TUCoPS :: Physical Security :: newlocks.txt

New lock mechanisms



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                     HOW TO OPEN NEW, MODERN LOCKS

                                  by

                              KRACKMASTER
                                                                      12/1/90
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LOCK I: Medeco Locks

        It has come to my attention that you lockpickers out there don't
know how to pick those high-security locks by Medeco.  Those locks are
patented until the year 1995 I believe and can cost up to $75 to replace
because of this.  Anyway, I have known a way to pick these locks for
awhile now and I thought I would share them with you.

        First of all, you all must share some sort of idea on how locks
work.  With this information you will understand how the Medeco lock
works.  If you do not have this understanding, I would prefer you read
other articles on lockpicking before you read this since it will be
somewhat difficult to understand.  I will try to make this as simple and
plain as I can because I know how difficult it is to pick locks.  BTW,
read my previous file called "Locksmithing" to learn about locks.  Now
for the good stuf

        These types of locks are found on most condominiums, office
buildings, etc that require a great deal of security.  The lock is
sometimes referred to as an angular pin tumbler lock simply because of
how the lock works.  It is a pin tumbler lock with 6 or 7 pins.  Instead
of the cuts in the key being on a horizontal plane, they are cut at an
angle.  This company did this to prevent any type of foreign object such
as picks to enter the keyhole since it is very tight and restricted.

        In order to pick this lock, you must know how to use the
"racking" technique.  Practice on regular pin tumblers to get an idea
and the feel for this.  Anyway, the pick for this type of lock is the
normal diamond pick.  However, one modification is necessary to make
this pick effective.  The tip of the pick must be slightly twisted to a
15 degree angle in order to pick any type of Medeco (or Medeco looking)
locks.

        To twist the diamond pick's tip, use a propane torch to heat the
tip for about 20-30 seconds.  Wait till it turns blue.  With a pair of
pliers, gently twist the tip 15 degrees.  It may lose some of its temper
when you pick and too much stress may break the tip off completely.
After it has cooled, carefully file it to a wedge-like shape and keep
the angle even.  If it still can't fit into the lock, try grinding off
the bottom of the pick's shaft along its whole length until it slides in
with little 

	Here's how the end product will look like:

           before                             after

           |   |                              |   |
           |   |                              |   |
           |   |                              |   |
           |   |                              |   |
           |   |                              |   |
           |   |                              |   |
           \ | /                              \ \ /
            \ /                                \ /

                   top view of diamond pick

        Sorry, I know it's hard to see it but it's very difficult to
show exactly how it looks on a word processor.  Anyway, the "before
picture" shows that the tip (the highest point) of the pick is parallel
to the shaft.  In the "after picture", the tip is now twisted 15 degrees
to the left.  If you do not have a pick to use, you can make them from a
steak knife (draw the design on it and with a jigsaw, cut it out and
file it down).  The material of the diamond picks that I have are called
blue steel.  I ind any of those in my area in hobby shops.  I had to
order them thru a catalog like "Delta Press" or "Soldier of Fortune."

        Okay, now that you have made this pick, you must make a tension
wrench especially made for this type of lockpicking.  When picking
Medeco locks, play with the tension is so very important!  This is why a
new tension wrench is necessary.  Sure, you could use a standard tension
wrench but the feel and the torque would not be accurate and consistent
so you would have a much difficult time picking this lock.

        To make this tension wrench which is sometimes called the
feather-touch or spring tension wrenches, you first need to get a
spring.  You know the big ones that are found on the bottom of the
drapes in a hotel, motel, lobby, etc.  They are about 5 or so inches
long and the hold down the cords that open and close the curtains of a
large window.  You need to get one of those or something very similar to
it.  You then have to do some filing in order to make it very small and
thin.  Here is a diagram of tension wrench like this should look like:



                                 _________
                                /         |
                                \_________|___
                                            //
                                          //
                                        //
                                          //
                                            //
                                          //
                                        //
                                          //
                                            //
                                          //
                                        //
                                          //
                                            //
                                          //
                                        //
                                          //
                                            //


	One of the spring's end is pulled out with a plier.  It is then bent back in and shaped like half of a horsetrack.  This is where it is put into the keyhole.  You would need to shape it and file it down so that it will fit into the lock.  You would use this like any other tension wrench but the feel will be much better and sensitive.  Practice on other locks to get the feel for it before attempting to pick the Medeco.  Have fun...



