1989. Daimler-Benz filed the first patents for SmartKey on February 28, 1997, in German patent offices, with multifunction switchblade key variants following on May 17, 1997.[6][7][8][9] The device entailed a plastic key to be used in place of the traditional metal key. Electronics that control locking systems and the ignitions made it possible to replace the traditional key with a sophisticated computerized "Key". It is considered a step up from remote keyless entry. The SmartKey adopts the remote control buttons from keyless entry, and incorporates them into the SmartKey fob.
Once inside a Mercedes-Benz vehicle, the SmartKey fob, unlike keyless entry fobs, is placed in the ignition slot where a starter computer verifies the rolling code. Verified in milliseconds, it can then be turned as a traditional key to start the engine. The device was designed with the cooperation of Siemens Automotive and Huf exclusively for Mercedes-Benz, but many luxury manufacturers have implemented similar technology based on the same idea.[citation needed] In addition to the SmartKey, Mercedes-Benz now integrates as an option Keyless Go; this feature allows the driver to keep the SmartKey in their pocket, yet giving them the ability to open the doors, trunk as well as starting the car without ever removing it from their pocket.
The SmartKey's electronics are embedded in a hollow, triangular piece of plastic, wide at the top, narrow at the bottom, squared-off at the tip with a half-inch-long insert piece. The side of the SmartKey also hides a traditional Mercedes-Benz key that can be pulled out from a release at the top. The metal key is used for valet purposes such as locking the glove compartment and/or trunk before the SmartKey is turned over to a parking attendant. Once locked manually, the trunk cannot be opened with the SmartKey or interior buttons. The key fob utilizes a radio-frequency transponder to communicate with the door locks, but it uses infrared to communicate with the engine immobilizer system. The original SmartKeys had a limited frequency and could have only been used in line-of-sight for safety purposes. The driver can also point the smart key at the front driver side door while pushing and holding the unlock button on the SmartKey and the windows and the sunroof will open in order to ventilate the cabin. Similarly, if the same procedure is completed while holding the lock button, the windows and sunroof will close. In cars equipped with the Active Ventilated Seats, the summer opening feature will activate seat ventilation in addition to opening the windows and sunroof.[citation needed]
Display Key is a type of smart key developed by BMW that includes a small LCD color touchscreen on it. It performs the standard functions that a key fob would normally do such as locking, unlocking & keyless start, but because of the screen the user can also perform a number of the features from BMW's app. One of which includes commanding the car to self park from the key if your car has self parking capability. The key is currently available for the 3 Series, 4 Series, 5 Series, 6 Series, 7 Series, 8 Series, X3, X4, X5, X6, and X7. The key is rechargeable and will last about 3 weeks. It can be charged via a micro USB port on the side or wirelessly on the center console.
Keyless Go (also: Keyless Entry / Go; Passive Entry / Go) is Mercedes' term for an automotive technology which allows a driver to lock and unlock a vehicle without using the corresponding SmartKey buttons.[10] Once a driver enters a vehicle with an equipped Keyless Go SmartKey or Keyless Go wallet-size card, they have the ability to start and stop the engine, without inserting the SmartKey. A transponder built within the SmartKey allows the vehicle to identify a driver. An additional safety feature is integrated into the vehicle, making it impossible to lock a SmartKey with Keyless Go inside a vehicle.
The system works by having a series of LF (low frequency 125 kHz) transmitting antennas both inside and outside the vehicle. The external antennas are located in the door handles. When the vehicle is triggered, either by pulling the handle or touching the handle, an LF signal is transmitted from the antennas to the key. The key becomes activated if it is sufficiently close and it transmits its ID back to the vehicle via RF (Radio frequency >300 MHz) to a receiver located in the vehicle. If the key has the correct ID, the PASE module unlocks the vehicle.
The hardware blocks of a Keyless Entry / Go Electronic control unit ECU are based on its functionality:
The smart key determines if it is inside or outside the vehicle by measuring the strength of the LF fields. In order to start the vehicle, the smart key must be inside the vehicle.
