Shape the end of a wire coat hanger into a spike. Gently tease the internal mechanism of the old lock. Aim to lift or slide any catches or loops. Look and feel for the mechanism giving way, then push the wire farther. Try to open the door or lid of the object you are unlocking. Ask for assistance if you think it will help.
Learning how to pick a skeleton key lock can be very useful. This is not a criminal skill if you do not use it for criminal activity. You might find yourself locked out of an important area (i.e. A home or office) and learning how to bypass a skeleton key lock can prove invaluable. It’s not always easy. After all, locks are made to or other buildings.A skeleton key is often known as a lever lock. You only need a few simple tools to be able to complete the task in a timely manner.How to Pick a Skeleton Key LockThe only tools you will need are a short hook and a tension wrench.
Follow the steps below to easily pick one of these locks.1. Insert the tension wrench at the bottom of the lock and turn it as far as you can in whatever direction you would turn the key.2.
Insert the short hook all the way into the back of the lock.3. Find the very first pin that is in the lock and push it up with the short hook. You can move on to the next pin once you feel the first pin click.4. Repeat the process with the next pin. The tension wrench will keep the pins in place so you do not have to worry about them.5.
Keep repeating the process until the lock is completely cleared.Locksmith services can be very expensive. If you can learn how to pick a skeleton key lock and master the process, you could end up saving yourself a bundle of money. You should practice this skill a few times at home. Make sure you have a key in case you fail at picking the lock.The next time you end up locked out of your house or office, you will be prepared to pick the lock yourself. Carry the necessary tools in your vehicle so that you always have what you need.Or, Call In ProfessionalsIf you feel you cannot accomplish this task, you can always count on to connect you with reliable locksmiths in your area. Our service allows you to first explain your locksmith needs and we go to work finding you the right help. It’s fast, free and easy.
Lock History: Locks Through the AgesThe oldest known locking mechanism dates back more than 6,000 years, discovered in. The ancient Egyptians developed a similar technology and are generally credited with creating the, which was a basic pin tumbler lock made entirely from wood. They were also the first to incorporate this feature into their architecture as a means of security.This lock was made up of a wooden post attached to the door and a bolt that could slide horizontally into the post.
The bolt was outfitted with a set of openings that were filled with pins, and a large wooden key was created with pegs that matched the holes and pins. If the key was placed into the opening and lifted up, then the pins would move and allow the security bolt to be moved as well. The Greeks and Romans made many innovations to lock technology during their respective eras. Greek locks were not considered to be overly secure, but their ideas served as an inspiration for later technologies developed by the Romans. The most significant change made by the Romans was switching the predominate material from which locks were made from wood to metal. Iron locks also allowed for keys to be reduced down to a more modern-day size.People would often wear their keys as pendants or even have them infused into rings, both for safe-keeping and as an indicator of wealth. If you had a key, you were bound to have something valuable enough to need protecting..
After a period of advancement in the Roman age, l ocks went through a dark age in which no major innovations were made again until the 18th century. When made “ a lock far more secure than any hitherto made” in 1778, his double-acting tumbler lock, it marked the emergence of a new era of lock technology that has led all the way to the modern age of locksmithing.Today the broad spectrum of different locks is innumerable, and each design has its pros and cons depending on the desired function and setting in which the lock will be utilized. You use locks every day, so it is important to understand the different options available to you when considering both functionality and security. This list of 23 types of locks includes the most common locks seen in the United States, as well as useful information about their form and function to better inform you about the locks in your life.. Combination locks are padlocks that require a specific number sequence in order to unlatch the locking mechanism. These can have either a single dial or multiple dials, though the single dial locks most commonly seen on school lockers and safes are actually considered more secure than the multi-dial locks often used in bike locks and on briefcases.The first combination lock was invented by in 1857, and the modern-day combination lock was developed by using his father’s pin tumbler lock technology in conjunction with Sargent’s invention.
Unfortunately, these locks are relatively easy to pick or crack.. Deadbolts are generally thought of as being more secure than the standard spring lock because they cannot be opened unless a key is used to rotate the lock cylinder to the open position. You often see these used on homes and other exterior doors as an additional layer of security in combination with a less-secure lock.The first deadbolt, or “jimmy-proof lock” was invented by, who founded Segal Lock & Hardware Company in 1912.
His design was intended to as the practice of jimmying locks became more widespread. Today, there are three main variations of the basic deadbolt, as well as the jimmy proof deadbolt fashioned after Segal’s invention. 4. Single Cylinder. For maximum security, a lockable thumbturn style deadbolt is recommended because the door can be locked from both the inside and outside.It is a hybrid of the single and double cylinder locks, with a key cylinder on one side and a thumbturn that can be locked with a key on the other.
When people are home, the inner thumbturn can be left in the unlocked position, and the door will operate like a standard single cylinder deadbolt. If the thumbturn is locked, no one on the outside or inside can operate the lock. 7. Jimmy Proof Deadbolts. Knob locks are commonly used on the exterior doors of homes in combination with a deadbolt lock.
They are a simple form of spring lock and not very secure because the cylinder is in the knob and not in the door.Unfortunately, the knob can be knocked off the door with a hammer, pliers, or the application of enough force, making the fact that these locks are relatively easy to pick almost irrelevant. A knob lock should never be used as the only lock on an exterior door, and though they were once popular in a variety of applications, knob locks are best used as interior locks in a residential setting. 9. Lever Handle Locks. Rim latch locks are a specific style of lock that utilize the earlier mentioned rim cylinder.
They have a rim latch on one side of the door and a latch lock mounted on the surface of the other side.Rim latch locks are unique in that they can be designed to auto lock when the door shuts and are found in many newer apartment complexes. These locks are not designed to withstand a significant amount of force, though, and should always be accompanied by another form of lock when used on exterior doors. 14. Key In Knob (KIK) Cylinders.
While key in knob cylinders are extremely common, you probably didn’t realize you were using them. The KIK cylinder is not its own type of lock so much as the type of cylinder found within several of the locks listed above. They are found in most knob locks, lever locks, and even some deadbolts.There is no standardized design for these cylinders, meaning they can be harder to replace when switching between different brands. KIK cylinders can come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes and can have either a floating or fixed tailpiece. Euro Profile Cylinders. One of the most useful things about some smart locks is that they can be added directly on top of your existing locks.
There are many options to consider when choosing a smart lock, based predominantly on your level of comfort with the technology and the purpose for which the lock is being used. Which Locks Are You Using?As technology continues to change and advance, locks may take on an entirely new look and be utilized in a wider range of applications, but the basic function will remain the same. Locks have been used throughout the ages and will c ontinue to play a significant role in society as long as people have things they wish to protect.Here at, we understand the importance of protecting not just your belongings, but also your family and your home. We have serviced more than 3 million locks since our company started in 1995, and we put our 20+ years of locksmith experience to work to make sure your locks are secure.As America’s Largest Residential Locksmith®, we offer a wide variety of services and can repair, replace, or install most of the locks listed above.
We offer all of our services at an affordable, upfront price that is backed by our 100% Lifetime Workmanship Guarantee..