LOCK II: Puzzle Locks

        Some residential and most business doors use these puzzle locks
that have 4 or 5 numbers that must be pressed in sequence in order to
open the door.  Sometimes called push-button locks.  They look something
like this:


                ___________________________________
               |                  __               |
               |           |     /  \              |
               |           |     \__/              |
               |                                   |
               |          __      __               |
               |          __|    /  \              |
               |         |__     \__/              |
               |                                   |
               |          __      __               |
               |          __|    /  \              |
               |          __|    \__/              |
               |                                   |
               |                  __               |
               |         |__|    /  \              |
               |            |    \__/              |
               |                                   |
               |          __      __               |
               |         |__     /  \              |
               |          __|    \__/              |
               |                                   |
               |                                   |
               |            _____________          |
               |           /             \         |
               |          /               \        |
               |         |                 |       |
               |         |    door knob    |       |
               |          \               /        |
               |           \_____________/         |
               |                                   |
               |___________________________________|

	Here is the technique that I've found to find the combination.
		
	1)  Turn the knob and push each button.  The button with the most
            resistance is the first combination number.

	2)  Release the knob and press that button.  Now search for the second
            number by turning the knob again and pushing each button.

	3)  Release the knob and press the button that had the most resistance.

	4)  Repeat until all numbers are found.

        Tips to remember:  Only one number is used once.  There will be
only 4 or 5 digit combinations out there.  Listen for the clicks when
you press the button, some give it away.



LOCK III: Push Button Combination Locks

        These locks are the small ones that have 10 buttons on the face
of the lock.  They look like the Master combination locks except that it
is rectangular not round.  The combination number for these types of
locks will generally be only 4 digits (I have not come across any locks
with more than 4 digits).  Each number is used only once.  The numbers
must be pushed in sequence.  For example, if the number is 1-3-5-9, you
have to push the buttons in that sequence not any number that contains
the 4 digits 3-9-1-5. These locks are soooooo easy to open it's
ridiculous!!!  I've known how to open this when it first came out and I
was shocked to find out how easy it was to open it and and even more
shocked to find that really no one knew how to open it.  First of all,
here is how the lock I am referring to looks like (again, please excuse
the crude diagram):

                                _______
                               / _____ \
                              / /     \ \
                            _/_/_______\_\_
                           |               |
                           |  1 O     6 O  |
                           |  2 O     7 O  |
                           |  3 O     8 O  |
                           |  4 O     9 O  |
                           |  5 O     0 O  |
                           |_______________|

        With 10 numbers and a 4-digit combination, you have a 1 in
10,000 chance of getting it. Let's bring that down to 256.  First, push
out all the buttons out.  Next, pull the shackle up and down and watch
the buttons.  See how many of those actually move.  There should be only
4.  These are the numbers to the combination.  You see, inside the lock
the buttons are not connected to the locking mechanism except for the 4
buttons used in the combination.  Okay, now you have to guess.  I would
make a chart track of what digits I used so that way I won't be wasting
I time pressing the same buttons twice or more.

        Here is a hint:  On some locks, you will hear and feel a click
on the shackle when you press the right button.  In other words, when
you narrow your choices to 4 numbers, you don't have any idea which is
first.  When you press a button and it doesn't make a sound, push it
back out and try another one again.  When you found it, move on to the
next digit and so forth.

        It's really very easy.  It has taken only about 10 minutes or
less to open one of these. Some has taken less than 3 minutes!


        Well, that's it for now.  I'll try to stay on top of any more
locks that come out and keep you informed about them.  Just remember
that there is no lock out there that you can't open.  It just takes some
common sense and a lot of ingenuity!  Not to mention practice, practice,
practice!!!!  I have opened nearly every type of lock out there and have
made so many ad-hoc tools you wouldn't believe.  If I had to carry them
all, I would need a backpack or something.  The tools I always carry
with me are t ion wrench and diamond pick.  They will open nearly all
the pin tumbler locks you come across including some vehicle locks.

        I will be writing a file about electronic locks that are out
there some time in the future.  It involves making a random sound
generator for one type of lock and an electromagnetic field producer for
another.  Hopefully if you people out there are interested in this, I
will be writing it sooner.  If not, I'll get to it when I'm not too
busy.  If you want more information about this or any topic in my other
file, just let me know.

        DISCLAIMER:  I do not condone this type of activity to anyone.
This file is merely for informational purposes only!  Like another
gentlemen (lockpicking artist) said and I will borrow it here:  I am
just a gun seller not the one that pulls the trigger.  I have been
locked out of the house at some point in time and have used these skills
to let myself in. I do not break into other people's homes or cars to
steal or wreak havoc in any form.

        Also remember that possession of lock pick tools is a felony in
most states.  Only journeymen, professionals, or apprentices with proper
id can obtain and can carry lock pick tools.  Once a pick is inserted
into a lock, it is considered "breaking and entering" and a FELONY
subject to prosecution!  Be careful out there...

	

       |\/\/\/\/|
       |        |
       |        |
       |  (o) (o)       _______________________
       |     _) |      /                       |
      (    _____\     /   This has been a KMP  |
        | (___(      <                         |
        |     /       \         DUDES!!!       |
        /_____\        \_______________________|
       /       \

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