It is important that the vehicle can't be started when the user and therefore the smart key is outside the vehicle. This is especially important at fueling stations where the user is very close to the vehicle. The internal LF field is allowed to overshoot by a maximum of 10 cm to help minimise this risk. Maximum overshoot is usually found on the side windows where there is very little attenuation of the signal.
A second scenario exists under the name "relay station attack" (RSA). The RSA is based on the idea of reducing the long physical distance between the car and the regular car owner's SmartKey. Two relay stations will be needed for this: The first relay station is located nearby the car and the second is close to the SmartKey. So on first view, the Keyless Entry / Go ECU and the SmartKey could communicate together. A third person at the car could pull the door handle and the door would open. However, in every Keyless Entry / Go system provisions exist to avoid a successful two-way communication via RSA. Some of the most known are:
Furthermore, Keyless Entry / Go communicates with other Control Units within the same vehicle. Depending on the electric car architecture, the following are some Control Systems that can be enabled or disabled:
Another possibility is using a motion sensor within the key fob.[11][12]
Dead spots are a result of the maximum overshoot requirement from above. The power delivered to the internal LF antennas has to be tuned to provide the best performance i.e. minimum dead spots and maximum average overshoot. Dead spots are usually near the extremities of the vehicle e.g. the rear parcel shelf.
If the battery in the smart key becomes depleted, it is necessary for there to be a backup method of opening and starting the vehicle. Opening is achieved by an emergency (fully mechanical) key blade usually hidden in the smart key. On many cars emergency starting is achieved by use of an inductive coupling. The user either has to put the key in a slot or hold it near a special area on the cockpit, where there is an inductive coil hidden behind which transfers energy to a matching coil in the dead key fob using inductive charging.
Slots have proven to be problematic, as they can go wrong and the key becomes locked in and cannot be removed. Another problem with the slot is it can't compensate for a fob battery below certain operating threshold. Most smart key batteries are temperature sensitive causing the fob to become intermittent, fully functional, or inoperative all in the same day.
A Keyless Entry / Go system should be able to detect and handle most of the following cases:
A test by ADAC revealed that 20 car models with Keyless Go could be entered and driven away without the key.[13][14][15][16] In 2014, 6,000 cars (about 17 per day) were stolen using keyless entry in London.[17]
Lock picking is the practice of unlocking a lock by manipulating the components of the lock device without the original key.
Although lock-picking can be associated with criminal intent, it is an essential skill for the legitimate profession of locksmithing, and is also pursued by law-abiding citizens as a useful skill to learn, or simply as a hobby (locksport).
In some countries, such as Japan, lock-picking tools are illegal for most people to possess, but in many others, they are available and legal to own as long as there is no intent to use them for criminal purposes.
Locks by definition secure or fasten something with the intention that access is possible only with the matching key. Despite this, criminal lock picking likely started with the first locks. Famed locksmith Alfred Charles Hobbs said in the mid-1800s:
Rogues are very keen on their profession and know already much more than we can teach them respecting their several kinds of roguery. Rogues knew a good deal about lock-picking long before locksmiths discussed it among themselves...[1]
Professional and recreational lock picking also has a long history. King Louis XVI of France (1754–1793) was a keen designer, picker, and manipulator of locks,[2] and physicist Richard Feynman picked locks for fun in the 1940s while employed on the Manhattan Project. The tradition of student roof and tunnel hacking at MIT included lockpicking,[3] and their guide to this was made widely available in 1991.[4]
Beginning in 1997[5] more organized recreational lockpicking has now grown and developed a competitive aspect in "locksport", along with its own governing body, Locksport International.[6][7]
The warded pick, also known as a skeleton key, is used for opening warded locks. It is generally made to conform to a generalized key shape relatively simpler than the actual key used to open the lock; this simpler shape allows for internal manipulations.
