Lock picking is an important skill set that ITS Tactical has featured numerous times. They’ve discussed the practical applications of lock picking and highlighted how it may potentially save a life.
Picks can also be expensive and difficult to acquire for some. Previously we demonstrated how to make your own pick out of a paperclip. Today, I’ll discuss how to craft your own pick set.
Tools & Materials
The pick set itself will be made out of metal. For this tutorial, spring steel from an aircraft wiper blade was used. Hacksaw blades or spring steel from automotive windshield wiper blades may also be used. Keep in mind that a thin set can help when picking certain locks.
In addition to the required materials, a few commonly available tools are needed for the project.
- Grinder or Dremel tool – You can make your picks by using files, but it will take more time
- Sandpaper – You will want to use (at least) 220 grit all the way up to 600. This is to smooth and polish the metal after grinding, allowing it to slide over the pins with ease
- Propane torch
- Pliers
- Cup of water
- Safety Glasses
During this process, please remember to utilize protective equipment and be wary of where any sparks go. It’s hard to use a pick set when you’re blinded by a hot shard of metal!
The Pick
The first thing to do is take your material and cut it to a length that feels good in your hand. This may take a couple of tries. Different lengths work better on certain locks, so experiment.
After you have your material cut to size, it’s time to set up your work area. Take a cup of water and set it in a way that you can dip your pick in as you grind away. You don’t want to heat the metal up too much. Doing so will cause the pick to be very brittle. If you do overheat the metal, you will have to heat treat the steel, which we will discuss later. Do try and avoid this issue though.
Start grinding away at the blade. Take your time and dip it in the water to keep it cool. What you want to end up with is called a pick blank, which can then be further ground into the desired pattern.
From here you need to figure out which pick you want to make. Patterns can be found everywhere on the internet, or you may use the pattern of another pick in your collection. Once you’ve found the desired pattern, use it to grind your blank into a pick. Remember to constantly dip the metal into the water to keep it cool. (Previously, I tried marking the blade with a pattern but found that as I ground away the markings disappeared.)
Once satisfied with the pick, use sandpaper to knock off the rough edges. Work your way to a fine grit to polish it up. This is an important step; the pick must be smooth enough to glide over the pins of the target lock.
The Tension Wrench
A pick is great, but useless without a tension wrench. This is where you need to get your propane torch out. I recommend making the wrench with some spring steel from a wiper blade. You can shape the steel either before the bending or after. It’s a matter of preference, I find it easier to shape the metal if I bend it first.
Bending
Light your propane torch and grip the spring steel with a pair of pliers. Heat the section you want to bend until it is cherry red. This section should be close to the end of the steel. While keeping it in the flame, take another pair of pliers and bend it 90 degrees. Then immediately dunk it into the cup of water. If you have not yet done so, you may shape the tension wrench now.
Shaping the Handle
The tension wrench can be made easier to handle by giving it a twist in the handle area. The process is similar to before: heat the metal up until it is cherry red and, with your two pliers, twist the metal while it is in the flame. Then immediately dunk it into the water. Your result should be something like the wrench in the accompanying photo. The bow isn’t much of a concern, as it will not interfere with the operation of the wrench.
Treating the Steel
If you were hard on the grinder and overheated the pick you will need to heat treat the steel. The process sounds difficult, but is actually quite easy. Just light your torch and with a pair of pliers heat the pick at the cool part of the flame (not the blue cone). Wait for the metal to turn colors, but not cherry red. Once it changes color, work your way down the pick, then set it to the side and let it cool naturally. Your pick has now been heat treated.
Conclusion
After you’ve made your set, you will probably want to put a little oil over the tools to keep them from rusting. When practicing, I will thin out the tension wrench as I try it out in a lock.
With patience you can build a decent set to start learning the skill with. Combine this with a DIY Lock Pick Practice set and you will be well on way your way to mastering the skill of picking locks. So get to the workshop and start picking!
Editor’s Note
We encourage everyone reading this article to get involved with lock picking as a skill set through various lock sport groups such as Toool and Lock Sport International. There’s a large community out there of people who understand the value of this skill-set and also like to have fun picking locks.
Remember, when practicing your set you should always follow the Lock Sport code of ethics.
You may only pick locks you own or those you have been given explicit permission to pick.
Lock sport is an honest, ethical and legitimate hobby. Unfortunately, the whole world hasn’t figured that out yet (though we’re working on it!). Because the lay person has a tendency to perceive what we do as somehow nefarious, it is extra important that we commit to following a strict code of ethics. For this reason, the above credo is non-negotiable in the lock sport community. Lockpicking should never, ever be used for illegal or even questionable purposes. Please do not misuse this information. We assume no responsibility for your actions and in no way condone immoral activity. Help keep locksport fun for all by following strictly the one rule.
Editor-in-Chief’s Note: Please join us in welcoming Chris Rea as a contributor to ITS Tactical. Chris is a former Coast Guard boarding team member and currently working with the Maryland State Police as an Aircraft Mechanic. He also shares our passion for learning all he can and giving back to our community!
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