MIT Guide to Lock Picking Ted the Tool February 14, 1992 Copyright 1987, 1991 Theodore T. Tool. All right reserved. Permission to reproduce this document on a non-profit basis is granted provided that this copyright and distribution notice is included in full. The information in this booklet is provided for educational purposes only. August 1991 revision. Contents
1 It's Easy 2 How a Key Opens a Lock 3 The Flatland Model 4 Basic Picking & The Binding Defect 5 The Pin Column Model 6 Basic Scrubbing 7 Advanced Lock Picking 7.1 Mechanical Skills 7.2 Zen and the Art of Lock Picking 7.3 Analytic Thinking 8 Exercises 8.1 Exercise 1: Bouncing the pick 8.2 Exercise 2: Picking Pressure 8.3 Exercise 3: Picking Torque 8.4 Exercise 4: Identifying Set Pins 8.5 Exercise 5: Projections 9 Recognizing and Exploiting Personality Traits 9.1 Which Way To Turn 9.2 How Far to Turn 9.3 Gravity 9.4 Pins Not Setting 9.5 Elastic Deformation 9.6 Loose Plug 9.7 Pin Diameter 9.8 Beveled Holes and Rounded pins 9.9 Mushroom Driver Pins 9.10 Master Keys 9.11 Drivers or Spacer Enters Keyway 9.12 Vibration Picking 9.13 Disk Tumblers 10 Final Remarks Appendix A Tools A.1 Pick Shapes A.2 Street cleaner bristles A.3 Bicycle spokes A.4 Brick Strap