The keys for warded locks only require the back end manipulating which is the end which opens the lock. The other parts are there to distinguish between different varieties of their locks. For example, for a chest of drawers with a warded lock, a skeleton key for that type of warded lock can be made by filing away all but the last one or two teeth or bittings on both sides of the blade. Additionally, a series of grooves on either side of the key's blade limit the type of lock the key can slide into. As the key slides into the lock through the keyway, the wards align with the grooves in the key's profile to allow or deny entry into the lock cylinder.
Comb picks push all the key and driver pins above the shear line allowing you to open the lock.
The tension wrench or torsion wrench, is generally used when picking a pin tumbler or wafer lock. It is used to apply torque to the plug of a lock to hold any picked pins in place. Once all pins are picked, the tension wrench is then used to turn the plug and open the lock. There are two basic types of tension: "bottom of the keyway" and "top of the keyway". The bottom of the keyway wrenches is typically shaped like a letter "L", although the vertical part of the letter is elongated in comparison to the horizontal part. Other tension tools, especially those for use with cars, resemble a pair of tweezers and allow the user to apply torque to both the top and the bottom of the lock. These are commonly used with double-sided wafer locks.
This versatile pick is included in nearly all kits and is mainly used for picking individual pins, but can also be used for raking and wafer and disk locks. The triangular-shaped half-diamond is usually 2.5 to 12.2 millimetres (0.098 to 0.480 inches) long. The angles that form the base of the half-diamond can be either steep or shallow, depending on the need for picking without affecting neighboring pins, or raking as appropriate. A normal set comprises around three half-diamond picks and a full-diamond pick.
The hook pick is similar to the half-diamond pick but has a hook-shaped tip rather than a half-diamond shape. The hook pick is sometimes referred to as a "feeler" or "finger" and is not used for raking. This is the most basic lockpicking tool and is all that a professional will usually need if the lock is to be picked in the traditional sense rather than opened by raking or using a pick gun. A variety of differently sized and shaped hooks are available in a normal set.
The ball pick is similar to the half-diamond pick, except the end of the pick has a half or full circle shape. This pick is commonly used to open wafer locks.
These picks, such as the common snake rake, are designed to rake pins by rapidly sliding the pick past all the pins, repeatedly, to bounce the pins until they reach the shear line. This method requires much less skill than picking pins individually and generally works well on cheaper locks. Advanced rakes are available which are shaped to mimic various pin height key positions and are considerably easier to use than traditional rakes. Such rakes are typically machined from a template of common key configurations since not all permutations of pin heights for adjacent pins are possible given the process by which keys are manufactured.
The decoder pick is a key which has been adapted such that the height of its notches can be changed, either by screwing them into the blade base or by adjusting them from the handle while the key is in the lock. This will allow not only access to the lock but also a template for cutting a replacement key.
The simplest way to open the majority of pin locks is to insert a key (or variety of keys) that has been cut so that each peak of the key is equal and has been cut down to the lowest groove of the key. This key is then struck sharply with a hammer whilst applying torque. The force of the blow is carried down the length of the key and (operating as does a Newton's cradle) will move only the driver pins, leaving the key pins in place. If done correctly, this briefly creates a gap around the shear line, allowing the plug to rotate freely.[8] Some modern high-security locks include bumping protection, such as Master Lock's "BumpStop"[9] and ILCO's "Bump Halt"[10] technology.
The majority of wafer tumbler locks can be opened with a set of jigglers or try-out keys. They can also be opened with pin-tumbler picks.
The manual pick gun (or snap gun) was invented by Ely Epstein.[11] It usually has a trigger that creates a movement which (like bump keys) transfers sudden energy to the key pins, which communicate this to the driver pins, causing only those pins to jump, allowing the cylinder to turn freely for a brief moment, until the pin springs return the pins to their locking position. Electric versions are also common, whereby simply pressing a button vibrates the pins while a normal torsion wrench is being used.
