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                          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.



