13 Locksmithing: What should I do after I read a book?
Description
This article is from the Locksmithing FAQ, by Joe "Spike" Ilacqua spike@indra.com and Henry Schaffer hes@ncsu.edu, major data collection effort by Scott Anguish sanguish@digifix.com with numerous contributions by others.
13 Locksmithing: What should I do after I read a book?
After some reading, then the next thing is some experience. Go to
K-Mart, buy a deadbolt lock for around $10, and take the entire thing
apart (you'll need tools like screwdrivers, and perhaps a pair of
pliers) to see how a pin tumbler lock works. K-Mart carries a clone
of the Kwikset deadbolt which is made to be very easy to take apart.
(Key-in-knob locksets are both more expensive and harder to take
apart.)
You then can practice picking this lock by leaving out all but one
stack of pins. This will be exceedingly easy to pick, and will mostly
provide experience in manipulating the pick and tension wrench. Then
put in one more pin stack and try again - feeling when one stack is
picked and the plug rotates minutely - so little that it is felt rather
than seen. Then when the second one is picked that will let the plug
move, unlocking the lock. Keep on adding stacks. Try picking with the
curved finger (or feeler) pick, and also raking.
As you get involved in doing some elementary locksmithing, also learn
about the quality of hardware and how to pick appropriate hardware for
the projected use. There is a quality grade based on testing by ANSI
(the American National Standards Institute) which give an indication of
the resistance of a lockset to wear and unauthorized entry.
+ Grade 1 - commercial quality for heavy use
+ Grade 2 - heavier residential use and light commercial use
+ Grade 3 - light residential use (widely used for residential
use where cost is the primary consideration, most locksmiths
would recommend Grade 2 as a minimum.
There are also many people on the net who are willing to help in
various areas. Posting a question on alt.locksmithing can help find
someone. One person who is willing to offer free advice about
old doors and door locks is Dr. Dorlock (keyl@airmail.net) who tells us,
"My only interest is saving old doors from "butchery" by professionals
who do not know new solutions to old problems." Write him or check his
web page.
(Don't write to him about lockpicking.)
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