A tubular lock pick is a specialized lockpicking tool used for opening a tubular pin tumbler lock. Tubular lock picks are all very similar in design and come in sizes to fit all major tubular locks, including 6, 7, 8, and 10-pin locks. The tool is simply inserted into the lock and turned clockwise with medium torque. As the tool is pushed into the lock, each of the pins is slowly forced down until they stop, thus binding the driver pins behind the shear line of the lock. When the final pin is pushed down, the shear plane is clear and the lock opens. This can usually be accomplished in a matter of seconds.
Most tubular lock picks come with a "decoder" which lets the locksmith know at what depths the pins broke the shear plane. By using the decoding key after the lock has been picked, the locksmith can cut a tubular key to the correct pin depths and thus avoid having to replace the lock.
The history of lock development, particularly modern locks, is largely one of an arms race between lock pickers and lock inventors.
Today's anti-picking methods in standard pin tumbler locks include the use of sidewards which obstruct the keyway and "security pins" or "carnival pins". These are shaped like a spool, mushroom, or barrel, with the effect that they feel as though they have set when in fact they have not.[12] Security pins can also have the effect of resetting other pins when adjusted.
In Australia, possession of lock picking equipment is legal. However, it may count toward evidence of intent to commit a crime if otherwise incriminating circumstances warrant reasonable suspicion by police. For example, Queensland state law states:
"A person possessing lock picks, an electronic car door lock scanner, or a jemmy in other than easily explainable circumstances, e.g., a locksmith, carpenter, or a person undertaking home renovations, may warrant the suspicion of police that the person may intend to used [sic] the equipment for a burglary or vehicle theft. Obviously, the suspicion held by police must be reasonable and therefore will be dependent on the circumstances under which the person is found with the items."[13][14]
In B.C. and Ontario Canada, a license is required to carry out locksmithing professionally.[15][16] It is legal for hobbyists who are not locksmiths to pick locks that they own.[citation needed]
Under Section 351 of the Canadian Criminal Code, lock pick tools fit in the same category as crowbars or hammers, meaning they are legal to possess and use unless they are used to commit a crime or if it is shown there was the intention to commit a crime.
The relevant section states: "Every person who, without lawful excuse, has in their possession any instrument suitable for breaking into any place, motor vehicle, vault or safe knowing that the instrument has been used or is intended to be used for that purpose,
(a) is guilty of an indictable offense and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years; or
(b) is guilty of an offense punishable on summary conviction."[17]
Some provinces require a license to carry lock picks.[18] Unlike most laws in Canada, the onus is on the defendant to prove that they have a legal purpose to use the lock picks. Similar to some drug trafficking offenses, this may be automatically applied if possession is discovered, though corroborating evidence is needed to support these charges.[19] Hobbyist use and indications thereof should constitute reasonable doubt, though the defendant must prove legal purposes, the crown must still indicate the charges are reasonable given the circumstances. For example, the discovery of lock picks in a dwelling house in absence of other indications of burglary are not grounds for this charge.[20] It is not uncommon for hackathon events in Canada to have lock picking challenges, and this would constitute a reasonable and legal reason for possession.
There is no law or regulation on lock picking, so it is legal as long as one has permission from the owner of the lock to pick the lock in question. Lock picking tools can be freely bought and sold. There are several clubs where lock picking is practiced as a sport.[21] Lock picking has also become a popular part of geocaching in Germany.[22] There are also lock picking workshops at geocaching events.[23]
Most countries of the European Union don't regulate the possession of lockpicks. All responsibility concerning criminal or legal acts using the picks is taken by the owner of the lockpicks.
