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The Underground Guide to Lock Picking
Disclaimer: This guide is for educational and informational purposes only. Only use your skills for good, respect property laws, and never attempt to pick any lock that does not belong to you or without explicit authorization 

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Step 1: Understand How Most Locks Work
The two pins in each column aren't the same length, but they are set so that if each key pin is pushed up a certain height, the point where the two pins meet aligns with the shear line, allowing the shell to rotate. If the wrong key is inserted or there is no key, the shell cannot rotate because misaligned pins block the way.
Step 2: Acquire Some Lock Picks
While people try using bobby pins or paper clips, it is extremely hard to pick a lock using them. The most effective method is single pin picking, which involves a tension wrench and a hook pick.The Tension Wrench: A small piece of metal used to apply rotational force to the shell.
The Hook Pick: Used to precisely manipulate individual pins.
The Practice Lock: Highly recommended to purchase a clear acrylic practice lock so you can visibly see the pins, springs, and shear line moving in real time.
Step 3: Using the Tension Wrench
Insert your tension wrench into the bottom of the keyhole and push it gently to one side. You must keep maintaining light pressure on the tension wrench the entire time you are trying to pick the lock. It should be pushed hard enough to give it a slight bend and cause the shell to micro-rotate, but not so hard that the pins bind completely solid. Pressure should match the natural clockwise direction a key would turn.
Step 4: Picking the Lock
With tension applied, slide your hook pick into the space above the wrench all the way to the back of the shell.Find the Rogue Pin: Push up on each pin column. Most will move freely up and down, but one will feel significantly stiffer and harder to push this is your binding pin.
Set the Pin: Push the rogue pin up gently until you hear and feel a distinct click. The pin will stay locked in place at the shear line rather than falling back down.
Repeat: Search the remaining active pins for the next rogue pin, repeating the process until all pins are set and the core rotates open.
Reset: If you over pick a pin and nothing turns, release tension completely to drop all pins back down and start over.
Sources: https://www.instructables.com/How-to-Pick-Locks-1/
Tags: @Scarlet @iblamexyz @GandysOrbitals @Askinov @browgi27

