Miracle Lock Picking While the basic themes of lockpicking and uninvited entry have not changed too much in the last few years, some modern devices and techniques HAVE appeared on the scene... AUTOS Many older autos can still be opened by easily with a SLIM JIM type opener (these and other auto locksmithing techniques are covered fully in the book, IN THE STEAL OF THE NIGHT. Look for it at the next gun-show in your town.); however, many modern cars have built covers over the lock mechanism, or have moved the goodies so the Slim Jim will not function... So... AMERICAN LOCKSMITH SERVICE P.O. Box 26 Culver City, CA 90230 Carries a new and improved Slim Jim that is 30" long and only 3/4" wide so it will both reach and slip through the new car lock covers. Price is $5.75 plus $2.00 postage and handling. General Motors cars have always been a bane to people who needed to open them, because the sidebar locking unit they employ is very difficult to pick. To further complicate matters, the new GM cars do employ metal shields to make the use of a Slim Jim type instrument very difficult... So... LOCK TECHNOLOGY CORP. 685 Main St. New Rochelle, NY 10801 Offers a cute little gizmo which will easily remove the lock cylinder without harm and let you enter and/or start the vehicle. GMC-40 sells for $56.00 plus $2.00 postage and handling. The best general automobile opening kit is probably the set of lockout tools offered by: STECK MFG COPR. 1319 W Stewart St. Dayton, OH 45408 For $29.95 one can purchase a complete set of 6 carbon steel lockout tools that will open 95%+ of the cars around. Kwikset locks have become quite popular as one-step-up security locks for buildings. They are a bit harder to pick and do offer a higher degree of privacy than a normal, builder installed, door lock. So... Kwikset locks can be handily disassembled and the door opened, without harm to either the lock or the door, by using a KIWK-OUT tool sold by: A MFG 1151 Wallace SE Massilon, OH 44646 Price is $11.95, but if you are too lazy to pick auto locks... VEEHOF SUPPLY Box 361 Storm Lake, IO 50588 Still sells tryout keys for most cars. Price averages about $20.00 a set. Updated Lock Picking: For years, there have been a number of pick attack procedures for most pin and disc tumbler lock systems. In reverse order of ease they are: Normal picking: Using a pick set to align the pins, one by one, until the shear line is set and lock opens. Raking: This method uses picks that are constructed wth a series of bumps, or diamond shaped notches. these picks are "raked", i.e., run over all pins at one time. With luck, the pins will raise into the open position and stay there. Raking, if successful, can be much less effort than standard picking is. Lock Aid Gun: This gun shaped device was invented a number of years ago and has found applicatin with many locksmiths and security personnel. Basically, a needle shaped pick is inserted in the snout of the "gun" and the "trigger" is pulled. This action snaps the pick up and down strongly. If the tip is slipped under the pins, they will also be snapped up and down strongly. With a bit of luck, they will strike each other and separate at the shear line for a split second. When this happens the lock will open. The Lock Aid gun is not 100% successful, but when it does work, the results are quite dramatic. I have opened locks with one snap of the trigger, impressing the hell out of casual bystanders.... Vibrator: Some crafty people have mounted a needle pick onto an electric toothbrush power unit. This vibrating effect will sometimes open pin tumbler locks; like instantly... Technology to the rescue! There is now another method to open pin and wafer locks in a very short time. Although it resembles the toothbrush pick in appearance, it is actually and electronic device. I am speaking of the COBRA PICK. Designed and sold by: FEDCORP P.O. Box 569 Scottsdale, AZ 85252 The Cobra uses two 9-volt batteries, teflon bearings (for less noise) and a cam-roller. It comes with three picks (for different types of locks) and works both in America and overseas on pin or wafer locks. It will open common door type locks in 3 to 7 seconds with no damage (in the hands of an experienced locksmith). It can take a few seconds more, or even half a minute in the hands of someone with no experience. How much for this toy that will open most locks in 7 seconds? $235 plus $4.50 handling. If none of these cute, safe and sane ideas appeal to you, you can always fall back on the magic thermal lance... The thermal lance is a rather crude instrument constructed from 3/8" hollow magnesium rods. Each "tube" comes in a 10" length, but can be cut down if desired. Each one is threaded on one end. To use the lance, you screw the tube together with a mated regulator (like a welding outfit uses) and hook up an oxygen tank. the oxygen is turned on and the hollwo rod is lit with a welding igniter. The device produces an incredible amount of heat. It is used for cutting up concrete blocks or even rocks. An active lance will go through a foot of steel in a few seconds. The lance, also known as a burning bar, is available from: C.O.L. MFG 7748 W Addison Chicago, IL 60634