Unusually for a country in the EU, ownership of lock picks in Hungary on public property is prohibited. [24]
Japan's law prohibits possession of any lock picking tools and imposes a penalty of one-year imprisonment or a 500,000 yen fine.[25]
In the Netherlands, owning lock picks is legal, but using them on someone else's locks without permission is not. There is a lock picking championship, the Dutch Open (organized by TOOOL), which started in 2002 and features competitors from around the world. The competition is held during LockCon, an annual conference about locks.[26][27]
In New Zealand, lock picking tools are not illegal, but possession with the intent to use them for burglary carries a potential penalty of three years in prison.[28]
In Poland, according to Article 129/1 of the Misdemeanor Code: both (1) possessing, producing or obtaining a lock pick by a person whose profession and occupation does not require it; and (2) delivering a lock pick to a person whose profession and occupation does not require it is punishable with arrest, freedom limitation or fine - and (3) a lock pick is forfeited even if it was not the property of the principal.[29]
In England and Wales, a person who, not within their abode, has any article to be used in the course of or in connection with any burglary or theft can potentially be prosecuted.[30] A successful prosecution would need to prove intention to use the tools for that purpose at the time of possession.[31] As an either way offence, the maximum penalty for this is 3 years imprisonment if tried in the Crown Court, and 12 months if tried in the Magistrates' Court.[32]
In the United States, laws concerning possession of lock picks vary from state to state. Generally, possession and use of lock picks is considered equivalent to the possession of a crowbar or any other tool that may or may not be used in a burglary. Possession of lock picks with an intent for their unlawful use is generally prosecuted as a misdemeanor under the category of possession of burglary tools or similar statutes. In many states, simple possession of lock picks is completely legal, as the statutes only prohibit the possession of lock picks or the activity of lock picking when there is a malicious intent.[33] This is the case in Arizona,[34] California,[33] Utah,[35] Maine,[36] Massachusetts,[37] New Hampshire,[38] Washington D.C., Washington State,[39] and New York.[40] Some states, such as California and New York, impose restrictions on businesses, such as prohibiting the operation of a locksmithing business without a license and imposing requirements to keep records about sales of lock picking devices.[33][41][42]
Executive Summary: The MIT Hacking community is saddened by the series of recent events which have made the "MIT Guide To Lockpicking" available electronically in a indiscriminate fashion.
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&origin=38.917508439839,-94.744833316782&destination=8901+West+101st+Terrace%2C+8901+W+101st+Terrace%2C+Overland+Park%2C+KS+66212%2C+USA&destination_place_id=EjI4OTAxIFcgMTAxc3QgVGVycmFjZSwgT3ZlcmxhbmQgUGFyaywgS1MgNjYyMTIsIFVTQSIxEi8KFAoSCYv71s0H68CHEemGzHJavGw8EMVFKhQKEgmTpI_Qz-vAhxGsol12h4dwXw&travelmode=driving&query=house+lockout+Overland+Park+KS
