Know about Common Tools for Lock Picking

There are various tools like Lock Pick Sets that an experienced lock picker will use, but there are only a few that you need to be aware of if you are just trying to get your door open to get your keys or access the shed out back that you lost your keys to. The two main tools are a tension wrench of some kind and an actual lock pick tool.

A tension wrench is a small piece of metal shaped into a 90-degree turn or "L" shape. It is placed into the lock and used to turn it once you have worked the lock. The tension wrench works just like a key. Because it has to be able to turn the lock or handle you are working on, it need to be strong enough not to break off in the lock, but it has to be small enough to fit in the lock while still leaving room for the lock pick itself to do its job. You can buy tension wrenches from security, hardware and locksmith catalogs as well as some places online, or you can make your own. The best way to make your own is to use a small Allen wrench and file down one side so it fits into the lock you are working on.

Lock picks come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, but for most simple locks you just need a simple pick. It will be a small flat piece of metal that fits into a keyhole, usually with a small rise or bump toward one end. You rake the bump across the pins in the lock, pushing them up while trying to get them to set into their holes. Once you have the pins set you use the tension wrench to open the lock.

Lock pick tools and Showcase Locks can be very expensive to purchase. I suggest fashioning your own lock pick set and practicing on simple locks around the house before investing a great deal of money in new tools. You may find that you don't have any need for so called professional tools to take care of all of your lock picking needs.