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How do keys work? Explained in one Gif

theultralinx.com

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Re: How do keys work? Explained in one Gif

#11

Post by SquareWheel »

Locks are a relatively simple a fun mechanism to play with. Lock picking can be explained similarly. It's essentially simulating that key by popping the pins up to the shear line (the horizontal plane) and applying tension via your tension/torsion tool so the pin doesn't fall down. Then move onto the next one. If you get all pins to the shear line, the lock opens.

It's also a pretty cheap hobby to get into. Though the legality varies by country/state so do check into that first if interested.

Re: How do keys work? Explained in one Gif

#13

Post by jjclarkson »

jjclarkson wrote: post #6

This design is a good visual for why lock bumping is fairly easy on most residential locks. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lock_bumping

On residential locks the tolerances on each pin's traveling cylinder are loose enough to allow you to apply shearing force on the pin by holding the lock tight (as if trying to open it) and quickly bump each pin up so they land on the salient edge of the entire cylinder block and avoid dropping back into a locking position.

Re: How do keys work? Explained in one Gif

#14

Post by gggggggg »

gggggggg wrote: post #5

That's a great way to explain it. However, can anyone explain how lock picking works, that GIF makes it seem like it would be very difficult. On TV at least they do it in a matter of moments.

From the source this might help explain:

Nitesh - yesterday Related, the flaws in the machining of the pin chambers is what you exploit while lock picking. You turn the lock slightly, then use another tool to push pins up one at a time, and hopefully when they come down they get stuck on the top of the lower pin chamber. Once you do that with every pin, it's unlocked.

Re: How do keys work? Explained in one Gif

#15

Post by SquareWheel »

gggggggg wrote: post #5

That's a great way to explain it. However, can anyone explain how lock picking works, that GIF makes it seem like it would be very difficult. On TV at least they do it in a matter of moments.

I just wrote a quick explanation above, but let me know if you want more detail. Picking difficulty varies quite greatly by number of pins, number of security pins (some are tougher!), quality of the lock (the imperfections make it possible), and the tool/experience you have.

I'm also by no means an expert, just somebody interested in the hobby.

Re: How do keys work? Explained in one Gif

#16

Post by vinhboy »

mepet wrote: post #10
nsxwolf wrote: post #4

I'd like to see a version of the gif done with lock picks.

http://i.imgur.com/kaOa0G3.gif Here's a version I found on reddit a while back.

what exactly is that little dirt stain that moves from cylinder to cylinder supposed to be? is it supposed to represent tension or something?

Re: How do keys work? Explained in one Gif

#17

Post by sev »

mepet wrote: post #10
nsxwolf wrote: post #4

I'd like to see a version of the gif done with lock picks.

http://i.imgur.com/kaOa0G3.gif Here's a version I found on reddit a while back.

Interesting. What is that little gold-ish looking thing that moves from one pin to the other in this gif?

Re: How do keys work? Explained in one Gif

#18

Post by tptacek »

vinhboy wrote: post #16
mepet wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

http://i.imgur.com/kaOa0G3.gif Here's a version I found on reddit a while back.

what exactly is that little dirt stain that moves from cylinder to cylinder supposed to be? is it supposed to represent tension or something?

It's the currently binding cylinder. With the right amount of tension applied via the wrench, one pin binds at a time, which is what allows you to set the pins one at a time.

Re: How do keys work? Explained in one Gif

#19

Post by macalicious »

sev wrote: post #17
mepet wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

http://i.imgur.com/kaOa0G3.gif Here's a version I found on reddit a while back.

Interesting. What is that little gold-ish looking thing that moves from one pin to the other in this gif?

It's suppose to show you which pin is the correct one. The lock picker obviously can't know that's why he tries all of them.

Re: How do keys work? Explained in one Gif

#20

Post by tadfisher »

sev wrote: post #17
mepet wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

http://i.imgur.com/kaOa0G3.gif Here's a version I found on reddit a while back.

Interesting. What is that little gold-ish looking thing that moves from one pin to the other in this gif?

When you turn a lock, small machining defects mean that more load is borne by one pin than the others. Pushing up that pin while applying torque (using the allen wrench in the GIF) will cause that pin to be held up, which applies more load to some other pin.
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