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&origin=38.892355265895,-94.647765220572&destination=8901+West+101st+Terrace%2C+8901+W+101st+Terrace%2C+Overland+Park%2C+KS+66212%2C+USA&destination_place_id=EjI4OTAxIFcgMTAxc3QgVGVycmFjZSwgT3ZlcmxhbmQgUGFyaywgS1MgNjYyMTIsIFVTQSIxEi8KFAoSCYv71s0H68CHEemGzHJavGw8EMVFKhQKEgmTpI_Qz-vAhxGsol12h4dwXw&travelmode=driving&query=commercial+locksmith+Overland+Park
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&origin=38.916339581476,-94.642951546552&destination=8901+West+101st+Terrace%2C+8901+W+101st+Terrace%2C+Overland+Park%2C+KS+66212%2C+USA&destination_place_id=EjI4OTAxIFcgMTAxc3QgVGVycmFjZSwgT3ZlcmxhbmQgUGFyaywgS1MgNjYyMTIsIFVTQSIxEi8KFAoSCYv71s0H68CHEemGzHJavGw8EMVFKhQKEgmTpI_Qz-vAhxGsol12h4dwXw&travelmode=driving&query=Locksmith+Overland+Park%2C+KS
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&origin=38.947698339408,-94.698018555128&destination=8901+West+101st+Terrace%2C+8901+W+101st+Terrace%2C+Overland+Park%2C+KS+66212%2C+USA&destination_place_id=EjI4OTAxIFcgMTAxc3QgVGVycmFjZSwgT3ZlcmxhbmQgUGFyaywgS1MgNjYyMTIsIFVTQSIxEi8KFAoSCYv71s0H68CHEemGzHJavGw8EMVFKhQKEgmTpI_Qz-vAhxGsol12h4dwXw&travelmode=driving&query=lockout+service+Overland+Park
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&origin=39.000319306041,-94.727861312255&destination=8901+West+101st+Terrace%2C+8901+W+101st+Terrace%2C+Overland+Park%2C+KS+66212%2C+USA&destination_place_id=EjI4OTAxIFcgMTAxc3QgVGVycmFjZSwgT3ZlcmxhbmQgUGFyaywgS1MgNjYyMTIsIFVTQSIxEi8KFAoSCYv71s0H68CHEemGzHJavGw8EMVFKhQKEgmTpI_Qz-vAhxGsol12h4dwXw&travelmode=driving&query=commercial+locksmith+Overland+Park
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&origin=38.913456366448,-94.636558055892&destination=8901+West+101st+Terrace%2C+8901+W+101st+Terrace%2C+Overland+Park%2C+KS+66212%2C+USA&destination_place_id=EjI4OTAxIFcgMTAxc3QgVGVycmFjZSwgT3ZlcmxhbmQgUGFyaywgS1MgNjYyMTIsIFVTQSIxEi8KFAoSCYv71s0H68CHEemGzHJavGw8EMVFKhQKEgmTpI_Qz-vAhxGsol12h4dwXw&travelmode=driving&query=ignition+repair+Overland+Park+KS
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&origin=38.97121745672,-94.608760147562&destination=8901+West+101st+Terrace%2C+8901+W+101st+Terrace%2C+Overland+Park%2C+KS+66212%2C+USA&destination_place_id=EjI4OTAxIFcgMTAxc3QgVGVycmFjZSwgT3ZlcmxhbmQgUGFyaywgS1MgNjYyMTIsIFVTQSIxEi8KFAoSCYv71s0H68CHEemGzHJavGw8EMVFKhQKEgmTpI_Qz-vAhxGsol12h4dwXw&travelmode=driving&query=mobile+locksmith+Overland+Park
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&origin=38.970380379766,-94.685518137918&destination=8901+West+101st+Terrace%2C+8901+W+101st+Terrace%2C+Overland+Park%2C+KS+66212%2C+USA&destination_place_id=EjI4OTAxIFcgMTAxc3QgVGVycmFjZSwgT3ZlcmxhbmQgUGFyaywgS1MgNjYyMTIsIFVTQSIxEi8KFAoSCYv71s0H68CHEemGzHJavGw8EMVFKhQKEgmTpI_Qz-vAhxGsol12h4dwXw&travelmode=driving&query=lock+installation+Overland+Park
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&origin=38.917383757612,-94.660680317465&destination=8901+West+101st+Terrace%2C+8901+W+101st+Terrace%2C+Overland+Park%2C+KS+66212%2C+USA&destination_place_id=EjI4OTAxIFcgMTAxc3QgVGVycmFjZSwgT3ZlcmxhbmQgUGFyaywgS1MgNjYyMTIsIFVTQSIxEi8KFAoSCYv71s0H68CHEemGzHJavGw8EMVFKhQKEgmTpI_Qz-vAhxGsol12h4dwXw&travelmode=driving&query=key+duplication+Overland+Park+KS
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&origin=38.971413523853,-94.604095741421&destination=8901+West+101st+Terrace%2C+8901+W+101st+Terrace%2C+Overland+Park%2C+KS+66212%2C+USA&destination_place_id=EjI4OTAxIFcgMTAxc3QgVGVycmFjZSwgT3ZlcmxhbmQgUGFyaywgS1MgNjYyMTIsIFVTQSIxEi8KFAoSCYv71s0H68CHEemGzHJavGw8EMVFKhQKEgmTpI_Qz-vAhxGsol12h4dwXw&travelmode=driving&query=ignition+repair+Overland+Park+KS