Techniques of the locksmith are suited to carry out their jobs with ease and style. I mean, you would probably need their help if you locked yourself out There are a few basic ones that come in handy when they come around:
First, it us important to note that there are different types of locks, and the type of lock most probably determines the type of technique used
Some of the more popular ones include:
Lever, Pin-cylinder, wafer, combination, discs..
The most common everyday lock is the standard pin tumbler lock.
There are some locks that have dedicated picks for them, for instance the ‘wafer’ has ‘wafer rakes…’
When you are locked out, there are a few techniques that the lock smith can use to get you in:
1. Bypass: In this, the locksmith does not get close to the lock at all. the lock mechanism is spared and prevented from damage. It involves exploiting weakpoints in a lock to bypass the locking mechanism. Bypassing is usually used for combinatiom locks. For simple combination locks, the padlock shim technique can be used. In this technique, a thin metal plate is slid between the body and the shackle.
For some other combination locks, pressure is applied at either end while the lock is turned until it is difficult to turn, this resistance point is recorded. This process is repeated and then the values (which must be whole numbers) can be entered into an online calculator which can generate possible combinations for the locks.
Warded locks can be bypassed by making use of warded keys, which are also known as skeleton keys. These keys work by bypassing the warded locking mechanism inside the lock itself.
There are quite a number of bypass tools in use, the car bypass tool, the peterson bypass tool set, Super Mica bypass shims, gatebypass device.
2. Picking: This involves actually altering the lock mechanism. the Lock might be damaged in this type of method-but hey, who cares, as long as you are inside!
Lock picking involves two basic types of tool sets, a torque wrench and a pick. In the absence of these, you can use bobby pins, paper clips, and butter knives as alternatives.
This method involves manipulating the tumblers of a lock by hand. It has the same basic working principle but there are slight differences based on the type of lock involved.
3. Destructive Entry: This involves breaking or damaging a lock directly in order to gain entrance. It can involve brute force and direct impact.
4. Impressioning: An exquisite and clean technique that also has another plus- You get a new key available, so you never have to pick that lock again.
It involves inserting a blank key into the lock, and the blank key is manipulated in such a way that the lock leaves impressions on it. These impressions are filed and then the cycle repeated until the lock opens and there, you have a functional key for it!
These are major techniques employed by the locksmith depending on the type of lock and time frame. What method is used is a matter of personal preference by the locksmith company.