How Lock Picks Expose The Weaknesses Of Locks

People have been installing locks since 4,000 years ago. This was the time when people from Assyria installed devices made of wood that served the purpose of locking and securing their homes. For a long time, they were able to do the job effectively. However, thieves quickly caught up and they were able to defeat this earlier system. This prompted people to make improvements to the locks and just like their earlier counterparts; they were able to do the job of securing homes and properties. That is, until the thieves caught up. This game of tag went on for the centuries to come. In fact, it's still happening now.

 

Lock manufacturers are routinely making improvements to their locks to the delight of homeowners. In a way, these improved measures provide a feeling of security. For centuries, hearing a lock click in place is enough for people to feel safe when they turn in for the night. However, lock picks have exposed locks as nothing more than devices that offer a false sense of security.

 

Some of the most popular locks today feature pins or wafers that prevent the lock from opening. This was a good mechanism for the locks. Yes, it WAS a good mechanism. These locks had 5 or 6 pins of different heights and these pins block the path of the plug so that you can't turn it in order to open the lock. The right key has teeth of different heights. These teeth raise the pins gently upwards so that the pins will align with the shear line so you can turn the plug.

 

Now, these locks have 2 glaring weaknesses. First, the pins can be manipulated. Notice how the teeth of the key manipulate the pins in place. This means that in reality, all you need to do is to manipulate them until they're aligned with the shear line. In a way, the pins that were designed to arm the lock are the lock's most glaring weakness.

 

Of course, the key will need an access point so it can reach the pins. This is what the keyhole is for. This is the other glaring weakness of locks. The keyhole is basically a small door, an invitation if you will, for someone to try and manipulate the pins inside. Sure, the lock can secure your home's entry point. But what's securing the lock's entry point?

How to Remove a Broken Key From a Lock

It is common for individuals to use several different locks over the course of a day, and these locks may be for their home's front door, the door to an office at work, a car door, a car's ignition and more. Keys for these various locks can be made of different materials, and some may be very durable while others may be rather flimsy. It is most common for a less durable key to break off inside of a lock, and this often happens the key becomes stuck or jammed. The user may attempt to jiggle the key or loosen it from the lock. While it is more common for less durable keys to break off inside a lock, even the strongest and most durable keys can break too. When keys break inside locks, there are a few steps that you can take before you call a locksmith.

      

                    

A Magnet

 

Keys are typically made of metal, and because of this, they have magnetic properties. In some cases, it may be possible to pull the broken section of the key out of the lock by using a magnet. The magnet typically will need to be rather strong to pull a key out. You may be able to pull the key close enough to the edge of the keyhole opening to pull it out with tweezers or a similar tool, or you may be able to pull it entirely out with a magnet.

 

Extractor Set

If you have the ability to drive to a local hardware store, you may be able to invest in an extractor set that is designed specifically to remove broken keys from locks. This is a set of long, slender tools that have a hook at the end of them. They can slide into most locks alongside the edge of the key, and the hook can be used to latch onto the key and pull it out. These sets are rather affordable in comparison to the price of locksmith services. However, keep in mind that it can take time and effort to use the extractor tools. Furthermore, if your key has broken off inside the car door lock or your car's ignition keyhole, running to the store to buy an extractor set may not be a feasible option.

 

If you have tried to extract the key on your own with no success or you do not have a magnet or extractor set available to you, you should consider calling a locksmith for assistance. A locksmith will have the tools and experience necessary to remove the broken key from the lock. While the locksmith is assisting with this need, he can also assist with the creation of a new key to replace the one that has broken.