Have you ever lost your keys to an old trunk? Well, people often lose their keys to old trunks as they do not use them every day. They mostly contain family memorabilia or other old stuff. Old locks can become damaged as they are not used frequently. Rust can destroy old locks because of their maintenance. The lock will not unlock in this case, even if you have the key. Contact Lock Repair and Replacement in Schiller Park if you are also facing this problem. If there is no damage to the lock, then you can attempt to pick it without keys. This article will go through all the steps to pick a trunk lock.
Common Trunk Lock Types
Combination Lock or Padlock
Some trunks do not have locks installed in them. People use padlocks or combination locks to lock these types of trunks. These locks are much easier to pick than locks installed in the trunk.
How to pick a Combination Lock or Padlock
You will need a pair of bolt cutters for this. We will use the bolt cutter to cut the padlock as these locks are not very durable against a bolt cutter. You can also pick the lock with a paper clip or bobby pin.
Combination locks have a number dial on them and a knob. It unlocks when the knob rotates both clockwise and counterclockwise. When you enter the correct number, it releases the internal locking dog, which ultimately opens the lock’s shackle. You can use a bolt cutter, as mentioned above.
You can also use a drill to unlock combination locks. Drill a small hole in the back of the lock. You will be able to see inside the lock. As a result, you will see the number that lines up with the tumbler gates. Note down the numbers. Try different combinations of those numbers until you get it right.
Warded Locks
These types of locks have obstructions called wards that prevent it from opening the lock to any key other than the original key. These are one of the oldest locks and are not for high-security. It has a simple mechanism. Now, someone without experience can confuse a warded lock with a lever lock. Some signs can help you identify a warded lock.
- The shaft is round, and the grooves are in a rectangular shape
- The keyway is hollow. You can use a flashlight to see inside it. If it does not have any pins, then it is most certainly a warded lock.
How to Pick Warded Locks?
Skeleton keys are the most useful against a warded lock. It is challenging to create a skeleton lock, but if you have the right tools and know-how to inspect a lock, you will do it. The warded locks have notches inside them that prevent the key from getting inside. We will make the skeleton keys after the key impression. This process will copy the design of the key so that you can make a key of your own with the same design.
You can also use two normal-sized wires. Bend these wires and put them in the keyway. You will first have to locate the tumbler. Use the wires to lift the tubular up and open the lock.
Pin Tumbler Locks
Pin Tumbler Locks are also used in trunks. It is not easy to pick a pin tumbler lock. The lock’s keyway is very small, and the other parts inside the lock are very closely installed next to each other. These locks have upper pins and lower pins in them. It also has a rotatable cylinder tube which is called the plug. When it is in lock position, the plug can not rotate because of the pins stopping it. The plug will only rotate if all the pins raise at the right height, which should be above the plug’s shear line.
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How to Pick Pin Tumbler Locks?
It isn’t easy to pick a pin tumbler lock without any locksmith experience. It will take a lot of time to pick it successfully. However, you can contact Key Duplication in Schiller Park in case of any problems.
You can use a shim to unlock pin tumbler locks. Set down the shim at the bottom of the plug. Push it forward until the shim comes in contact with the upper pins in the last of the lock. You can then use a pick or pin to lift the upper pin until it is above the shear line. Hold it in this position and try to separate all the pins using the shim. After separating all the pins, try to rotate the plug and unlock it.
Another method to open the pin tumbler lock is by using a tension wrench and a rake pick. You can use the tension wrench to apply pressure on the lock in a clockwise direction. After applying pressure, insert the rake pick inside and rake the pins slowly backward and forwards.
Conclusion
The combination locks or padlocks are easy to open in comparison with warded locks and pin tumbler locks. Warded locks are mostly used in old trunks and are not considered high-security locks. In contrast, pin tumbler locks are relatively difficult to pick and unlock. It would be best if you had some practice and patience to unlock it.